Taiwanese President
Visit Nicaragua
Taiwanese President Chen
Shui-bian began a visit
to Nicaragua on Sunday
as he faced criticism at
home over financial
pledges he has made
during his Central
American tour.
Chen was met at
Manugua's international
airport by President
Daniel Ortega and his
wife as well as cabinet
officials at the start
of his three-day visit
designed to bolster ties
to Nicaragua and shore
up diplomatic support
for Taiwan, local media
reported.
"It is my hope during
this state visit that we
can increase the bonds
of cooperation between
the two countries," said
Chen, who was
accompanied by a large
delegation including
business executives.
It was the second visit
to Nicaragua by Chen
this year to offer
assistance to Ortega's
Sandinista government
while drumming up
backing for Taiwan's bid
to join the United
Nations.
Chen arrived in
Nicaragua as an
opposition lawmaker on
Sunday criticized the
president over his
generous financial
commitments made during
his visit to Central
America.
Chen's pledges included
a five-million US dollar
loan to Honduras while
visiting the country
last week and the
possible construction of
a hydraulic power plant
there at a cost of 300
million dollars.
A legislator from the
leading opposition
Kuomintang (KMT) blasted
Chen's financial
largesse.
"Chen lavished money
during his trip to
Central America, but the
measure is a failure,"
KMT legislator Justin
Chou said.
"This is just a waste of
taxpayers' money."
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