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Costa Rica Insists It Did Not Mean to Offend
Taiwan
Costa Rica said Tuesday its vote against
Taiwan's efforts to become a full member of the
World Health Organization (WHO) was simply a
matter of "procedure" and not meant to offend
the island.
The WHO on May 14 rejected the island's bid to
join for the 11th time since its first
application in 1997. It was the first time
Taipei had applied using the title "Taiwan. "
The Costa Rican Foreign Ministry's Foreign
Policy Director Christian Guillermet told media
in the Central American country that the vote
was procedural. The change had been proposed by
allies of Taiwan in an effort to pave the way
for WHO membership for the island.
In Taipei, Costa Rica's position and that of
other traditional allies of the island was taken
as a "slap in the face," especially in the light
of the hefty aid the Asian country provides to
San Jose.
Several political sectors in Taiwan expressed
fear that ties with Central America, where it
has had great support, may be getting weaker.
Costa Rica has no diplomatic ties with China,
although Beijing has made several efforts to
reverse the situation.
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