Taiwan should not be absent from U.N.: Nicaraguan president

Speaking at a luncheon that visiting President Ma Ying-jeou hosted for Taiwanese expatriates in Nicaragua, Ortega reiterated his country's friendship with Taiwan and its determination to support Taiwan's efforts to be integrated into the international community.

Ortega's words of friendship came a day after he failed to welcome Ma at the airport and attend a state banquet, raising speculation of tensions between the two countries.

But after apologizing to Ma earlier Saturday for his absences, Ortega said that based on solid ties between the two countries, Nicaragua and Taiwan will further bolster bilateral exchanges, particularly in the fields of trade, agriculture and education.

He welcomed Ma's proposal, made earlier in the day, to have Nicaraguan students to pursue advanced studies in Taiwan, and Nicaraguan citizens to receive vocational training in Taiwan.

"This is very good method to strengthen cultural exchanges between the two countries," Ortega said.

He also praised Ma's "modus vivendi" diplomatic approach and "diplomatic truce" concept in dealing with China, saying it has resulted in improved cross-Taiwan Strait relations and contributed to regional stability.

He also lauded the contributions that Taiwanese expatriates have made to Nicaragua. He said that ethnic Chinese immigrants in Nicaragua, whether from Taiwan or China, are all Nicaraguan citizens and have all made valuable contributions to Nicaragua's development.

Ma and his entourage arrived in the Nicaraguan capital of Managua July 3 for a two-day visit -- the second leg of his two-country Central American tour after Panama.

He is scheduled to return to Taiwan July 6 after a layover stay in Hawaii.

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