TAIPEI, Taiwan — President Chen Shui-bian said Monday that he will visit
Taiwan's allies in Central America and Africa next month in his first
diplomatic offensive since taking office — a trip certain to annoy China.
The two-week trip, beginning Aug. 13, will take Chen to the Dominican
Republic, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Gambia, Burkina Faso and Chad Republic,
which are among Taiwan's 29 diplomatic allies. Chen's trip will start with a
low-key visit to Los Angeles. ''Diplomacy will symbolize and highlight our
sovereignty,'' Chen said. China considers Taiwan a part of its territory and
not entitled to its own foreign relations. The rival governments have been
involved in a tug of war, using foreign aid and investment to lure away each
other's diplomatic allies.

Culled from USATODAY



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