Taiwan leader set to make US transit stop

TAIPEI, Jan 5 (Reuters) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian will make an overnight transit stop in the United States en route to Central America, a presidential official said today, in a move that is certain to enrage China.

China, which has claimed Taiwan as its own since their split in 1949 when Communists defeated the Nationalists in a civil war, discourages diplomatic contacts with the island that might be seen as even tacit recognition of its government.

It is particularly opposed to visits by Taiwan leaders to the United States, a Chinese diplomatic ally but also a friend of Taiwan.

Chen will stay overnight in San Francisco on January 8 before departing early the next day for Nicaragua, one of the island's few diplomatic allies, said Presidential Office spokesman David Lee.

Chen will be in Nicaragua to attend the inauguration of President-elect Daniel Ortega.

For the return journey, Chen will transit in Los Angeles on around January 12, but will only stop long enough for the plan to refuel, said Lee, adding he had no knowledge of any plans for Chen to meet with US officials during the transits.

Chen will fly on an aircraft chartered from China Airlines Corp., the island's largest carrier, said Lee.

A US government source confirmed Taiwan had ''raised the possibility'' of a stopover in the United States, but that Washington had not made a final decision on the request.

Consideration would be given according to what is ''convenient'' and ''comfortable'' for the travellers, the source said.

Chen landed for several hours in the US territory of Guam in September 2006 during a South Pacific tour.

REUTERS AKJ BD1720