Taiwan frets over signs Costa Rica may break ties

TAIPEI, June 6 (Reuters) Taiwan officials are closely monitoring Costa Rica, a diplomatic ally of 63 years, to stop it from switching allegiance to Taiwan's powerful arch-rival China, a foreign ministry spokesman said today.

If Costa Rica broke ties it would leave Taiwan with 24 allies, most of them small developing nations, compared to more than 170 countries that recognise Beijing and would be a setback to the island's drive to raise its status on the world stage.

China seeks to isolate Taiwan diplomatically to force its agenda of reunification. Since losing Taiwan after civil war in 1949, Beijing leaders have maintained that self-ruled Taiwan is part of its territory rather than a separate country.

Costa Rica and China have had contacts that began with a United Nations encounter in September, said Taiwan Foreign Ministry spokesman David Wang.

Last month the Central American country voted against Taiwan's bid for World Health Organisation membership -- a move Wang called a misunderstanding.

''We've got to get some information and go a step further in confirming things,'' Wang said. ''We must prepare for the worst.

We can't ignore it. We hope both sides can keep up relations.'' REUTERS NK PM0815