El Salvador says to take Taiwan's case to UN

SAN SALVADOR, Aug 25 (Reuters) Salvadoran President Tony Saca vowed to support Taiwan's battle to join the United Nations when the UN Assembly General reconvenes in September, despite opposition from its arch-foe China.

''In September you'll hear El Salvador's voice in the United Nations supporting Taiwan,'' Saca said at a news conference yesterday with Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian, who is touring Central America to shore up dwindling support after Costa Rica switched allegiances to China.

El Salvador is one of just 24 mostly poor countries that officially recognize Taiwan, which has faced off with China ever since defeated Nationalist forces fled to the island at the end of a civil war in 1949.

Chen led a Taiwanese-Central American summit this week with the leaders of Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama and Belize. Taiwan also counts Honduras among its Central American allies, which it repays with aid and infrastructure financing.

China, which counts 170 diplomatic allies around the world, has regularly slammed Taiwan's fruitless attempts to join the United Nations. It considers Taiwan part of its territory and seeks to quash its diplomacy.

Chen's tour follows a trip to Guatemala and Panama by Taiwanese Vice President Annette Lu in July, the first by a top official since Costa Rica restored relations with economic powerhouse China in June after 63 years of ties with Taipei.

The United Nations rejected Taiwan's latest application in July, citing Beijing's ''one China'' policy, which holds that there is only one China and Taiwan is part of it.

The UN Assembly General is due to open its 62th session on September 18.

REUTERS AK BST0718