Ma Lambasts Venezuela over Visa Fracas

Ma Lambasts Venezuela over Visa Fracas

Ma Ying-jeou Office August 8, 2007

KMT Presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou protested against Venezuela’s refusal to issue visas to Taiwan’s youth baseball teams scheduled to attend the World Youth Baseball Championship in Venezuela next week.

Ma’s spokesman Lo Chih-chiang called Venezuela’s behavior “harsh and mean,” and said people in Taiwan would not look favorably on the snub.

Lo has raised the possibility that Venezuela has succumbed to pressure from Mainland China since Venezuela has been Mainland China’s long-term ally in South America. “If political factors are behind the refusal to issue visas, then Mainland China should be ashamed of itself,” noted Lo.

Lo says, Beijing should realize that goodwill is the basis for successful cross-Strait relations. Moves by Beijing to obstruct Taiwan’s participation in international sports events not only insult Taiwanese people but are detrimental to cross-Strait relations.

Ma called on Venezuela to leave politics out of sports and grant visas to the youth baseball teams as soon as possible. Ma also urged the International Baseball Federation to assist in the process.

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