TAIWAN'S MOFA REEVALUATING PRESIDENT'S PLANS TO VISIT C. AMERICA.

TAIPEI, May 1 Asia Pulse - Deputy Foreign Minister Andrew Hsia said Thursday that in light of the swine flu outbreaks around the world, his ministry is reevaluating President Ma Ying-jeou's plans to visit Taiwan's Central American allies in June.

"We are evaluating the situation right now, making comprehensive assessments that are focused on the president's safety the outbreaks of swine flu," Hsia said before reporting to the Legislative Yuan's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee.

"We will make a decision in time for the president to make the final call," he added.

Ma is planning to visit Taiwan's Central American allies May 27-June 4 to attend the inauguration of El Salvador's President-elect Mauricio Funes on June 1 and is scheduled to also visit two other allies, Guatemala and Honduras.

However, the outbreak of the new H1N1 swine flu and its spread across the world has given rise to concerns about the president's safety on his planned trips.

Asked under what conditions the Foreign Ministry would consider postponing Ma's state visits, Hsia said it will depend on the number of new human infections in the countries that Ma is planning to visit and whether there is containment of the outbreaks.

"If unfortunately the outbreaks continue to spread, we will of course seriously ...