Nicaraguan leader apologizes for snubbing Taiwan

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) - Nicaragua's president apologized for standing up Taiwan's leader during a state visit _ an insult that had prompted Taiwan to threaten to recall its envoy in protest, local media reported Sunday. Ma Ying-jeou was making his first state visit to Nicaragua since he took office 13 months ago. The Latin American country is one of 23 that officially recognizes Taipei, as opposed to Beijing. But President Daniel Ortega didn't show up at the airport when Ma arrived for his two-day visit Friday. He later failed to host a banquet for Ma, sending his deputy instead. After Taiwan threatened to recall its envoy, Ortega finally met Ma briefly at his office later Friday, according to Taiwan's state-funded Central News Agency. Ortega apologized and later personally drove Ma to inspect a bilateral farm project, the... [read full story]                    

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