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COSTA RICA BOOTS TAIWAN, WELCOMES CHINA IN DIPLOMATIC SWITCH.

Article Excerpt
Taiwan is out and the People's Republic of China (PRC) is in, as Costa Rica's President Oscar Arias ends more than 60 years of diplomatic relations with Taiwan. "The reasons are obvious," said Arias. Diplomatic relations with China will "bring greater well-being and development for Costa Rica, which cannot remain static in a changing world." The break came as a rude slap to Taiwan, which had received repeated denials from Arias that he would make the change. The embassy in San Jose reacted angrily, announcing that Taiwan would "end diplomatic relations with Costa Rica and put an end to all the projects and assistance and cooperation plans between the two countries. The Costa Rican government will be accountable for all the responsibilities and consequences of turning its back on 63 years of friendship with Taiwan."

Costa Rica's Foreign Minister Bruno Stagno said relations with China had been normalized as of June 1, the Taiwanese Embassy had been notified just before the June 6 announcement, and Taiwan and Costa Rica would begin the process of closing their respective embassies. But, as late as June 6, Arias had told reporters that rumors of an impending break were no more than "speculation."

The rumors had begun as early as 2006, when Arias said during his campaign for the presidency that recognition of the islands off the mainland China coast as a nation might end under his presidency. Costa Rica was one of only 25 nations to so recognize Taiwan. The rumors gained force in May, when Costa Rica voted against Taiwan's bid for membership in the World Health Organization (WHO). But, even after that, Costa Rican officials denied a diplomatic break was in the offing.

There will be a cost for Arias' bowing to what he called "fundamental realism." Taiwan has been paying dearly for diplomatic recognition from tiny countries,...