That's why he was equivocal when Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Tsai Huang-liang asked whether he would step down to take responsibility, if and when Funes does so.

All Ou said about how he would planned to maintain ties with San Salvador was that he would follow the "Paraguay"� formula.

He didn't elaborate.

But his spokesman did for him. Henry Chen said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) would help Funes acquire a full understanding of cooperative projects between the two countries and "strengthen bilateral cooperation."�

By strengthening bilateral cooperation Chen means Taiwan would offer more "assistance"� to El Salvador. Well, more aid was promised Paraguay and Asuncion didn't de-recognize Taipei.

Taiwan tooted it as a diplomatic success....