91.  He will probably also meet top Taiwanese officials, including President Lee Teng-hui, although the Foreign Ministry declined to confirm any meetings.

92.  However, John Findlay, general secretary of the Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association, said Taiwanese officials were too quick to announce details of the investigation.

93.  In normal times, Asian countries would shy away from hosting senior Taiwanese officials because doing so invariably provoked outrage from Beijing.

94.  In deference to Beijing, the U.S. government severely restricts travel by Taiwanese officials to the United States.

95.  In response, Foreign Minister Jason Hu said Indonesian President B.J. Habibie has assured Taiwanese officials that authorities will severely punish those responsible.

96.  In Stockholm, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Annika Soeder claimed that Sweden was following European Union practice barring high level Taiwanese officials from visiting.

97.  In the meantime, American diplomats were to meet in Taipei on Wednesday with senior Taiwanese officials.

98.  It was the first time a senior Taiwanese official has suggested a timetable for direct travel, a sensitive issue between the two rivals.

99.  It refuses to recognize countries that maintain formal relations with Taiwan, and severely chastises allies who accept visits from Taiwanese officials.

100.  Jordan, keen to maintain strong trade ties with Taiwan, has previously hosted other high-ranking Taiwanese officials.