Chen and Mrs Bush in 'diplomatic encounter'

He may have been snubbed by the US in his efforts to get to Latin America, but that didn't deter Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian from grasping the chance to meet America's first lady Laura Bush.

Mr Chen, who was among the guests invited to the inauguration of Costa Rican President Oscar Arias in San Jose, made the most of the opportunity - presenting himself to Mrs Bush twice.

In a television broadcast shown live in Taiwan, Mr Chen was first seen looking across to where Mrs Bush, who represented her husband at the event, was standing. He then walked towards her, introduced himself and shook hands. The entire meeting took no more than a minute before Mr Chen walked back to his place to observe the ceremony.

As if the first meeting with Mrs Bush was too brief, Mr Chen approached her for a second time after the ceremony. He was better prepared that time, with his interpreter taking out a small digital camera and recording the encounter.

Presidential spokesman Lee Nan-yang, accompanying Mr Chen on his Latin American tour, said later that Mr Chen had invited Mrs Bush to visit Taiwan.

'He [Mr Chen] went over to shake hands with her [Mrs Bush] and asked her to extend his best regards to President [George W.] Bush, and invited her to visit Taiwan,' Mr Lee said.