U.S. official says Taiwan's Chen "almost certain" to get transit visa

WASHINGTON (AFX-ASIA) - The State Department is "almost certain" to grant Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian permission to pass through the U.S. as he travels to and from a trip to Latin America next month, a senior U.S. official said.	    However, the official said despite growing tension between Washington and Beijing on Taiwan -- coupled with the still unresolved row over the April 1 accident involving a Chinese fighter and a U.S. spy plane -- there is "no reason" not to allow Chen to transit through the U.S. on his trip.	    "I don't think there's any question about it," the official told Agence France-Presse on condition of anonymity. "There is no reason to deny him entry for transit. We are almost certain to approve it."	    It was not immediately clear when a formal announcement would be made.	    Washington has yet to publicly acknowledge receiving a request for Chen to transit the U.S. but has said it is "aware" that the president plans to visit five countries in Latin America beginning May 21.	    The U.S. official said permission for Chen to travel through the U.S. would be granted under standard U.S. guidelines that allow Taiwanese officials to transit the country for the "safety, comfort and convenience of the traveler." 

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