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Glenn Schloss

Taiwan said the hostage crisis was not linked to its troubled ties with South Africa.

 'The incident will certainly affect our national image, but it will by no means affect the Government's present talks with the South African Government,' Foreign Minister Jason Hu said.

 'This case is completely non-political,' Mr Hu said.

 South African President Nelson Mandela said in November last year that Pretoria would sever diplomatic ties with Taipei and recognise Beijing by the end of the year.

 Mr Hu said Taipei would remain in close contact with Pretoria over the crisis.

 Pretoria had issued a statement saying it hoped for a speedy resolution.

 'We realise that the Government of the Republic of China is doing its utmost to resolve the matter.

 'We hope the situation can be resolved speedily without loss of life,' the South African Foreign Affairs Department said.

 Foreign Ministry spokesman Roy Wu was reported to have extended apologies to South African officials.

 Chen Chin-hsing broke into the home of South Africa's military attache after apparently spotting a car with diplomatic licence plates in a bid to gain international attention, diplomats said.

 The attack was a coincidence and not aimed at South Africa, said embassy First Secretary Jaap Le Roux.

 He said Chen had been involved in an incident near the embassy in Taipei earlier on Tuesday before raiding the apartment in the wealthy suburb of Peitou.

 He said Chen knew the area around the suburb very well. Chen had emphasised in media interviews he held no grudges against the diplomat's family.

 'I think he wanted to target a prominent member of the foreign community,' Mr Le Roux said.

 South African Ambassador Nicholas Scholtz was in constant touch with Taiwan authorities.

 'We don't interfere - it is up to the professionals,' Mr Le Roux said.

 'We have confidence in the Taiwanese authorities. They've been handling this well under very difficult circumstances.'  There were no indications that Chen was seeking asylum in South Africa.

 President Lee Teng-hui expressed concern over the case and said safety should be the top priority.

 The Cabinet set up an emergency taskforce to handle the situation.



Attack not aimed at Pretoria, says minister