Asked about the issue during separate press briefings, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino and U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack both said they had no knowledge of Ma's plans.

Ma on Monday raised the possibility of visiting the U.S. prior to being sworn in during a meeting Monday with American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Stephen Young.

A senior U.S. State Department official told the media that the U.S. government has not changed its principles in dealing with requests by Taiwan leaders to visit the U.S.

The official confirmed that these principles include that the visit should be private and unofficial and that such a visit would be arranged for the convenience, comfort, safety and dignity of the travelers.

He did not answer if Washington has had any phone conversation with Ma since his election, referring the media to statements issued March 22 by U.S. President George W. Bush and McCormack in which they congratulated Ma on his victory.

Addressing the president-elect as "President Ma," Perino said Bush was pleased that the elections were free and fair and that his administration looked forward to working with the new government of Taiwan.

In his March 22 statement, Bush expressed confidence that the election and the democratic process it represents will advance Taiwan as a prosperous, secure and well-governed society. Bush said he believes the election provides a fresh opportunity for both Taiwan and China to reach out and engage one another in peacefully resolving their differences, and that the maintenance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the welfare of the people on Taiwan remain of profound importance to the U.S.

Also, Bush said the U.S. will continue to maintain close unofficial ties with the people on Taiwan through AIT in accordance with its long-standing "one-China" policy, the three joint communiques with China and the Taiwan Relations Act.

Meanwhile, McCormack said in his statement that the U.S. looks forward to working with Taiwan's new leaders "to ensure that the vibrancy in our economic and people-to-people relationship is maintained."

Also releasing a statement Monday on the election in Taiwan, Republican presidential candidate John McCain said the election is "testimony to the press freedoms, democratic process and the rule of law the Taiwanese people have worked so hard to build."