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Government still mulling helicopter offer to Paraguay

ROC Central News Agency

2011/09/27 16:14:04

By Elaine Hou

Taipei, Sept. 27 (CNA) The government is still considering a proposal to donate helicopters to its diplomatic ally, the Republic of Paraguay, an official said Tuesday.

Jaime Wu, director-general of the Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), made the remarks in rebutting an earlier report that the government has decided to give Paraguay 11 US-built UH-1H helicopters.

"The content of the report is incorrect," Wu said.

Although Paraguay made a request to Taiwan earlier this year to acquire helicopters that have been out of service, Wu said it did not ask for an exact number of helicopters, adding that no final decision on the issue has been made yet.

"We are still discussing the matter within the Ministry of National Defense (MND)," he said, adding that it also depends on whether the MND has suitable helicopters to offer.

The government has been donating helicopters that have been eliminated from its own service to the South American ally since 1999, according to Wu.

Wu said if the government agrees to Paraguay's request, the cost of renovating old helicopters before donating them will be covered under the budget set for bilateral cooperation projects.

Meanwhile, the report also stated that Taiwan's helicopter donation will require prior notification to the United States.

In response, Wu said this is a necessary procedure and the MND will be responsible for notifying the U.S. if the government agrees to the helicopter giveaway.