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TAIWAN-US MILITARY EXCHANGES UNCHANGED OVER REFERENDUM ISSUE

2003-12-30 22:20:04

    Taipei, Dec. 30 (CNA) Minister of National Defense Tang Yiau-min said Tuesday that military exchanges between Taiwan and the United States remain normal and stable despite the recent concern on the part of the United States over the referendum issue.

    Tang made the remarks after he presided over a promotion ceremony for military generals when he was asked whether the U.S. concern about the "defensive referendum" to gauge public opinion on whether mainland China should withdraw its missiles targeting Taiwan and renounce the threat of force against Taiwan will affect military exchanges between Taiwan and the United States. "Military exchanges between Taiwan and the United States have always been stable, " Tang said, adding that "contacts and communications have remained open."

    As to whether the military will maintain neutrality in the run-up to the March 20 presidential election, Tang said that maintaining a national army not involved in politics has been his long-standing stance.

    Tang said that even when he was serving as chief of the general staff of the armed forces, he kept the same principles.

    Tang said that an apolitical army is the trend of democratic countries, adding that armies of countries such as the United States, Great Britain, Germany and Japan pledge allegiance to their respective nations and thereby maintain stability in their countries.

(By Lilian Wu)

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