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TAIWAN HAS 9 DAYS TO BUY P-3C ANTI-SUB PLANES OR LOSE THE CHANCE: MND

Central News Agency

2005-05-23 16:00:54

    Taipei, May 23 (CNA) The window of opportunity is closing for the ROC to purchase a squadron of 12 P-3C anti-submarine aircraft from the United States, according to Minister of National Defense Lee Jye, who said that the U.S. has given Taiwan till the end of the month to buy the planes; otherwise, they will be sold elsewhere.

    Speaking at the Legislative Yuan, where opposition lawmakers have continued to block a bill on major arms procurements initiated by the Democratic Progressive Party administration, Lee said that the Ministry of National Defense has been notified via a "formal channel" of the situation.

    The bill covers three items to be purchased from the U.S. -- eight diesel-electric submarines, six Patriot PAC-3 anti-missile batteries and a squadron of 12 P-3C anti-submarine aircraft.

    Lee also noted that although the U. S. authorities did not say anything about a change in the sale of eight diesel-electric submarines to Taiwan, "unofficial" channels from the United States say that "the possibility of a change exists."

    The defense ministry has promised the U.S. submarine sellers that Taiwan will give a definite answer on the order before the end of this month, Lee added.

(By Deborah Kuo)

ENDITEM/mw