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33 U.S. CONGRESSMEN URGE KMT NOT TO BLOCK PASSAGE OF ARMS BILL

Central News Agency

2005-05-27 16:13:48

    Taipei, May 27 (CNA) Thirty-three U.S. congressmen have sent a joint letter to opposition Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan urging him to help expedite the passage of a long-stalled bill regarding Taiwan's arms procurements from the United States.

    Legislator Trong Chai of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) displayed a copy of the May 26-dated letter from 33 members of the House of Representatives at a news conference held at the Legislative Yuan Friday.

    Signatories to the letter include House International Relations Committee Chairman Henry Hyde (R-Il) and Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) , who maintains close ties with the KMT, Taiwan's former ruling party.

    The congressmen say in the letter that as long-time friends and supporters of the Republic of China, they are hopeful that Lien can "help expedite the passage this month of the special defense budget now before the Legislative Yuan."

    The DPP administration has referred the NT$480 billion arms procurement package to the opposition-controlled legislature for approval. However, the KMT and its "pan-blue alliance" ally, the People First Party -- both of which jointly control more than half of the legislative seats -- have stonewalled the inclusion of the package into the legislative agenda.

    The package covers three weaponry items that Taiwan intends to buy from the United States -- eight diesel-electric submarines, a squadron of 12 P-3C anti-submarine aircraft, and six Patriot PAC III anti-missile batteries.

    According to the U.S. congressmen, the submarines, P3-C anti-submarine aircraft and additional Patriot air and missile defense systems are vital to Taiwan's self-defense. "Delaying the acquisition of these priority capabilities will make Taiwan increasingly vulnerable in the second half of this decade, a timeframe the (U.S.) Department of Defense and the (Taiwan) Ministry of National Defense judge especially dangerous, " the letter says.

    Noting that both the U.S. and Taiwan governments should ensure that Taiwan is able to deter and if necessary, defeat aggression, the letter goes on to say that is why the congressional members have since the 1990s supported the sale to Taiwan of submarines, anti-submarine aircraft and missile defense systems.

    The letter stresses that the congressional support for Taiwan's acquisition of priority capabilities has always been bipartisan.

    Pointing out that China's anti-secession law and aggressive military build-up demonstrate its continued hostility toward the people of Taiwan, the letter says Taiwan's procurement of the defense systems provided for within the package is vital to maintaining peace and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait.

    The letter further says that failure to pass the special arms procurement package has raised concerns in the United States about Taiwan's ability to defend itself against potential aggression.

    The U.S. lawmakers also encouraged Lien to affirm the KMT's commitment to a strong defense force and a strong U.S.-Taiwan relationship by supporting the purchases in full and without further delay.

(By Sofia Wu)

ENDITEM/J