Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

COAST GUARD TO LAUNCH SPECIAL OPERATIONS TO PROTECT FISHERMEN

Central News Agency

2005-06-21 20:47:20

    Taipei, June 21 (CNA) The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) will launch special operations during fishing seasons to protect Taiwanese fishermen operating in disputed waters, CGA Director-General Shi Hwei-yow said Tuesday.

    Shi said the CGA will also send vessels to escort fishing boats in their main fishing grounds as long as they do not trespass into the territorial waters of other countries.

    Shi made the remarks in response to questions from the press after delivering a report on the Taiwan-Japan fishery dispute to the Central Standing Committee of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

    Shi said there is a clear division of labor between the CGA and the Ministry of National Defense (MND) in the government's efforts to protect fishermen, with the CGA on the frontline and the MND in the rear.

    According to Shi, involving the military directly in international fishery disputes could lead to military confrontation and therefore the military will consider carefully when it will step in.

(By Y.F. Low)

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