Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

ARMS PROCUREMENT ISSUE SHOULD BE DEALT WITH IN LEGISLATURE: KMT HEAD

ROC Central News Agency

2005-08-23 13:59:45

    Taipei, Aug. 23 (CNA) The best forum for discussions on the government-proposed arms procurement package is the Legislative Yuan, new opposition Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-yeou said Tuesday.

    In response to President Chen Shui-bian's proposal earlier in the day for a"rational and pragmatic" discussion between himself and Ma on the long-stalled arms purchase bill, Ma said that any of his views on the issue will only be passed through the legislative channel.

    Asked about whether there is no need for him and the president to meet for talks on the arms procurement package, Ma replied: "yes."

    Ma said the KMT, which ruled the country for decades before losing power in the 2000 presidential election, does not oppose the plan for no reasons. He said the party will support the project if details like the amount of money, the number of items, and the manner of financing the plan are all worked out.

    The KMT will commission its legislative caucus to engage in talks with other political parties including the ruling one, Ma noted.

    Ma added, that "it's not absolutely impossible" to arrange a "Bian-Ma" meeting to discuss other issues. Asked what issues they would talk about in such a meeting, Ma answered that "we may hold some discussions on that." Bian is President Chen's nickname.

(By Elizabeth Hsu)

ENDITEM/Li