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PREMIER URGES KMT TO PRESENT 'REASONABLE' ARMS PROCUREMENT PACKAGE

ROC Central News Agency

2006-03-26 22:21:03

    Taipei, March 26 (CNA) Premier Su Tseng-chang urged opposition Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou Sunday to come up with a draft bill on what he called "reasonable" arms procurement after his return from the United States.

    Su made the appeal during his first "afternoon tea and conversation" with local reporters since assuming the premiership in late January.

    During his visit in Washington, D.C. earlier this week, Ma, who doubles as Taipei mayor, told high-ranking U.S. officials he met that the KMT supports "reasonable" arms procurement package to beef up Taiwan's defense capabilities in the face of China's missile deployment against Taiwan. "It is my hope that Ma can honor his promise and present a what he called 'reasonable' arms procurement package for legislative debate or deliberation after his return from the United States Wednesday," Su said.

    The KMT and its "pan-blue" ally -- the People First Party -- jointly control a slim majority in the Legislature Yuan and have blocked a government plan to procure three big-ticket weaponry systems from the United States for two years on the grounds that the price tag is too high and the items do not meet Taiwan's defense needs.

    Su said the Democratic Progressive Party administration is more than willing to discuss with the opposition the content of the procurement package. "We are hopeful that the opposition could at least refraining from barring a rational debate on the issue or the government-proposed package in the legislature's defense committee or plenary session, " Su said, adding that the opposition is welcome to present a "counter" or "parallel" package for discussion.

    When the Bush administration agreed in 2001 to bolster Taiwan's military with an US$18 billion arms sale package -- including eight diesel-electric submarines, a squadron of 12 P-3C submarine-hunting aircraft and six Patriot PAC III anti-missile batteries, it was seen as a coup for Taiwan in its endeavor to counter China's speedy military buildup. But the package has so far remained on the drawing board because of a protracted opposition boycott.

    As Ma is widely seen the opposition's best bet for the 2008 presidential election, Su said the United States is very concerned about Ma's attitude toward the long-stalled arms deal.

    Since both the ruling and the opposition camps are concerned about national security, Su said he keenly hopes the KMT can unveil its version of arms procurement for deliberation after Ma's return from the United States March 29 or at least stop boycotting the DPP administration's version.

(By Sofia Wu)

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