MND SEEKING SUPPORT FROM SPEAKER FOR PASSAGE OF ARMS PACKAGE
ROC Central News Agency
2006-08-29 15:22:03
Taipei, Aug. 29 (CNA) Minister of National Defense Lee Jye called on Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng Tuesday to solicit his support for speedy passage of an arms procurement package in the next legislative session, which will open Sept. 19.
Lee noted that the arms procurement package from the United States -- six Patriot PAC-3 anti-missile batteries, eight electric-powered submarines and a squadron of P-3C anti-submarine aircraft -- has been stalled in the opposition-controlled legislature for three years and that the United States has continued to express discontent with the delays.
Lee reportedly showed Wang a message sent by Taiwan's representative office in the United States in which Washington uses tough language in expressing its displeasure.
Addressing the complaints by the opposition about the exorbitant price tag of the arms package, the ministry has done its best in coordinated efforts to cut the price, Lee said. "We have calculated the price precisely, hoping to cut it by as much as possible so that it can be accepted by the public," Lee said.
He urged the ruling and the opposition parties to end their political squabbling and view the matter from a military perspective.
Wang said that additional budget for the arms procurement package as well as the national defense budget for 2007 have been sent to the legislature.
He noted that the ruling and opposition parties are more in agreement on the part of the additional budget. He wouldn't comment on the possible consequences of further delays in passing the arms procurement package.
(By Lilian Wu)
enditem/Li
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