MILITARY EXCHANGES NOT TO TIP REGIONAL MILITARY BALANCE: MOFA
ROC Central News Agency
2007-01-16 16:40:49
Taipei, Jan. 16 (CNA) Taiwan's military exchanges with other countries are based on the principle of not tipping regional military balances, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Tuesday.
MOFA spokesman Wang Chien-yeh was responding to reports that light weapons produced in Taiwan were offered to several of the country's diplomatic allies, including Liberia, Paraguay, Haiti and Nicaragua, and then used in blood civil conflicts following changes in regimes in these countries.
Wang dismissed the reports as untrue, saying that military exchanges are part of Taiwan's overall diplomatic efforts.
He stressed that Taiwan has adopted a "cautious" and "restrained" approach regarding military exchanges, saying that the exchanges are carefully monitored to prevent the possibility of tipping regional military balances of power.
The military exchanges cover a wide number of areas, he said, noting that Taiwan is currently helping its Central and Southern American allies train military officers and police officers.
Taiwan has also provided a limited number of military items to them, including such things as helmets and gas masks, he said.
(By Lilian Wu)
enditem/Li
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