Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

MND CONFIRMS SIMPLIFIED ROC ARMED FORCES CONVICTIONS

ROC Central News Agency

2007-05-14 16:36:02

    Taipei, May 14 (CNA) The chief of the General Political Warfare Bureau under the Ministry of National Defense (MND) confirmed Monday that the "five convictions" that have been followed by members of the country's armed forces as spiritual and behavioral guidance have been reduced to three.

    Speaking at the Legislative Yuan, Chen Kuo-hsiang confirmed that of the "five convictions" -- doctrine, leadership, nation, responsibility and honor -- the notions of "doctrine" and "leadership" have been omitted as times have changed.

    He said the convictions of "doctrine" and "leadership" were omitted because they are already enshrined in the Constitution and the National Defense Act.

    The warfare chief said that the Defense Ministry conducted careful discussions on the omission before deciding on it and that the ministry secured the support of members of the Legislature on the matter, adding that the omission work will be completed before the end of June.

    Defense Minister Lee Jye admitted at the Legislative Yuan May 7 that the "five convictions" followed by the Republic of China military for over six decades have been reduced to only "nation, responsibility and honor, " while Chen Kuo-hsiang said at that time that the omission was still under discussion and that no conclusions regarding the matter had yet been reached.

(By Deborah Kuo)

ENDITEM/Li