Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

SIMPLIFIED ARMED FORCES 'CONVICTIONS' TO TAKE EFFECT JULY 1: MND HEAD

ROC Central News Agency

2007-05-24 16:01:36

    Taipei, May 24 (CNA) Defense Minister Lee Tien-yu confirmed Thursday that beginning July 1, members of the country's armed forces will follow a simplified "three convictions" as their spiritual and behavioral guidance.

    The Ministry of National Defense recently worked to simplify the "five convictions" -- doctrine, leadership, nation, responsibility and honor -- that have been followed by the Republic of China armed forces for over six decades. The ministry decided to omit the notions of "doctrine" and "leadership" on the grounds that the two are already enshrined in the Constitution and the National Defense Act, Lee said.

    Speaking for the first time at the Legislative Yuan as the defense minister, Lee also confirmed that he indeed met with President Chen Shui-bian at the president's residence May 17 for an hour-long talk.

    During the meeting, Lee said, the president talked with him about the need for Taiwan to purchase F-16 jet fighters from the United States, in addition to discussing his new position.

    According to Lee, the president expressed to him the hope that he will strive to dissolve the differences between the Democratic Progressive Party administration and opposition parties over the long-stalled arms procurement plan.

    Lee said that the president told him that his top task after assuming the post of defense minister will be to upgrade the armed forces' defense capabilities through the purchase of new weapon systems and equipment.

(By Deborah Kuo)

ENDITEM/Li