• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

CSIST denies launching nuclear weapons program

ROC Central News Agency

2007-10-29 12:08:23

    Taipei, Oct. 29 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian has never ordered the Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST) to develop nuclear weapons, the head of the military-affiliated institute said Monday.

    CSIST President Gong Chia-cheng said that the Cabinet's Atomic Energy Council has since 1988 been in charge of matters related to the research and development of nuclear applications, adding that the applications are all intended for peaceful purposes.

    Gong further said that the institute has no plans, related talent or facilities to engage in the research and development of any nuclear weapons programs, and the institute has never received any order from Chen to do so.

    Gong made the remarks when he was asked by reporters about a recent claim by opposition Kuomintang Legislator Su Chi that Chen has recently ordered the CSIST to begin developing nuclear weapons, including nuclear warheads.

    Su claimed he overheard the information from a heavyweight ruling Democratic Progressive Party legislator who disagreed with Chen's move.

    Chen has denied Su's claim, giving his guarantee that "there is no nuclear missile in Taiwan" and that the DPP administration "is not going to develop any nuclear missiles."

(By Y.F. Low)

ENDITEM/Li