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Taiwan lawmakers concern about Obama's upcoming China visit

ROC Central News Agency

2009/11/12 19:14:25
Taipei, Nov. 12 (CNA) Ruling Kuomintang Legislator Chang Hsien-yao expressed concerns Thursday on whether U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to China next week would adversely impact the U.S. sale of advanced weapon systems to Taiwan.

Speaking at a hearing in the Legislative Yuan Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee, Chang inquired Vice Defense Minister Chao Shih-chang whether Taiwan's wish to acquire high performance F-16C/D jet fighters, diesel-electric submarines and Black Hawk helicopters will be adversely impacted by Obama's forthcoming China visit.

Chao said the Mininstry of National Defense will not speculate on the weapons procurement plan, but will give close attention to issues concerning Taiwan, China and the United States.

Meanwhile, KMT Legislator Shuai Hua-min lashed out at the government for continuing to slash military manpower, saying that the Republic of China armed forces are at their weakest ever, in terms of preparedness.

Shuai said that in its engagement with China, Washington has attached greater importance to its own interests than to its relations with Taiwan.

He advised the MND not to anticipate any favors from Obama after his trip to China.

"The Taiwan Relations Act, passed in 1979 after Washington severed formal diplomatic ties with Taipei in favor of Beijing, is on the brink of bankruptcy," he claimed.

Under the TRA, the U.S. guarantees defensive arms sales to Taiwan. The U.S. Defense Department notified Congress on Oct. 3, 2008 of its approval of a US$6.46 billion arms package to Taiwan, which includes Apache attack helicopters, Patriot PAC-3 missile batteries, Javelin anti-tank missiles and sea-launched Harpoon missiles, as well as an upgrade of the E-2T aircraft to the Hawkeye 2000 configuration, and support equipment.

However, the package does not include the diesel-electric submarines, Black Hawk helicopters and F-16C/Ds that Taiwan is eager to acquire.

(By Garfie Lee and Deborah Kuo) ENDITEM /pc