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U.S. yet to decide on F-16 fighter sale to Taiwan: defense minister

ROC Central News Agency

2010/11/02 00:55:56

Taipei, Nov. 1 (CNA) Despite Taiwan's high hopes to get advanced weapons to boost its defense capabilities, the United States remains undecided over whether or not to sell F-16 C/D fighters to Taiwan, Defense Minister Kao Hua-chu said Monday.

"The purchase of the high performance jet fighters is a politically sensitive issue due to the U.S.' efforts to maintain a strong presence in the Pacific and to its political difficulties with Beijing, " Kao said when answering questions from Legislator Lin Yu-fang at a legislative hearing.

Lin's question came after William A. Stanton, director of the Taipei Office of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), told a local newspaper on Oct. 28 that Washington and Taipei remain divided on the issue.

The lawmaker asked Kao whether Stanton was airing his own viewpoint or relaying the opposition of the U.S. administration to selling the fighters to Taiwan.

Citing information obtained by the Defense Ministry, Kao replied that Stanton's remarks might have reflected his personal viewpoint and that his ministry remained committed to acquiring the fighters.

Although the U.S. was still assessing Taiwan's request to purchase F-16 C/D fighters, Kao said, Washington had yet to deliver a clear response to Taiwan. (By M. S. Huang and Flor Wang) enditem/ls