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Taiwan will not request F-16 C/D quote without U.S. consensus

ROC Central News Agency

2011/07/01 18:27:37

Washington, June 30 (CNA) Taiwan will not present a letter of request (LOR) for the procurement and acquisition of any specific items of military hardware without prior consensus with the United States, a Taiwanese official said Thursday.

"Zero surprise is a key principle for our U.S. policy, and we will not formally request a price quote for advanced F-16 C/D jet fighters until we have reached a consensus with the U.S. authorities," Leo Lee, Taiwan's deputy representative to the United States, said at a routine news briefing.

While Taiwan needs the F-16 C/Ds to beef up its air force, Lee said, the country will not formally present an LOR without first seeking consensus with the U.S. authorities.

Lee further said Taiwan has presented an LOR to upgrade its existing F-16 A/B jet fighters in order to strengthen its air defense capabilities.

Noting that the U.S. is still evaluating that deal, Lee said Taiwan hopes a final decision can be made as soon as possible.

Moreover, he went on, Taiwan will definitely make funds available for all arms procurement deals with the U.S.

During the news briefing, Lee also said Taiwan has continued to offer the U.S. authorities updates on the scandal about plasticizer contamination in food and beverages that came to light in Taiwan in mid-May.

Citing a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) statement, Lee said Taiwan has informed the FDA that as of June 21, 57 types of products believed to have been shipped to the U.S. might be contaminated with phthalate plasticizers, specifically diethylhexyl-phthalate (DEHP).

The products are primarily fruit juices (grape, lychee, mango, passion fruit, lemon, blue coral, kiwi, melon, strawberry, passionfruit, pineapple, peach), syrups, jam, drinks and a dietary supplement, according to an FDA statement.

The Taiwanese authorities have also identified that the products in question were exported by eight companies in Taiwan -- Possmei International Co. Ltd., Seven Strong Co. Ltd., Dashing Industrial Co. Ltd., Patio Master International Co. Ltd., Tasty Enterprise Company, Jin Ji Wang Food Co. Ltd., Mao-Hon International Foods Material Corp. and Chang Gung Biotechnology Co., Ltd.

Lee said the FDA has lauded Taiwan's transparency in handling the scandal. (By Zep Hu and Sofia Wu) ENDITEM/J