President Tsai promises reform of Taiwan military
ROC Central News Agency
2016/07/04 13:33:30
Kaohsiung, July 4 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Monday that Taiwan's military culture needs critical reforms and better integration with the rest of the society and she is working toward those goals.
Addressing the graduates of five military schools at the Republic of China Military Academy in Kaohsiung, Tsai said she believed that like her, the graduates were dejected and worried over the recent events involving military personnel.
These challenges, however, present opportunities for the military to show its ability to courageously face difficulties and continue onward despite its setbacks, Tsai said.
That is not to say the military is fine as it is, the president added.
"If I said that it was, I would not be a responsible commander-in-chief," Tsai said. "I would not dodge the problems or responsibilities. The military needs reforms, and they should be drastic and decisive reforms."
Tsai's comments came in the wake of two recent incidents that sparked heavy criticism of Taiwan's military forces.
The first incident, which occurred in late June, involved a group of soldiers who posted a video online of them torturing a dog to death.
Before the furor over that incident had died down, a naval corvette in a military base in Kaohsiung accidentally fired a missile into the Taiwan Strait on July 1, causing the death of a fisherman and injuring three others on a fishing boat.
Tsai said that since she took office on May 20, she has been addressing issues related to the military, including strategic guidance, resource priorities, the size of the armed forces, and the weaponry and equipment needed.
She said she plans to work on reform of the military culture to stamp out inefficiency and window dressing so that those officers and soldiers who want to do their jobs properly will no longer be frustrated. "Only reforms can bring dignity, she said. "Only with discipline can reforms be fully implemented."
The president also said she will try to deal with the system that puts up a barrier between military careers and other jobs in the society, to allow military personnel to work as professionals after they leave the force.
Investment in national defense should be a driving force behind industrial innovation, and when such a connection is made, retired military personnel will be able to make a contribution to the industrial sector, Tsai said.
Tsai said she hoped the graduates would be encouraged by the plans she outlined and would realize that they could have a military career with clear goals and directions.
Her reform plans will not be just empty words, Tsai said, adding that she will stand by the military in times of honor or disgrace.
(By Lu Hsin-hui and Kay Liu)
Enditem/pc
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