Taiwan may see terrorist attacks: Chien

Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien (簡又新) warned yesterday that Taiwan could suffer terrorist attacks, as terrorism has penetrated Asia after a series of recent explosions in Indonesia and the Philippines.

Chien issued the warning while giving a keynote speech on new diplomatic approaches at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei.

Claiming that terrorism has come to Asia following the car-bomb attack on a nightclub in Bali and recent attacks in the southern city of Zamboanga in the Philippines, Chien said such cold-blooded and carefully-devised large scale terrorist attacks targeting civilians are posing a huge threat to the Asia-Pacific region, including Taiwan.

Taiwan's government has kept a close watch on subsequent developments since the terrorist attacks on the US Sept. 11 last year, and has also stepped up cooperation in information-collecting with Japan and the US to combat international terrorism, he noted.

"As a member of the global village, it would be hard for Taiwan to remain totally safe and free from similar terrorist attacks," he added.

The minister also condemned Beijing authorities for deploying 400 missiles along China's southeastern coast, which, he said, have posed a greater threat to Taiwan than terrorism.

Criticizing China's deployment of 400 missiles targeting Taiwan, Chien said Taiwan should seek to settle the problem through diplomatic means by asking the international community to speak out for Taiwan's security.