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Tang tells US to `mind own business'

Minister of National Defense Tang Yao-ming (湯曜明) continued his attack on American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairwoman Therese Shaheen yesterday, telling the US to "mind its own business."

Tang was responding to Shaheen's remarks Saturday on Taiwan's bid to acquire eight diesel-electric submarines. Shaheen was quoted as saying in newspaper reports that it seems "silly" that people are arguing about who should build the submarines without recognizing the kind of threat the country is facing.

Tang said yesterday at the legislature that, "What weapons to buy is our business, not the business of the US."

Shaheen's use of the term "silly" aroused strong criticism from lawmakers, especially from opposition politicians, who are pushing to have some of the submarines built in Taiwan.

On Monday, Tang said he would complain to Shaheen if she had really used the term "silly."

"We have checked with the US department of defense and found that the Bush administration has not changed its policy on the acquisition of the submarines for Taiwan," Tang said yesterday.

"Over the next 10 years, a total of NT$700 billion is to be spent on the procurement of new weapons systems. The eight submarines are on the purchase list," he said.

As Tang reaffirmed the military's determination to buy the submarines, the navy announced at a press conference its plans for the use of the submarines.

Navy general headquarters deputy chief of staff Rear Admiral Yeh Chu (葉巨) said that after the delivery of the new submarines, two out of the navy's existing fleet of four would be retired.

"A submarine fleet will be activated on the basis of the eight new and two old submarines. It is part of our 10-year arms build-up plan," Yeh said.

"We hope to complete the paperwork for the plans to buy the submarines by next June," he said.

Yeh acknowledged that the navy has reservations about the price of the submarines but added that talks with the US were going well.

"We are not satisfied with the quote that the US has made for the submarines. But that is the only area where we have problems," he said.

Yeh confirmed that the navy had already paid US$5.47 million to the US for the submarines.

"The total pre-phase cost is US$7.5 million. We will pay another US$400,000 to the US next year. The total cost could be reduced because it was set for the initial plan of getting the eight submarines off the shelf. Now the plan is different," he said.
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