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MND official says arms purchases are `not a waste'

Vice Minister of National Defense Huo Shou-yeh (霍守業) yesterday promised that the ministry will not waste taxpayers' money on useless weapons as he briefed Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) lawmakers regarding the ministry's NT$610 billion budget for arms purchases.

Huo told reporters at the Legislative Yuan that most of the money will be spent on submarines and related equipment and training. The vice minister said that it is very difficult to find a submarine manufacturer who would manufacture the vessels for Taiwan and the US has the authority over the procurement.

"As a result, unfortunately, on this issue, we have to follow their [the US'] lead," said Huo.

However, the vice minister also said that the ministry will not simply buy whatever the US authorities want to sell to avoid unnecessary purchases.

"We know what we want and we have the right to make the final decision about what to buy," said Huo. "I guarantee you that we will not waste the money."

Huo made his remarks after he finished briefing TSU lawmakers at the Legislative Yuan yesterday.

In response to lawmakers' complaints, the ministry also held a press conference yesterday afternoon to provide details about the arms it is going to purchase.

However, Huo's briefing was echoed by TSU lawmakers yesterday after the meeting.

"I believe that it is necessary to make such a large expenditure on arms procurement at this time," said TSU Legislator Ho Min-hao (何敏豪). "I also hope that Huo will keep his promise and try his best to look for the best bargain for the country."

In the meantime, Chinese Nationalist Party Lawmaker Yang Chiung-ying (楊瓊瓔) complained that Taiwan should not follow the US' lead regarding arms purchases.

"Why do we have to do this whenever we hear them [the US] saying, `Show me the money?' We are the buyer, not the acolyte," Yang said.

In response to Yang's complaint, TSU Legislator Cheng Chen-lung (程振隆) urged pan-blue lawmakers not to veto the bill.

"I do not like to spend so much money on weapons, either. If anyone of you, my pan-blue friends, is able to persuade China to give up its intention to launch a military strike against Taiwan, then we will not need these weapons. If you can't, please, stand with us and endorse the bill," Cheng said.

Retired Admiral Nelson Ku (顧崇廉), now a People First Party legislator, said he believed that the US military would even establish a base on Taiwan if a war breaks out in the Taiwan Strait, possibly in the year 2006.

"In fact, as far as I know, this is why US military personnel keep visiting Taiwan and paying attention to our airports as well as many other military sites," Ku said. "It is quite possible for them to [build a base in Taiwan]."
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