As for the Chinese Nationalist Party's (KMT) opposition to the purchases, Simmons noted that while President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) has urged passage of the arms budget, "political elements in Taiwan have obstructed the special budget."
"The people of Taiwan should know two things," he said.
"First, delay in approval of the special budget leaves Taiwan defenseless and will only encourage aggression," he said.
"Second, blocking the arms package tells the US that the Taiwan leadership is not serious about the security of its people," he said.
RSS