Lu said that the message contains two points, the first being a confirmation of Chen's initial response that he would not close any TV station during his term in office and that he will continue to safeguard press freedom.
The second point, Lu said, is to "express the Government Information Office's position on the matter, which is that it constitutes a legal matter, and will be dealt with in accordance with the laws governing foreign ownerships [in local TV stations]."
Lu added that his ministry has not received any direct response from the US government about the TVBS issue.
"The only concern we've learnt of thus far is what was said in the statements issued by the State Department spokesman on Nov. 1," Lu said.
Dana Shell Smith, spokeswoman of the American Institute in Taipei, yesterday had no further comment on the issue, saying only that "our spokesman in Washington has made clear our position and we don't have anything to add."
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