Interpellation to focus on fallout of US terror attacks

The possible impact on relations across the Taiwan Strait of imminent US retaliation for the recent terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington would be the focus of legislative interpellation, lawmakers said yesterday.

The Legislative Yuan is scheduled to begin a general interpellation session tomorrow.

The legislative caucuses of the three major opposition parties -- the KMT, the PFP and the New Party -- and an alliance of independent lawmakers will each assign two people to question Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) about major national affairs on the first day of the session.

All of the lawmakers who will represent their groups to question Chang said they will focus their questioning on the possible impact on cross-strait relations of the planned US military retaliation against perpetrators of last week's terrorist attacks.

The strikes by terrorists who haijacked four commercial planes last Tuesday toppled the twin towers of New York City's landmark World Trade Center and partially damaged the Pentagon, the US military's nerve center.

KMT Legislator Chu Li-lun (朱立倫) said once the US launches a sweeping, sustained war on global terrorism, Taiwan could face a host of problems, including whether China would become a US foe or ally and how changes in relations between Beijing and Washington would impact cross-strait relations.

Chu said he wants to question Premier Chang how the government would cope with possible changes in cross-strait relations as well as the US anti-terrorism war's impact on the Taiwan economy and supplies of crude oil and other commodities.

New Party legislative whip Ying Chih-hung (營志宏) said impending US assaults on terrorists are expected to have a tremendous impact on cross-strait relations and the world economy.

Moreover, Ying said, terrorists are likely to fight against US assaults, posing further threats to security of ROC expatriates.

"I hope to find out whether our government has worked out a comprehensive plan to deal with all these new challenges," he added.

Hsieh Chang-chieh (謝章捷), deputy head of the PFP legislative caucus, said the terrorist attacks in the US have already wreaked havoc on Taiwan's electronics and financial sectors.

He also said that the imminent US retaliation would make the international situation even more uncertain.

"Premier Chang should give detailed explanations of the Cabinet's preparations for these new challenges," Hsieh said.