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Envoy to examine US-based training program for officers of Taiwan's forces

Kurt Campbell, senior vice president at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, is scheduled to arrive in Taipei on Friday to discuss with the government the usefulness of a US-based training program for officers in Taiwan's military.

To raise the strategic abilities and international understanding of Taiwan's military officers and establish a multi-channel communications link with the US, Taiwan last year sent two delegations of high-level officers to the US for training.

Although local media reported that Taiwan's military was very pleased with the training program, the US side was apparently disappointed with the officers Taiwan sent.

The US trainers felt that many of the officers had deficient language skills, were too cautious and lacked the initiative to ask questions and discuss issues, the reports said.

In response, Taiwan appointed Ke Kuang-yueh (葛光越), the air force's chief of political warfare, to lead the second group.

Ke was previously an advisor to the Ministry of Defense and responsible for the establishment of the strategic planning office.

According to the reports, the ministry felt Ke's experience was more representative of Taiwan's military and that it was necessary for him to establish communication channels with the US.

Nevertheless, to address US concerns about the usefulness of the training program, Campbell, who arranged the program, will come to Taiwan to meet several high-level officials to decide whether it should be continued.

Campbell suggested the program to President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) during a visit to Taiwan after he left his post as deputy assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific affairs two years ago.

Taiwan sent the two groups of officers following almost a year of preparation after Chen's administration agreed.

Many officers in Taiwan's military believe that increasing the contact between the US military and Taiwan's military is even more important than the training program itself, the reports said.

While in the short-term, a few hours of classes are of limited use, the ministry hopes that the US may eventually agree to send experts to Taiwan, thereby benefitting more officers, the reports said.

Campbell was also deputy assistant secretary of defense for Asia and Pacific affairs in former US president Bill Clinton's administration.
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