Eugene Chien pays his respects to the victims of Sept. 11

Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien (簡又新) expressed his deepest condolences at a press conference yesterday to the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington last year.

Chien said that Taiwan has maintained close contact and has collaborated with the US on the anti-terrorist campaign since last year's attacks, adding that the total amount of money and materials that Taiwan has provided has reached about US$20 million.

Chien noted that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) has convened four anti-terrorist meetings and that the country has also provided aid, including money and material, as well as information and other humanitarian assistance, since the attacks.

Stating that the US appreciates Taiwan's help, Chien said that Taiwan has also cooperated with the US in order to ensure the security of US citizens in Taiwan -- the personnel of the American Institute in Taiwan in particular -- and to prevent the embassies and representative offices in Taiwan of other countries from being attacked by terrorists.

Chien said that Taipei has also cooperated with Washington by adopting measures to prevent terrorists from using Taiwan as a transit or money-laundering point, adding that the nation has also coordinated with other countries in the fight against money-laundering.