Crime: Typhoon heist suspects caught
Taipei Police's Tatung Precinct yesterday said they have located three suspects in connection with the NT$16 million robbery of the Taipei First Credit Coopera-tive's (台北市第一信用合作社) Tachiao Branch last weekend, while Typhoon Sinlaku was nearing Taiwan. Police say the thieves entered an abandoned building next to the four-story bank and then broke into the bank from the roof with drills before making a hole 30cm long and 25cm wide on the third floor to enter the bank's second-floor vault. The police say they interviewed bank employees, workers who were hired for the bank's renovation work and the bank's neighbors who might have heard something or seen something when the crime occurred. These interviews as well as the fingerprints and footprints collected at the scene led the police to focus on three individuals, one of them a convicted bank robber. Some witnesses remembered one of the three suspects because he asked about the business hours of stores and shops around the bank.
Nuclear power: Hairline cracks `pose no risk'
Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) said yesterday that the date set originally for the opening of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant, July 1, 2006, would not be affected by the recent discovery of hairline cracks on supporting plates of a reactor pedestal. In August, Taipower discovered 80 hairline cracks in the plates in addition to those discovered in June. Taipower notified General Electric Co, the designer of the reactor and the pedestal, on Sept. 5 and asked for an investigation. Taipower official Liang Tieh-min (梁鐵民) said yesterday that the cracks would have no impact on the safety of the pedestal. However, Liang said construction on parts of the pedestal would be halted until related problems were solved. The plant, officials stressed, would still begin its commercial operation as scheduled.
Diplomacy: Yu hails idea of EU office
The opening of an EU office in Taipei will facilitate dialogue and cooperation between Taiwan and major European countries, Premier Yu Shyi-kun said yesterday. "It signifies the fact that the EU recognizes the achievements we've made over the years in democracy, freedom and human rights," Yu said. He requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to offer assistance so that the office can be set up as planned later this year. The EU's desire to establish an office follows the European Parliament's passage of a pro-Taiwan resolution on Sept. 5 which recognized Taiwan's success in democratization and urged China to dismantle its ballistic missiles deployed against Taiwan. The resolution, which calls for strengthening the strategic partnership between Asia and Europe, also urged EU member states to grant visas to senior Taiwan officials for private visits.
Diplomacy: Vladivostok talks going well
DPP Secretary-General Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) held talks with Vladivostok Mayor Yuri Kopylov on Tuesday as part of his visit to that city. Kopylov told Chang that Vladivostok is now pushing three measures aimed at attracting foreign investment and that he welcomes Taiwan businesses to the city. He also extended a welcome to Chang's delegation, which includes Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Ling-san (林陵三) and Council of Labor Affairs Chairwoman Chen Chu (陳菊).
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