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War fears prompt security boost
ON ALERT:
With conflict in Iraq possibly just hours away, government agencies have tightened security at airports and harbors and are keeping tabs on war developments
By Lin Mei-chun
STAFF REPORTER
Thursday, Mar 20, 2003, Page 3
Taiwan has heightened its security as the US prepares to wage war against Iraq and is willing to provide humanitarian aid for post-war reconstruction should the US request it, governmental officials said yesterday.
A top security official said yesterday that security has been tightened at harbors and airports, while security agencies are keeping close watch on war developments.
The official conceded that there is little Taiwan can do with regard to the war, but as a US ally, the government is willing to offer humanitarian assistance and post-war aid.
Taiwan has openly supported the US fight against terrorism, which triggered concern Taiwan's relations with Muslim countries would be strained. But the official said such fears are unfounded.
He said Taiwan has made it clear that the war against Iraq is to fight terrorism and is not a war to attack the Muslim religion and its people.
While receiving an Islamic delegation in January, President Chen Shui-bian (³¯¤ô«ó) showed his respect the Muslim faith.
The official dubbed the war against Iraq "the second stage of fight against terror," citing the war in Afghanistan as the first stage.
He said that Taiwan has long sided with the US on the anti-terror effort and supports the scrapping of weapons of mass destruction.
But he said remarks by Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Richard Shih (¥Û·çµa) were inappropriate and risked harming Taiwan's international reputation.
Shih was grilled yesterday at the legislature after he echoed US demands for Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to leave his country.
Legislators blasted Shih, saying his comments would entangle Taiwan with the war when the country could stay out of it.
Although the US has not asked Taiwan to help with post-war reconstruction, several non-governmental organizations are already doing their share.
Buddhist Compassionate Relief Tzu Chi Foundation has begun humanitarian aid for what is expected to be a large number of Iraqi refugees flooding into Jordan.
In addition to the US$100,000 sent to its office in Jordan, the organization's volunteers started building tents in a refugee camp on the Iraq-Jordan border yesterday.
World Vision Taiwan said it plans to collect US$50,000 to help cope with the humanitarian crisis following the war.
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