War In Iraq: NSB sees no change in PLA status yesterday

The Ministry of National Defense said yesterday the military activated its special task force after the US launched strikes against Iraq earlier in the day.

Ministry sources said the panel, dubbed Yunghsing task force, is headed by Vice Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Ju Kai-sheng (朱凱生).

Vice Minister of National Defense Lin Chon-pin (林中斌) told lawmakers yesterday morning that the task force is keeping close tabs on the Middle East and international situations as well as

developments in the Taiwan Strait.

Meanwhile, a National Security Bureau official said yesterday it has discovered no signs that the Chinese People's Liberation Army is making preparations for a military attack against Taiwan.

Bureau Deputy Director-General Hu Chen-chiu (胡鎮球) told the Legislative Yuan that PLA deployments and activities are the same as usual.

Protecting national security and interests remains the bureau's top priority regardless of what international developments may occur, Hu said.