Taiwan could help pay for Iraqi war

The government said for the first time yesterday that it was not "ruling out" the possibility of helping the US shoulder the cost of the war on Iraq.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Tou Chou-seng (杜筑生) told the legislature that while the US had not yet asked Taiwan for contributions, "the possibility of sharing the cost could not be ruled out," Tou was quoted by CNA as saying.

The government would seek the legislature's approval in advance if such a decision was made, he said.

Tou promised that the government would not take the initiative on the issue but was forced to temper his initial announcement when legislators pressed him to specify what Taiwan would do to share the war cost with Washington.

Once the request is presented, "it would be studied, but it does not necessarily mean the government of the Republic of China has to agree to it," he said.

Cabinet Spokesman Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said yesterday Taiwan would send aid worth NT$150 million to Iraq in it first humanitarian assistance to the country. He said the humanitarian package was expected to be delivered to Iraq by the end of the month through international relief organizations.

"Premier Yu Shyi-kun has also called for people on the island to support the government relief programs out of humanitarian concerns ... to express our love and sympathy," Lin said.

"We are most willing to fulfill our obligation as a member of the international community and will make our best effort to help," ministry spokesman Richard Shih (石瑞琦) told reporters.

The humanitarian supplies included medical equipment, medicine, sanitary products, rice, canned food, tents and blankets, Shih said, adding that the government was ready to provide further aid if necessary.

Authorities are reportedly recruiting voluntary medical personnel to help along the Iraqi border.

Yu said yesterday that as the US-led war against Iraq wouldn't likely end soon, all government agencies should remain on guard against the war's impact on the country.

Although Taiwan's trade with the Middle East is limited, the premier also asked government agencies to provide domestic manufacturers with assistance if necessary.

He also asked the Fair Trade Commission to keep tabs on market supply and demand to prevent manufacturers from taking advantage of the situation to price gouge or monopolize markets.

In related news, China yesterday dismissed suggestions it could use the war as pretext to attack Taiwan and said Beijing's opposition to the conflict and Taipei's support for it would not damage ties further.

"The main problem affecting cross-strait relations and stability in the strait is that Taiwan authorities do not accept the one-China principle," Taiwan affairs spokesman Zhang Mingqing (張銘清) told a monthly news conference.

"Different views towards the Iraq war will not have an effect," he said.