The Ministry of National Defense yesterday denied that Minister of National Defense Tang Yao-ming (
"Tang and Kang are on good terms with each other. They have never argued over whether Huang should be promoted to rear admiral since it is not yet an issue," an official with the spokesman for the ministry's office said.
Huang, who was a member of Kang's staff when he was vice defense minister for administrative affairs, followed Kang when he became secretary-general of the council earlier this year.
"According to regulations, Huang could get a promotion at the council as long as he has completed all the necessary procedures. The procedures include permission from the ministry to be transferred from the military to the council. But up to now Huang still has not receive any permission," the official said.
"It means that Huang's position is still with the military although he works at the council. His work at the council is temporary and can last for only one to two years," he said.
Huang will not be considered as a candidate for promotion to rear admiral before he has completed all the procedures. We have no objection to Kang's plan to promote Huang, but they have to follow the rules first," he said.
"It is nonsense to talk about whether Huang should be promoted. The issue will become an issue only after Huang gets clarity on his official status. In this year's mid-year promotion of generals to be held on July 1, he will surely not be on the list."
The official made the remarks in response to a report by a Chinese-language newspaper yesterday that minister Tang had some argument with Kang over the proposed promotion.
The ministry denied the authenticity of the report on behalf of Tang, while Kang called a press conference at the presidential office to comment on the issue.
Kang insisted that he gets along quite well with Tang and that he will not force him to accept his recommendation.
"Whether to promote Huang is to be decided by the ministry. I will not interfere in the business. I have never said I will ask for support from President Chen Shui-bian (
The ministry has declared more than once that Huang does not qualify for promotion to rear admiral as certain vital experience is not on his resume.
The vital experience refers to studies at the college of command and staff of the National Defense University.
According to regulations, a military official needs to study at the college of command and staff to become a colonel or captain or above.
But Huang did not go to the college of command, which disqualifies him from becoming a rear admiral. How he became a captain also raises questions, as he did not comply with the study requirement.
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