Taiwan quick take

■Crime
Forgery suspects arrested
Police two suspects in connection with counterfeiting money and document forgery in Taipei early yesterday. Police raided a rented house in the Wanhau district and arresting Lo Sheng (羅聖), 37, and Yu Yao-hua (游曜華), 26, as well as seizing a computer, laser printer and computer disks. Another suspect, nicknamed Ah-chi (阿吉), remains at large. Counterfeit NT$1,000-denomination banknotes allegedly produced by the trio had anti-forgery lines on them and the only visible difference to real banknotes was the texture of the forgeries. Police say some of the counterfeit notes may have already been distributed via. Police said the trio were also involved in forging ID cards, driver licenses, national health-insurance cards and work permits for Chinese people and were also involved in the theft of audio equipment from cars.

■ Health
Chen off to health forum
The government is planning to set up an international disease information center to exchange research and practical medical information with APEC members, Department of Health Director General Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) said yesterday. Chen, who is scheduled to leave for Bangkok today for an APEC meeting of health ministers, said Taiwan will establish the international disease information center to share its experience in containing SARS, help other APEC member countries to establish their own systems against SARS or other epidemic diseases, and boost bilateral cooperation in the health and medical areas with APEC countries. It will be the first time that APEC has convened a health ministers meeting.

■ Human Rights
US official mentions Taiwan
Taiwan cited as a role model for democracy by Lorne Craner, US assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, during a meeting Tuesday with the press when reporting on US achievements in promoting human rights and democracy across the globe. While answering questions from reporters who voiced skepticism and asked for concrete results about the reports included in the Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The US Record 2002-2003, published by the State Department, Craner suggested: "Go to South Korea. Go to Taiwan. Go to many countries in Africa ..." South Korea, countries in Latin America and Eastern Europe and much of the former Soviet Union were also cited by Craner when he explained to the media the US government efforts and achievements in promoting democratic values.

■ Education
English study promoted
Citigroup Taiwan yesterday announced the launch of CitiSuccess Find Program, an educational endeavor aimed at offering financial support for elementary school teachers in Taiwan. The program, conducted in conjunction with the National Teachers' Association, is being funded by the Citigroup Foundation and provides US$100,000 to encourage innovative English teaching plans, according a statement issued by Citigroup. Chang Huei-shan, Director of the National Teachers' Association, said the association was delighted to have the opportunity to work with Citigroup in bringing the CitiSuccess Fund to schools nationwide. According to the statement, the Citisuccess Fund is open to all elementary English teachers in Taiwan.