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Cabinet allows tourists on bases

In a bid to boost the tourism industry and economy on outlying islands, the Executive Yuan yesterday approved the opening up of eight military outposts in Kinmen and Penghu counties.

They include the islets of Tatan (大膽), Erhtan (二膽), Chienkong (建功); the Triangle Bastion (三角堡) and General Fortress (將軍堡) and Hochai military base (后宅營區). All of them are in Kinmen County.

The military-restriction areas in Penghu County include Tongtai Fortress (東台古堡) on Hsiyu islet and Kongpei (拱北砲台) on Huhsi islet.

The decision was made yesterday afternoon during the meeting of the Cabinet's committee for the construction of offshore islands.

According to Cabinet Spokesman Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), the move came in response to requests from the Kinmen County and Penghu governments.

"We hope the move will boost efforts to turn the former battle-grounds into gateways for goodwill and reconciliation with our Chinese counterpart," Lin said.

Lin, however, declined to comment on whether the troops would be withdrawn from the frontline islets, pointing out that the military has to make that decision.

"The county governments will then take over the management and development of the islets after the security measures are implemented," Lin said.

Tatan and Erhtan drew public attention in May last year when President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) visited the troops deployed there.

On that occasion Chen also extended an olive branch to Chinese President Jiang Zemin (江澤民).

During Premier Yu Shyi-kun's trip to the two frontline outlets in September last year, he instructed Kinmen County to assess the possibility of opening the two islets, as well as four other military outposts, to tourism
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