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National Security Bureau to keep eye on global terrorism

The National Security Bureau will closely monitor the general trend in global terrorist activities in the wake of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein's arrest, a senior bureau official said yesterday.

Deputy Director Wang Chin-wang (王進旺) made the comments at a meeting of the Legislative Yuan's Judiciary Committee which was deliberating a draft bill on anti-terrorist operations.

Fielding questions from opposition People First Party (PFP) Legislator Chin Hui-chu (秦慧珠) about the government's views on Saddam's capture, Wang said bureau Director Tsai Chao-ming (蔡朝明) informed President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) of Saddam's arrest immediately after receiving the news.

Wang said the bureau will closely monitor worldwide terrorist activities, adding that it remains unclear at the moment whether such activities around the world will level off or intensify following Saddam's capture.

In related news developments, Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien (簡又新) told lawmakers earlier in the day that although Taiwan was not included in a list of 63 countries allowed to join tenders for post-war reconstruction contracts in Iraq, it could become subcontractors for reconstruction projects in that country.

Chien said all the 63 listed countries have sent personnel to join the US-led war military action or peacekeeping work in Iraq.

While Taiwan has offered humanitarian aid to Iraqi refugees, it has not participated in military action nor peacekeeping operations, so it was not included in the US list.

Nevertheless, he said, Taiwan still has opportunities to win subcontracts in Iraq from main contractors.

In the meantime, a spokesman for state-owned Chinese Petroleum said Saddam's arrest will help stabilize international crude oil supply and prices and thus contribute to global economic development.

As to domestic oil prices, the company said it cannot forecast the price trend at the moment.

"While world oil prices drop, the US dollar's exchange rate may rebound to offset the benefits from lower international oil prices. I'm not sure at present whether we can afford to lower domestic oil prices. But one thing is certain that international oil prices will remain stable for some time," Chien said.
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