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Groups propose televised debate on weapons purchase

Two civic groups have asked the Ministry of National Defense to hold public debates on the proposed NT$610.8 billion (US$18.23 billion) procurement of arms from the US.

The National Alliance Against the NT$610.8 billion Arms Procurement and the Democracy Action Alliance made the request in a joint press conference yesterday.

Chang Ya-chung (張亞中), convener of the national alliance and a professor at National Taiwan University, said that the astronomical sum of the proposed arms purchase will surely squeeze budgets in other areas, affecting social and economic security.

Chang said the alliance hopes to publicly debate the issues related to military security, noting that during a meeting with Chen Pan-chi (陳邦治), head of the ministry's General Political Warfare Bureau on Monday, Chen had agreed to a debate.

Chang expressed the hope that the debates could be held on television as soon as possible, adding that the debates will help the public to learn about the issues related to national security and will make arms procurement transparent.

In addition to the public debate, the alliance will publish the names of those legislators who are in favor of the arms deal early next month, and will use music or other creative methods to draw the attention of youth to the arms procurement plan.

Chang said that he hopes to awaken the people to the issues of security in order to monitor the arms procurement policy of the Democratic Progressive Party and to prevent the country from engaging in an arms race with China and from depleting national resources.

The Executive Yuan approved the special budget in June to buy six Patriot PAC-III missiles, eight diesel-fueled submarines and a squadron of 12 P-3C anti-submarine aircraft.

The package is now pending review and approval by the Legislative Yuan.
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