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Wang calls for negotiations on price of US arms

The Ministry of National Defense should hold further negotiations with the US on the price of the arms deal before the Legislative Yuan reviews the budget, Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) said again yesterday.

Wang reiterated that he would also help push the statute governing the arms deal through the Procedure Committee this legislative session for review in the relevant committees.

Wang's statement came in response to US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Richard Lawless' warning to Taiwan in Phoenix two days ago.

Lawless said that if Taiwan continued to delay passing the budget, the US and other countries might begin to doubt Taiwan's determination to defend itself, and that it might become a burden for other countries.

"The Legislative Yuan, out of concern for tax payer money, hopes that the Ministry of National Defense will negotiate with the US further on the price and get a fair quote for the Legislative Yuan's review," Wang said.

When asked about when the Legislative Yuan would pass the statute and the budget, Wang said there was no hurry.

"The submarines and the anti-missile system Taiwan is purchasing will be delivered in two to three years' time at the earliest, and in 15 years at the latest. So it won't make a big difference to spend a few months reviewing the statute and the budget," Wang said.

"The Legislative Yuan will review the statute and the budget carefully and make a decision based on the consensus of all caucuses," Wang said.

Wang also said that the Legislative Yuan would stick to three principles: first, to allow the statute to be reviewed in relevant committees before the legislative elections, and second, the budget can be reviewed only after the statute is reviewed and passed.

"Lastly, the Legislative Yuan also has to guard the peoples' money and make the best judgment for Taiwan," Wang said.

The pan-blue caucuses were unhappy with Lawless' speech, and said the US had no right to interfere with Taiwan's domestic affairs.

People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) even stood up to criticize the feasibility of the arms deal.

"The US has been Taiwan's best friend, and the Taiwan Relations Act stipulates that the US should provide Taiwan with adequate weapons. But this means that the US should provide Taiwan with military aid, not military sales," Soong said.

"China is becoming the world's No. 1 economy, and we simply cannot afford to engage China in an arms race," Soong said.

The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus also expressed irritation over the Lawless' statement.

"The arms deal is being considered because of Taiwan's national security needs, and the US should not give its opinions on the deal and try to interfere with Taiwan's legislation. It is quite inappropriate for the US to interfere with Taiwanese domestic affairs," KMT caucus whip Huang Teh-fu (黃德福) said.
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