An Executive Yuan spokesman yesterday ruled out the possibility of Premier Frank Hsieh (
Discounting media reports that Hsieh would probably board a Knox-class frigate today to inspect the situation in disputed waters where Taiwan's boundary overlaps with that of Japan, Cabinet spokesman Cho Jung-tai (
Although Hsieh will not board the frigate, the resolve of the premier and the government to protect the rights and interests of the country's fishermen is unwavering, Cho said.
The frigate is scheduled to sail to waters near a disputed part of the East China Sea today to allow lawmakers to view how the administration is protecting Taiwan's fishermen operating there.
The spokesman stressed that it is not necessary for the premier sail to the disputed area to demonstrate the administration's determination in protecting the fishermen.
He added that having Hsieh join the voyage would blur the focus of the government's efforts to protect fishermen in the area and would raise tensions, which he said the premier wishes to avoid.
Taiwanese fishing ships have repeatedly been expelled or detained by Japanese patrol vessels over the past two years after Japan readjusted and expanded its exclusive economic zone to as close as some 37km off the coasts of Ilan and Hualien counties.
The Cabinet has filed a protest against Japan over the controversy via Taiwan's liaison office in Tokyo and has asked that Taiwan and Japan seek to resolve their fishing disputes through dialogue in line with international law.
Ahead of the 15th round of Taiwan-Japan fishery talks, Taiwanese fishermen have been asked by the Coast Guard Administration to operate within the area temporarily demarcated by the government.
Meanwhile, the Suao Fishermen's Association reported recently that 13 Suao fishing boats have been seized by Japan since 2001 while operating in Taiwan's economic zone, and the boat owners or families of the fishermen have had to pay for their release.
An association official said that overlapping economic zones and fishing rights being encroached upon are long-standing problems, and if the government is unable to solve them, the fishermen could stage a bigger protest next time.
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