The US' top representative to Taiwan will not leave his post on July 1, and is now likely to remain until December, sources told the Taipei Times yesterday.
The decision for American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Douglas Paal to remain in place was primarily administrative, a US official in Washington said on condition of anonymity.
To be entitled to receive retirement benefits for his years in government service, Paal had to stay in his post "a few more months," the source said.
In accordance with US regulations governing benefits for civil servants, employees of the federal government must accrue a specific period of service to become eligible for certain benefits, such as pensions.
According to the US source, Paal is close to meeting the required term of service, but would fall short if he left on July 1. For this reason, the source said, the Bush administration was willing to let Paal stay on as AIT director until he "becomes eligible for the benefits that he has earned through his years of service to his country."
As the Bush administration was willing to accommodate Paal in the matter, it was also likely that the original choice to replace Paal, US ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Stephen Young, "was no longer being considered for the directorship of Taiwan, but would be posted elsewhere," the source said.
A separate source in Taipei confirmed the remarks, adding that the leading candidate to succeed Paal was now US ambassador to Singapore Frank Lavin.
Lavin is a veteran diplomat who has served in various positions in the Reagan, George Bush and George W. Bush administrations. He has a diverse academic background, having earned a bachelor's degree in foreign-service studies and three master's degrees -- one in Chinese language and history, one in international relations and economics and an MBA in finance.
Lavin is also a lieutenant commander in the US naval reserves.
A long-time supporter of the Bush dynasty, Lavin was also a major contributor to George W. Bush's presidential campaign in 2000.
Officials at AIT would neither confirm nor deny the reports, saying only that "we don't discuss the director's plans."
AIT is the US' de facto embassy in Taiwan, established under Section 6 of the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 and charged with overseeing the US' relationship with Taiwan.
Appointments to the directorship of the AIT do not require confirmation by the US Senate, unlike ambassadorial posts.
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