Military experts push anti-terror role

Foreign military experts attending a regional security forum yesterday suggested Taiwan's military could enhance cooperation with its counterparts in the US and Japan by joining international rescue missions and regional anti-terrorism activity.

Cynthia Watson, a professor from the US National War College, said Taiwan should consider sending transport vessels, freighters and helicopters as well as military personnel and medical resources to provide help during regional emergencies and crises.

The two-day forum, hosted by the Ministry of National Defense, concluded yesterday. Other notable attendees included Randall Schriver, former US deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, Dan Blumenthal, vice chairman of the US-China Security and Economic Review Commission and several retired military officers from Japan, the US and India.

The experts exchanged views on Taiwan-US-Japan military cooperation, China's military ambition and the crackdown on international terrorism.

Ministry Spokesman Rear Admiral Wu Chi-fang (吳季方) said the forum had been a great success because the military had received several good suggestions through its communication with the foreign experts.

Sensitive topics

Because the forum discussed such sensitive topics and several of the foreign guests had only recently left their posts, to make the discussion more open, the ministry decided to make the forum a closed-door affair, he added.

However, the ministry allowed reporters from the military media, including the Youth Daily News, to attend the forum and report on the proceedings, said Wu.

According to the newspaper, Watson said the international community needed an active and passionate Taiwan to utilize its military resources for international rescue missions.

She said Taiwan has helped its allies in Central America prevent natural disasters for over 20 years. In 2004 the country performed well during its rescue efforts following the devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean.

Taiwan is located at the center of East Asia, which enables the country to quickly respond to any crisis in the region, she added.

Taiwan could tell its allies that it is willing to take on international rescue missions, and be well prepared, she was quoted as saying in the report.

Action on terrorism

Retired US Brigadier General Russell Howard said Taiwan should actively join the international action on terrorism.

Military equipment, personnel, training and intelligence are the best resources for combating terrorism. Taiwan, a country with a strong military, should play an active role in fighting regional terrorism, he said.

Former deputy minister of national defense Tsai Ming-hsien (蔡明憲) said if Taiwan was able to build a military cooperation mechanism with the US and Japan, the system would be able to deter China's military ambition, and subsequently, push China to make its military more transparent.

Schriver told the forum that he encouraged countries in the region to agree on a confidence building mechanism to avoid any accidental conflicts from happening.

He also suggested Taiwan seek an unofficial mechanism agreement with China.