President Chen Shui-bian (
Speaking via videoconference to an audience at a Washington think tank on Thursday, Chen said that Taiwan's legislature had approved the budget for the F-16 procurement plan in the hopes that the US would begin price negotiations for the deal next month.
However, Chen said, information available to him showed that the administration of US President George W. Bush seemed to be dragging its feet and may wait until after Taiwan's new president assumes office next year to approve the deal.
He told the audience at the American Enterprise Institute in the US capital that China continues to deploy ballistic missiles along its southeastern coast targeting Taiwan.
"The current number of missiles stands at nearly 1,000, and it is increasing by 120 to 150 per year," Chen said.
Moreover, he said, China's People's Liberation Army has formulated a three-stage military plan for possible war with Taiwan: establishing combat capabilities for a comprehensive contingency response by the end of this year, for large-scale military engagement by 2010, and for complete victory in a decisive battle by 2015.
According to media reports, the Bush administration may delay its decision on the fighter deal to show its displeasure with Chen's push for a referendum on Taiwan's bid for UN membership under the name Taiwan, which US officials worry could upset the delicate balance of power keeping peace in the Taiwan Strait by angering China.
Despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties, the US is permitted by the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 to provide Taiwan with defensive weapons.
Chen said it is hoped that the Bush administration could ratify the F-16 deal soon to help upgrade Taiwan's airborne arsenal and beef up its air defense.
Taiwan has received more than US$70 million in royalties as of the end of last year from developing the F-16V jet as countries worldwide purchase or upgrade to this popular model, government and military officials said on Saturday. Taiwan funded the development of the F-16V jet and ended up the sole investor as other countries withdrew from the program. Now the F-16V is increasingly popular and countries must pay Taiwan a percentage in royalties when they purchase new F-16V aircraft or upgrade older F-16 models. The next five years are expected to be the peak for these royalties, with Taiwan potentially earning
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