Following the premier's dismissal on Friday of a legislator's accusation that the government had launched a nuclear weapons program, President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen said "there is no nuclear missile in Taiwan," adding that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration "is not going to develop any nuclear missiles."
Chen made the remarks during a trip to Tainan City, in response to Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Su Chi's (蘇起) claims.
PHOTO: CNA
At a question-and-answer session at the legislature on Friday, Su said that the president had recently ordered Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology under the Ministry of National Defense to begin developing nuclear weapons, including nuclear warheads.
Su said he had overheard a heavyweight DPP legislator talking about the nuclear program and saying he was against it.
Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (
Despite the threat posed by hundreds of Chinese missiles aimed at Taiwan, the development of Taiwan's military weapons focuses on war prevention and self-defense, Chang said.
During an interview with the Central News Agency later on Friday evening, Su acknowledged that he had no evidence to back his claims, eventually conceding that he had drawn his conclusions based on "inference."
He said that he had inferred that the government had launched a nuclear weapons program based on information he has "accumulated over the years, as well as on observations and an understanding of the international situation."
Su said that the remarks he claimed to have overheard were "the last straw" and had brought him to a final conclusion.
Su said "the government's intention to develop nuclear weapons" was a "big change," adding that he felt an obligation to "disclose this information."
Chen called Su's claims "a complete lie," adding that making up such a "sensational story" indicated the legislator did not care about national security and interests.
Chen said that the KMT government had considered developing nuclear weapons 20 years ago, adding that it was preposterous to pin such allegations on the DPP.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man
RSS