REASSIGNMENTS: The recently formed Missile Defense Command will be disbanded, but the defense minister seemed to imply that Taiwan was developing ballistic missiles
By Rich Chang
Minister of National Defense Lee Jye (李傑) yesterday for the first time may have implied that Taiwan is developing long-range strategic missiles.

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TEST-FIRING: No one appeared surprised by Sunday's launch of a missile and officials took pains to separate it from concerns over Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions
The US, Japan and South Korea yesterday played down North Korea's test-firing of a short-range missile off its east coast, saying it was not related to Pyongyang's drive for nuclear weapons.

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SINGING SALUTE: Chen was treated to a choir and a parade while he spoke to the Marshallese Congress and spelled out his idea for a development program
By Jimmy Chuang
During the second day of his Marshall Islands trip yesterday, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said that Beijing and Taipei should learn to trust each other in order to prevent a military confrontation. He also said that he is always willing to negotiate with the Chinese government under the principles of democracy and peace.

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By Ko Shu-ling
The Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) said that it will stage a sit-in at CKS International Airport today to "welcome" Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) on his return from China, while the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said that it will not ban its members from going to the airport.

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Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi yesterday underlined Tokyo's concern over the EU's plans to lift an arms embargo on China at a summit with European leaders in Luxembourg, while in Manila, Japan's defense minister agreed to expand cooperation with the Philippines.

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