Annual arms sales talks between Taiwan and the US will be replaced by irregular discussions between the nation's military and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), a local Chinese-language newspaper reported yesterday.
The planned change is being viewed as a sign by military officials that the US now regards Taiwan in the same way as it does its diplomatic allies when it comes to arms sales, the report said.
Under normal procedures, a diplomatic ally of the US submits requests to purchase weaponry through its US embassy.
Because Taiwan lacks formal diplomatic relations with the US, it must hold a special meeting each year in Washington to discuss arms purchase requests -- as has been done over the past two decades.
However, the annual talks are scheduled to be abolished starting from next year.
US President George W. Bush said he was doing away with the discussions following the conclusion of this year's arms talks.
Yesterday's media report said irregular discussions between the nation's military and the AIT will fill that void. After discussions, arms purchase requests are to be sent to Washington for final approval.
Both the Ministry of National Defense and the AIT refused to comment on yesterday's report.
A defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there was still room for Taiwan to discuss with the US whether the new practice will be acceptable.
"Efficiency is our primary concern. We're a little worried about whether the new way of requesting arms from the US will be as efficient as the annual talks," the official said.
"But on the bright side, we can our submit our arms purchase requests to the US at any time of year. The new practice is certainly far more flexible."
Andrew Yang (楊念祖), secretary-general of the Chinese Council of Advanced Policy Studies, also said the new arrangement would give the military more flexibility in negotiations.
"If the US sends the right men from the AIT to take charge of the sales, it will only expedite our purchasing process," Yang said. "Otherwise, the results could be counter-productive."
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