Minister of National Defense Tang Yao-ming (
"The military will also collect data about the deployment, mobility and reconnaissance capabilities of the Patriot system in the strike on Iraq. All of these are necessary for us to decide whether to buy the package," Tang said.
Tang revealed that the military might start preparing a budget for the system in 2005.
The Taiwanese military already owns a Patriot PAC-2 Plus system, similar to the version the US is deploying in the Middle East. The new deal would see the PAC-3 version brought to Taiwan.
"A top official in the US Army has testified in the US Congress that the interception rate of the Patriot is 67 percent," Tang said. The PAC-3, the newest version of the Patriot system, should have a higher interception rate of 80 percent."
Tang made the remarks yesterday at the legislature as part of his response to inquiries from lawmakers over the performance of the Patriot system in the Iraq war following reports of low-interception rates against Iraqi missiles.
Deputy Defense Minister for Armament General Chen Chao-ming (
Chen said this is below acceptable levels. He assured lawmakers that the military will ask the US to make improvements to the PAC-3 system before delivering it to Taiwan.
"We will set up certain conditions for the deal," Chen said, declining to go into details.
The PAC-3 differs from the PAC-2 in that it is designed mainly to defend against missiles. The PAC-2 is effective primarily against aircraft, with certain anti-missile capabilities.
The military only made the decision to buy the PAC-3 last month after a delay brought about by worries the missile system had yet to prove itself.
Budget concerns have also slowed down military plans.
It was reported that the PAC-3 deal, involving six batteries of the system, would cost over NT$100 billion.
Each PAC-3 interceptor missile is said to cost NT$140 million.
A defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the PAC-3 could be bought very soon since sites for the system have already been prepared.
"But we just do not have the money to close the deal. The first priority of the arms buildup is to strengthen sea power," the official said.
Meanwhile, despite Taiwan's staunch support for its US ally, Premier Yu Shyi-kun yesterday reiterated that Taiwan will not participate in the US-led war against Iraq but will consider offering humanitarian aid.
"We don't plan to share any of the military expenses accrued in the US-led war since we're not part of the war," Yu said. "However, we may provide humanitarian aid to needy countries. Of course, the plan has to be approved by the legislature." Since the US has not yet made such a request so far, Yu said, the Cabinet does not know exactly how much it will cost.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien (
"Our stance is clear, that is, the supply of any food or medical aid will come from domestic suppliers," Chien said. "We'd also like to see private charity groups participate in the campaign." Yu and Chien made the remarks during the morning legislative question-and-answer session.
They responded to the inquiries filed by Lo and KMT legislative leader Cheng Feng-shih (鄭逢時), who questioned the government's humanitarian aid in the wake of the US-led war against Iraq, requesting that the government carefully review the necessity of offering such assistance.
"While we offered US$32 million worth of humanitarian aid following the 1991 Gulf War, I hope the government takes into consideration the nation's financial difficulties and high unemployment rate," Lo said.
Yu yesterday said that the government is happy to sign a peace accord with China if it expresses such an interest.
"The Cabinet will make efforts to reach the goal since President Chen Shui-bian (
Echoing Yu's view, Tang said the peace accord with China has to be signed by the two governments and possess international credibility.
PRAISE: Japanese visitor Takashi Kubota said the Taiwanese temple architecture images showcased in the AI Art Gallery were the most impressive displays he saw Taiwan does not have an official pavilion at the World Expo in Osaka, Japan, because of its diplomatic predicament, but the government-backed Tech World pavilion is drawing interest with its unique recreations of works by Taiwanese artists. The pavilion features an artificial intelligence (AI)-based art gallery showcasing works of famous Taiwanese artists from the Japanese colonial period using innovative technologies. Among its main simulated displays are Eastern gouache paintings by Chen Chin (陳進), Lin Yu-shan (林玉山) and Kuo Hsueh-hu (郭雪湖), who were the three young Taiwanese painters selected for the East Asian Painting exhibition in 1927. Gouache is a water-based
A magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck eastern Taiwan's Hualien County at 2:23pm today, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA). The epicenter of the temblor was 5.4 kilometers northeast of Hualien County Hall, at a depth of 34.9 km, according to the CWA. The earthquake's intensity, which gauges the actual effect of a temblor, was the highest in Hualien County, where it measured 2 on Taiwan's 7-tier intensity scale. The quake also measured an intensity of 1 in Yilan county, Taichung, Nantou County, Changhua County and Yunlin County, the CWA said. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
OFF-TARGET: More than 30,000 participants were expected to take part in the Games next month, but only 6,550 foreign and 19,400 Taiwanese athletes have registered Taipei city councilors yesterday blasted the organizers of next month’s World Masters Games over sudden timetable and venue changes, which they said have caused thousands of participants to back out of the international sporting event, among other organizational issues. They also cited visa delays and political interference by China as reasons many foreign athletes are requesting refunds for the event, to be held from May 17 to 30. Jointly organized by the Taipei and New Taipei City governments, the games have been rocked by numerous controversies since preparations began in 2020. Taipei City Councilor Lin Yen-feng (林延鳳) said yesterday that new measures by
President William Lai (賴清德) has appointed former vice president Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) to attend the late Pope Francis’ funeral at the Vatican City on Saturday on his behalf, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said today. The Holy See announced Francis’ funeral would take place on Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square. The ministry expressed condolences over Francis’ passing and said that Chen would represent Taiwan at the funeral and offer condolences in person. Taiwan and the Vatican have a long-standing and close diplomatic relationship, the ministry said. Both sides agreed to have Chen represent Taiwan at the funeral, given his Catholic identity and
RSS