Officials yesterday expressed reservations over an idea proposed by KMT lawmakers for Taiwan to airlift and treat Iraqi children injured in the recent war there.
The foreign ministry said during the meeting that one of the main problems was getting US approval for transportation from Iraq now that the country's air traffic control system is under US control.
"We consider the extreme international disruption [from the war], which the foreign ministry pointed out, as the most difficult challenge to such a proposal," said KMT Legislator Hsu Chung-hsiung (
Hsu spoke after a closed-door meeting in which officials from several ministries briefed KMT legislators on their initial evaluation of the plan.
"The United States has been dominant in providing post-war aid to Iraq, leaving little room for participation by other countries," said Su Jun-pin (
The ministry report also said it would take up to 14 hours to fly from Baghdad to Taipei, a journey that would require going via Abu Dabi in the absence of direct links.
Cultural differences between Iraqis and Taiwanese could also raise problems when handling visiting Iraqi children and their families, the ministry's report said.
Officials from the Department of Health and the Ministry of Transport and Communications said there would be only minor difficulties for Taiwan in receiving Iraqi children in need of urgent medical assistance.
Su said KMT legislators asked the officials to present a final report within two weeks on the progress made realizing the plan.
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