Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien (簡又新) yesterday denied a Chinese-language newspaper report that tipped Antonio Chang (江春男), deputy secretary-general of the National Security Council (NSC), to have been nominated as Taiwan's new envoy to Israel, although the incumbent representative is about to leave the post for good.
Yang Rung-tsao (
Chien called the rumored report "groundless" although he admitted that veteran diplomat Yang, 65, was scheduled to retire.
The foreign minister said it's likely that Yang's successor would be handpicked from within the ministry.
When contacted by telephone yesterday, Tel Aviv-based Yang confirmed his imminent retirement from diplomatic duty.
He said he has not yet planned any timetables for his return to Taipei.
"Mr. Chang is my friend as well as my boss. He has visited Israel three times during my three-year tenure here. He has just returned to Taipei from Israel on April 12," Yang told reporters.
Chang, currently in an Asian city on a work trip, was not available yesterday for comment, but sources close to Chang denied the report.
Yang said he is more than willing to continue with his work in Israel as long as the country wants him to stay on in Tel Aviv.
The foreign ministry's regulations stipulate that any diplomat over the age of 65 should retire, although exceptions can be made in special circumstances.
It is expected that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will make an announcement on the matter in the near future.
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