Taiwan to Push for More Arms Despite U.S. Freeze

Taiwan to Push for More Arms Despite U.S. Freeze

17 Jul, 2008: TAIPEI - Taiwan said July 17 that it would keep pushing for the procurement of self-defensive weapons from the U.S. despite Washington's recent decision to freeze arms sales to the island. "We'll step up communications with the United States," the island's leading arms supplier, defense ministry spokeswoman Chi Yu-lan said, without elaborating. Another defense ministry official who spoke on condition of anonymity said, "the defense ministry certainly is unhappy with the development, especially after [Taiwan's parliament] has set aside budget for the proposed arms sales." Navy Adm. Timothy Keating, commander of the Hawaii-based U.S. Pacific Command, told a forum July 16 in Washington that the freeze on U.S. arms sales to Taiwan was "administration policy." Keating was the first U.S. official to confirm the freeze following reports last month that senior U.S. officials were holding up an $11 billion weapons package and delivery of dozens of F-16 jet fighters for Taiwan, possibly until after President George W. Bush leaves office. Keating said the U.S. decision was made in light of the warming ties between Taiwan and China, as well as Beijing's concerns. "President Ma Ying-jeou has made it clear that Taiwan must go ahead with its arms buildup" as a bargaining chip in rapprochement talks with Beijing, the second defense ministry officer said. Addressing hundreds of military cadets early this month, Ma said, "While Taiwan would never seek a military showdown, we will by no means avoid a war nor be afraid of taking it on" if necessary, amid China's repeated threats to invade Taiwan should it declare formal independence. Ties have begun warming since China-friendly Ma took office in May. He pledged to improve relations with the island's neighbor, starting with the first direct flights in nearly six decades early this month. However, the Taipei-based China Times reported earlier this month that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) had built a new ballistic missile base on China's southeastern coast opposite Taiwan and replaced some missiles deployed with improved versions.