Taiwanese President Vows to Pursue Missile Defenses Regardless of Voter Sentiment

Taiwan will continue with the planned purchases of U.S. missile interceptors regardless of the outcome of a missile defense referendum slated to be held next month, Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian said yesterday (see GSN, Jan. 15).

The referendum, scheduled for March 20, poses two questions to Taiwanese voters — whether Taiwan should improve its missile defenses if China continues to threaten the island and whether Taiwan should seek to engage China in peace talks (Kathrin Hille, Financial Times, Feb. 19).

Chen said yesterday, though, that regardless of the outcome of the referendum, Taiwan would continue with a planned $15 billion special budget that includes the purchase of Patriot Advanced Capability 3 missile interceptors.

“Whether or not this referendum is passed will not affect our ongoing research. Likewise, ongoing arms purchase items listed under existing annual and special budget will go ahead,” he said (Reuters/Planet Ark, Feb. 20).

Back to top
About Newswire  |  Contact National Journal  |  Re-Use Guidelines © Copyright 2008 by National Journal Group, Inc. The material in this section is produced independently for NTI by National Journal Group, Inc. Any reproduction or retransmission, in whole or in part, is a violation of federal law and is strictly prohibited without the consent of the National Journal Group, Inc. All rights reserved.