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Taiwanese Opposition to OK Patriot Purchase
The leading Taiwanese opposition party intends to end its two-year rejection of funding for four U.S.-made Patriot Advanced Capability 3 air-defense systems, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, Nov. 14). The Nationalist party could endorse future upgrades as well, according to caucus whip Tseng Yung-chuan. “The budget for another two units will be approved after the first four units are installed,” he said, noting that lawmakers were scheduled to vote on the budget for the first four units next week. Nationalist lawmakers had previously contended that the missile defenses would provoke a financially draining arms race with neighboring China. Tseng did not explain the change in the party’s stance on the system. The Patriot missile defenses were just one component of $16 billion in proposed weapons purchases that Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian has sought from the United States in response to an arms buildup by China, which considers Taiwan to be part of its territory (Associated Press/International Herald Tribune, Dec. 12).
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