February 23, 2006 :: News
Taiwan will resubmit its bid to buy Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) surface-to-air missile batteries from the U.S. On Wednesday, National Defense Minister Lee Jye said that the Defense Ministry’s plan will be resubmitted to the Legislative Yuan in March 2007, when the ban on such discussion expires. The current ban is the result of a failed referendum held in tandem with the 2004 Taiwanese presidential election, which stipulates that an issue cannot be put to referendum within three years of a previous one. During the past two years, the opposition-controlled legislature has blocked two bills submitted by the Democratic Progressive Party-led government asking for a special budget to buy six PAC-3 batteries from the U.S., as well as eight diesel-electric submarines and a squadron of 12 P-3C submarine-hunting aircraft.
U.S. Representative Rob Simmons (R-CT) noted on Wednesday that Taiwan is “running out of time” on the U.S. arms procurement deal, as it is uncertain what the next administration’s stance will be on the issue.
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