Taiwan Parliament blocks bill on U.S. arms deal
(Japan Economic Newswire)TAIPEI, Dec. 23_(Kyodo) _ Taiwan's major arms deal with the United States returned to square one Friday as the opposition-controlled parliament adjourned the day's session, effectively blocking the bill from being put on the legislative agenda.
The bill was approved without debate Tuesday in the Procedure Committee of the Legislative Yuan in a surprise move launched by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party caucus whip Lai Ching-te, who wanted it put to a vote before more opposition lawmakers were able to arrive for the afternoon meeting.
The unanticipated move infuriated the opposition, which made it a short-lived victory Friday in the Legislative Yuan. The opposition parties brought up a motion to adjourn Friday's plenary session shortly after it began.
"The DPP's improper tactic led to the result," the Nationalist Party caucus whip Tseng Yung-chuan said. "We hope that such an important issue can be thoroughly discussed in a rational way and then go through necessary procedures."
On Thursday, the military proposed cutting a special budget for purchasing U.S. submarines to NT$299 billion (US$9 billion) from NT$340 billion, a second reduction proposal, and seeking to have expenditures on P-3C antisubmarine aircraft included in the regular military budget in the hope of winning more opposition support.
The legislature demands that the money for PAC-III antimissile systems be eliminated, given a veto in a referendum held together with the 2004 presidential election.
The opposition said the proposed budget, which has been blocked 41 times in the past 18 months, is too high and that acquisition of such weapons will trigger an unnecessary arms race with China.
China sees Taiwan as part of its own territory and threatens to attack should it declares formal independence.
The Pentagon has warned that the military balance across the Taiwan Strait will soon tip in favor of China, as the country is pushing forward with military modernization based on strong economic growth.
The bill was approved without debate Tuesday in the Procedure Committee of the Legislative Yuan in a surprise move launched by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party caucus whip Lai Ching-te, who wanted it put to a vote before more opposition lawmakers were able to arrive for the afternoon meeting.
The unanticipated move infuriated the opposition, which made it a short-lived victory Friday in the Legislative Yuan. The opposition parties brought up a motion to adjourn Friday's plenary session shortly after it began.
"The DPP's improper tactic led to the result," the Nationalist Party caucus whip Tseng Yung-chuan said. "We hope that such an important issue can be thoroughly discussed in a rational way and then go through necessary procedures."
On Thursday, the military proposed cutting a special budget for purchasing U.S. submarines to NT$299 billion (US$9 billion) from NT$340 billion, a second reduction proposal, and seeking to have expenditures on P-3C antisubmarine aircraft included in the regular military budget in the hope of winning more opposition support.
The legislature demands that the money for PAC-III antimissile systems be eliminated, given a veto in a referendum held together with the 2004 presidential election.
The opposition said the proposed budget, which has been blocked 41 times in the past 18 months, is too high and that acquisition of such weapons will trigger an unnecessary arms race with China.
China sees Taiwan as part of its own territory and threatens to attack should it declares formal independence.
The Pentagon has warned that the military balance across the Taiwan Strait will soon tip in favor of China, as the country is pushing forward with military modernization based on strong economic growth.
posted by Marko at 12/24/2005 11:41:00 AM
<< Home