Taipei, June 28 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Monday the Republic of China government's arms procurement projects have consistently been aimed at safeguarding peace in the Taiwan Strait.
Chen made the remarks while meeting with U.S. Congressman Scott McInnis (R-Colo.) who arrived in Taipei Sunday for a goodwill visit.
The president told his guest that he is very grateful for the Bush administration's consent in April 2001 to sell a robust package of military hardware to Taiwan.
Chen further said he remembered vividly that Taiwan took the initiative to purchase those weapons to meet its practical defense needs. "We had lobbied strenuously for the procurement project. The package was not the result of any U.S. pressure as some opponents or critics claim," Chen said.
Chen pointed out that the submarines, the Patriot anti-missile batteries and the P-3C anti-submarine aircraft are all needed to beef up Taiwan's defense capabilities in the face of mainland China's military threat. "Our arms procurement projects are mainly aimed at protecting lasting peace in the Taiwan Strait, avoiding a cross-strait imbalance in military strength and in safeguarding Taiwan's hard-won democratic achievements, " Chen said, adding that maintaining the cross-strait military balance is expected to help be the catalyst for the early resumption of bilateral talks.
Chen also took advantage of the occasion to clarify his administration's constitutional reform plan. In his May 20 inaugural speech, Chen said, he clearly explained Taiwan's urgent need for a new constitution suitable for the present status quo. "Formulating a new constitution is primarily to ensure good governance and to upgrade Taiwan's overall competitiveness, " Chen said, adding that he already outlined in his inaugural address the scope and procedures for Taiwan's constitutional re-engineering.
Chen said his administration is responsible and idealistic yet pragmatic. "We are firm in pursuing progress, but we are also realistic as well. We fully understand the importance of forging an internal consensus and solidarity as well as stabilizing cross-strait relations and promoting economic prosperity, " Chen said, adding that he will endeavor to end domestic disharmony and confrontation in the wake of the bitterly fought March 20 presidential election.