Taipei, March 20 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian expressed solidarity with the United States over its operation against Iraq after being informed by U.S. government of the start of its attack against Baghdad Thursday morning.
Chen made the comment at a National Security Council conference saying that he asked Taipei's representative office in Washington and its U.S. counterpart, the American Institute in Taiwan, to convey his support for the United States to Washington.
The conference, which brought together the president's top security aides as well as the ministers for foreign affairs, home affairs, transportation and mainland affairs, was called to ensure that the country has prepared for all possible fallout from the war in the Middle East.
He asked the National Security Council and the Executive Yuan to press home the message, both at home and abroad, that Taiwan sides with Washington.
The president asked the Executive Yuan to cushion the war's impact on the foreign exchange market and stock market and to ensure the stability of the economy.
The Ministry of National Defense should keep vigilance against any military incident which would jeopardize the stability across the Taiwan Strait, the president went on.
In regard to domestic security, the president said, the law enforcement authorities should prevent international terrorists from venting their revenge on the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should do whatever necessary to ensure the safety of its overseas offices and overseas Chinese.
The president also called on Asian Pacific states, especially the United States, Japan, South Korea and the People's Republic of China to work together to maintain stability in the region.