Taiwan names new defence minister in cabinet shake-up

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

TAIPEI, May 18 (Reuters) Taiwan has named a former military chief to be the island's new defence minister as part of an ongoing cabinet reshuffle ahead of next year's presidential elections.

Airforce General Lee Tien-yu, 60, who resigned as chief of the general staff in February to serve as one of President Chen Shui-bian's strategic advisors, was confirmed by a cabinet statement to replace Lee Jye.

Traditionally, the chief of the general staff has been promoted to minister, whose task it is to ensure the island's armed forces are in a constant state of readiness to repel a possible attack by arch rival China.

China views the democratically-ruled island as a part of its territory to be reunited some day, by force if necessary.

Last week Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-tsang quit as part of moves by the administration of Chen to help the ruling party consolidate ahead of the campaign for the presidential race in 2008.

A new cabinet, led by Chang Chun-hsiung, the island's top China negotiator, will be sworn in on Monday.

Incoming defence minister Lee will have to retire from the military before taking up the position, a requirement aimed at institutionalising civilian control of the military.

According to the constitution, the president is the commander-in-chief of the military, with the defence minister the second in charge.

Outgoing minister Lee, 66, was appointed in 2004, having served in a series of senior military positions including chief of the general staff.

He had come under criticism from opposition lawmakers for pushing for the purchase of an 18 billion dolars US arms package, whose budget has remain stuck in a highly partisan parliament for years despite being repeatedly trimmed in size.

Nationalist Party lawmakers, who favour closer ties with China, said the weapons package was provocative, too costly and unnecessary.

The budget would provide for eight diesel-powered submarines, P-3C submarine-hunting planes and the latest PAC-3 Patriot missile defence system.

Calls for Lee's resignation had intensified in recent weeks over a string of fatal training accidents including the deaths last week of four soldiers, including two from Singapore, when an ageing F-5F fighter jet crashed.

In April, a Vietnam War-era helicopter crashed into mountains killing eight military personnel.

REUTERS SYU ND1556

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