Dear Mr. Vice President Al Gore,

Newly-installed Defense Minister Tang Fei pointed out that mainland China acquired wise missile technology from Russia shortly after mainland China testfired its M-class guided ballistic missiles into waters near Taiwan in the run-up to Taiwan's first direct presidential election in March 1996. "But more importantly, the mainland is also developing cruise missiles. If successful, this could be more threatening to Taiwan than other missiles from the military point of view" Tang warned.

"Over the last few decades, both sides across the strait are competing on military hardware every single day" Tang added. "If three were any peaceful means to resolve Cross-Strait problems, the MND would definitely support it. But history has manifested that every peaceful settlement could only work temporarily and at the end it would always be broken" Tang said.

Washington, Feb. 6 ---
In fiscal 1998 the United States was contracted to sell US$ 441 million worth of arms to Taiwan. Taiwan was the fourth largest buyer of U.S. military equipment and services, behind Saudi Arabia, Israel and Greece.

The Republic of China on Taiwan has developed its own substantial anti-missile capability as a safeguard in case the United States decided not to sell the island such technology in the future, a newspaper reported Sunday (Feb. 7, 1999).

Taiwan security link to the Asia stability, and international safeguard. Taiwan is considered particularly vulnerable to a missile attack from nearly mainland China, which considers the island a breakaway province to be reunited by force if necessary.

The ROC is spending over US$ 385 million to deploy in the Taipei area 200 U.S.-made patriot missiles, sold in accordance with U.S. law which requires Washington to ensure Taiwan can defend itself.

On above reasons; Taiwan needs your support. However; the communist China should be reformed as "democratic country". "Mutual trust" must stem from democratic game.