TAIPEI, March 10 (Reuters) – The United States has not yet reached out to Taiwan over arms transfers to the Middle East, Defense Minister Koo Wellington said on Tuesday, after South Korea said it was in talks to potentially redeploy some U.S. Patriot missile systems.
The U.S. and South Korean militaries are discussing the possible redeployment of some U.S. Patriot missile defense systems stationed in South Korea for use in a war against Iran, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said on Friday.
* Speaking to reporters in parliament, Koo said if any U.S.-made weapons were to be redeployed, it would only happen if the U.S. requested it. * He added that if that happened, the United States would be responsible for transporting them. * “But so far, due to the US-Iraq war, they have not contacted us to inquire about using any of our related equipment,” Gu said. * The United States is Taiwan’s main arms supplier, and Taiwan has Patriot missiles in its arsenal. * Democratically governed Taiwan is facing increasing military pressure from China, which considers the island its own territory. Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims. * Patriot systems are being prepared for redeployment in the Middle East and heavy U.S. military transport aircraft have flown to Osan to deliver them, media reports quoted South Korean government sources as saying.
(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Kevin Buckland)
