To the Taiwanese legislature’s defense committee

For voting down funds to purchase Patriot PAC-III missile defense systems and P-3C Orion submarine-hunting aircraft. The Legislative Yuan, controlled by Taiwan’s long-time ruling party — but now opposition party — the Kuomintang, has consistently blocked approval of a U.S. arms-sale package that the KMT originally proposed. The effect is to undermine American efforts to bolster the island’s defenses, and potentially increase the danger to U.S. forces. The Bush Administration has tended to blame President Chen Shui-bien for the impasse, but needs to pressure the KMT overtly.