AFP+Reuters: Beijing impeding aid, says Taipei

[Dao Van <daotb@yahoo.com>]

SEP 25 1999

Beijing impeding aid, says Taipei

Minister accuses China of holding up international rescue missions from
reaching Taiwan by refusing them permission to fly through its airspace

TAIPEI -- Taiwan alleged yesterday that international efforts to respond
to its devastating earthquake had been delayed by political meddling by
China. 

Foreign Minister Jason Hu accused China of holding up rescue missions
from reaching Taipei by refusing them permission to fly through Chinese
airspace. 

A large contingent of Russian disaster and survivor-location specialists
was delayed 12 crucial hours as they flew around China via Siberia, he
said, eventually landing almost two days after Tuesday's pre-dawn quake.

He said of Chinese officials: "Their words and deeds violate
international humanitarian principles. 

"They not only cannot be accepted by our
22 million people, but will also be condemned and regarded with shame
and regret by members of the international community."

He also indicated Taipei was incensed by reports that Beijing was
obliging countries to seek its blessing when sending emergency-relief
teams and supplies to Taiwan on the grounds that it was a province under
Chinese sovereignty. 

"In many cases, this delayed foreign
rescuers in carrying out their relief work in Taiwan," he said. 

He added that Beijing's actions, including its thanking of foreign
donors for their assistance on behalf of Taiwan's people, had made it
impossible for the island to accept Beijing's own offers of humanitarian
aid. 

"We welcome no assistance that is
attached to political motivations and conditions," Mr Hu said. 

"Although natural disasters hurt our
loved ones and our homes, they cannot shake our determination to rebuild
our homes and safeguard our dignity."

Mr Sheu Ke-sheng, vice-chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council, said:
"The Chinese communists are making political gestures at the expense" of
the island's disaster. 

"This is extremely inappropriate. It
won't help genuine interaction across the Taiwan Strait."

The United States, Japan and more than a dozen other countries, despite
having formal ties only with Beijing, have responded swiftly with
multi-million-dollar search-and-rescue missions. 

A Chinese disaster-relief official yesterday expressed disappointment at
Taiwan's rejection of aid. 

Mr Li Bengong of the China Disaster Relief Association said: "We still
haven't heard from them." -- Reuters, AFP

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