An American investment company in March purchased Germany's biggest shipyard HDW's 75 percent of share, European Commission passed the acquisition on May 31, so it is possible that the shipyard will sell 8 submarines to Taiwan indirectly, German newspaper Handelsblatt reported the news on June 3.
The newspaper said that German Chancellor has approved the deal.
According to Taiwan's "Central News Agency", Handelsblatt's exclusive report pointed out that after the European Commission passed the acquisition last Friday, American investment company OEP president expressed that the company will cooperate with another two American companies: NorthropGrumman and General Dynamic.
Both of the two companies have military backgrounds, what's more, senior officials of the two have very close contacts, this has caused Germany government's suspicion about OEP's motive on the acquisition.
Handelsblatt reported the news as headline with a large page titled US Company's Purpose of Acquisition of HDW Is to Export Submarine on that day.
The newspaper pointed out that HDW's president ever went to German chancellor's office, expressing that the stock sale to OEP aims to resell the eight submarines to Taiwan, but the chancellor office did not show opposition that day.
But till now, the German government still reiterates that the acquisition is merely an investment, no other purpose.
German Chancellor denied the approval
German Chancellor Schroeder said on June 3 in Berlin that the German government admits that only the People's Republic of China is the lawful government, Germany forbids any sale of submarine to Taiwan.
According to Xinhua, Schroeder made the remark on the same day when the newspaper released the article, he also said that the German government did not participate in any negotiations on the submarine sale to Taiwan.
Germany economic department spokesman also said that even if HDW sells one part of its share to US company, the Germany government will not allow the shipyard to sell submarine to Taiwan. Germany does not change its stance on military exports to Taiwan.
( June 4, 2002)
