Can Patriot Missiles be used to shoot down low flying Cruise Missiles?
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Taiwan president says US missile deal to go ahead
http://www.abc.net.au/ra/newstories/RANewsStories_1049085.htm
Taiwan says it will press ahead with plans to buy anti-missile Patriot PAC-3 systems from the United States, even if a referendum on boosting defence capabilities is rejected next month.
President Chen Shui-bian says the government will not cancel a $US15 billion arms package offered by the US president, George W Bush, three years ago.
The referendum, to coincide with presidential elections on March 20, will ask voters if Taiwan should buy more anti-missile equipment if China does not withdraw nearly 500 missiles pointed at the island.
President Chen says it would not be contradictory for Taiwan to buy the Patriot PAC-3 missiles if the referendum is rejected.
He says the referendum refers to generally boosting national defence and buying anti-missile systems, not on specifically whether Taiwan should buy anti-missile missiles.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory waiting to be reunified, by force if necessary, since the two sides split in 1949 at the end of a civil war
