A charter flight carrying evacuated U.S. officials, private citizens and their dependents from disaster-ravaged Japan touched down March 18 at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.
U.S. Undersecretary of State Patrick Kennedy confirmed March 17 in Washington that this was the first American evacuation flight to arrive in Taiwan, with one or two additional charters likely to follow.
The U.S. decision to evacuate nationals living in the major Japanese cities of Tokyo, Nagoya and Yokohama comes amid fears that tsunami-damaged reactors at the Fukushima nuclear power plant may be close to core meltdown.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the National Security Bureau and Ministry of Foreign Affairs are assisting in the evacuation operation. “These agencies have also arranged fast-track customs clearance and accommodation arrangements for the visitors,” they added.
In related news, the American Institute in Taiwan said it has suspended routine visa services in support of evacuation operations until further notice. (JSM)
Write to Meg Chang at meg.chang@mail.gio.gov.tw