Washington should provide Taipei with an investigative report on the death of a Taiwanese fishing boat captain as soon as possible, according to ROC Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Chin-tien Yang June 16.
“The U.S. has not adequately explained the circumstances surrounding skipper Wu Lai-yu’s death,” Yang said. “Our patience in this matter is not inexhaustible.”
Yang made the remarks at a news conference in Taipei following a meeting with William A. Stanton, director of the American Institute in Taiwan.
Sources familiar with the matter said Stanton declined to comment on the meeting with Yang, but stated that the Taiwan-U.S. relationship is of great significance. “This is a regular meeting between the two sides,” they added.
Wu, who was in charge of the Jih-chun Tsai 68 when Somali pirates took control of the vessel last March, lost his life May 10 during an operation conducted by guided missile frigate USS Stephen W. Groves off the coast of the failed East African state, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Yang urged Washington to clear up questions related to the incident such as the 10-day gap between Wu’s death and when the ROC government was informed, and the reason for the fishing boat coming under fire despite being clearly marked as Taiwanese.
In addition, the minister pushed for more information on why the U.S. buried Wu at sea after the operation and did not first consult with his family. “The U.S. government should also pay compensation to Wu’s family as soon as possible,” he said.
Yang said he appreciated U.S. good will following the tragedy, praising AIT officials for visiting Wu’s family in Kaohsiung and extending condolences.
“But the people of Taiwan are very concerned about this matter and need the incident report to be completed,” he said, adding that the MOFA will stay in close contact with the U.S. to ensure the rights of Wu’s family are protected.
Write to Elaine Hou at elainehou@mail.gio.gov.tw