Taipei Times
Date: Jun 30, 2018
By: Sherry Hsiao / Staff writer
The US Department of State has requested that US Marines be sent to Taiwan to
The American Institute in Taiwan’s new compound is pictured in Taipei’s Neihu District on June 12. Photo: Chang Chia-ming, Taipei Times
guard the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), according to a CNN report published online yesterday, citing two US officials.
“One US official said that while the request for a Marine security guard was received several weeks ago, it has not yet been formally approved and coordination about its deployment is ongoing between the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service and the Marines,” CNN reported.
“If the request is granted, it will be the first time in nearly 40 years that US Marines will be guarding a diplomatic post in Taiwan,” CNN said, adding that a department spokesperson would not say whether the request has been made.
Marines are posted at US overseas missions around the world to protect the diplomatic facilities and personnel stationed there. A “marine house” is usually built to accommodate them. [FULL STORY]
