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Rail Transportation Projects Unit
HAC/MT
Mr DN Royce
British Overseas Trade Board
DEP Division
Department of Trade & Industry
1 Victoria Street
LONDON SW1H OET
Dear
Danil
19 December 1973
CONFIDENTIAL
I am indebted to you for your interest in the Taiwan Project of ours.
am naturally disappointed that we from this country have no weapons at our command to counteract the fierce USA political pressures.
I explained to you that the project is for the high voltage industrial frequency electrification of the main line, virtually running from the northern tip to the southern end of Taiwan. The enquiry has been separated into 3 Groups :
GROUP A
GROUP B
J
motive power
locomotives and electric multiple units power supply and distribution overhead contact line system telecommunication network
signalling for approximately of the length of the line. (The other rds have been signalled by an American and a Swedish firm in recent years).
provision of automatic train warning, and train stop equipment, for the entire length of the line.
GROUP C track strengthening, incorporating relaying the
track with a heavier rail section to permit higher train speeds with heavier trains.
The Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) has recommended the British for Groups A and C, and the Swedish company (L.M. Ericsson) for Group B.
We were made to understand that a letter inviting us for detailed commercial discussions was due to be received approximately 10 days ago, which has now been delayed however due to severe USA
pressures.
It is our understanding that TRA would still wish to see the British Group succeed but we cannot gauge the power of USA political influence. Enclosed please find copy of cuttings out of two English language Taiwan newspapers which give a short summary of the situation, and confirm my points above.
Continued
ved subs o ar, of the G..