Richard Shih’s exile call for Saddam has been broadcast to the Middle East by an influential TV station in Qatar, sparking fears that Taiwan would become a target of terrorist revenge.

Grilled by lawmakers on the foreign affairs committee, who demanded the ministry “shut up” on the looming war, both Chien and Shih scrambled for explanations for the remarks that obviously deviated from the official government line.

Taipei has only voiced backing for anti-terrorist actions, but has never shown open support for the U.S.-led war on Iraq.

“The Foreign Ministry has never demanded Saddam Hussein go into exile,” Chien told lawmakers.

But once the war breaks out, “because of the long-term friendship between the Republic of China and America, (Taipei) will support America’s attack on Iraq,” Chien was quoted by the Central News Agency as saying.

The minister, however, qualified his remarks by maintaining that Taiwan is a peace-loving country that will get involved in post-war humanitarian relief work, not in the war itself.

In response to reports that Taiwan is not among 30 countries that America says support the war, Chien said Washington has never asked Taipei to join the “backers alliance.”

But his explanations for the spokesman’s blunder failed to calm lawmakers, who would not let them both off the hook easily.

In a final resort, Chien openly declared that the spokesman was not speaking on the behalf of the ministry when he made the blunder during a press conference Tuesday.

Shih also described the conference as only an “informal chat” with the press, where he made a “slip of the tongue.”

“It was an informal talk with the press in my personal capacity,” said Shih.

But People First Party (PFP) Legislator Chou Hsi-wei expressed disbelief in the claims that the spokesman did not represent the ministry.

When asked if he would submit Shih to disciplinary actions, Chien would no reply.

The minister revealed that he was unaware of Shih’s blunder until he read the morning papers, and he immediately instructed Taipei’s representative offices in the Middle East to clarify the government’s stance.

He said the ministry would also send an explanation to the Qatar TV station that aired Shih’ remarks.

Premier Yu Shyi-kun demanded the ministry be more cautious in its statements, revealed Cabinet spokesman Lin Chia-neng.

“Premier Yu Shyi-kun reiterates the government’s backing for regional peace and the anti-terrorism campaign, and its non-participation in the war,” said Lin.

The mayors of Taipei and Kaohsiung, Ma Ying-jeou and Frank Hsieh, speaking at a Cabinet meeting, voiced safety concerns over Shih’s mistake.

Ma, of the opposition Kuomintang, called for caution, warning the government against “excessive” moves in supporting America.

Hsieh, of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, said the government only has to make its stance clear, avoiding unnecessary talks that could invite misinterpretation.

Anti-war activists said recent remarks by government officials about the looming war on Iraq were indicative of Taipei’s eagerness to please Washington. They said Taiwan lacks a global view of its own.

Independent Legislator Sisy Chen pointed out that a presidential spokesman, Wu Chao-hsieh, also published an article in a newspaper Tuesday that criticized the anti-war campaign.

So far, none of the government and political party leaders have signed an anti-war declaration put forth by the local activists.

“The talks by these government officials have demonstrated President Chen Shui-bian’s lack of a global perspective, and his wrong choice of diplomatic officials,” said PFP whip Chiu Yi.