News Coverage of Secret U.S. Envoy's Visit to

UNCLAS TAIPEI 004068 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/RSP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD - ROBERT PALLADINO DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW SUBJECT: News Coverage of Secret U.S. Envoy's Visit to Taiwan- full text translation ¶1. An article on the front page of the pro- independence "Liberty Times" said (12/27): Headline: "U.S. Secret Envoy Met with President Chen Shui-bian: [There Is] No Change in U.S.-Taiwan Relations. A Very High-Ranking U.S. Envoy Secretly Visited Taipei Before Christmas and Thought Positive of President Chen Shui-bian's Performance, and Stressed That `Currently' There is no Misunderstanding Between the United States and Taiwan" ¶2. Begin Text: "While the debate goes on over whether current U.S.-Taiwan relations have changed dramatically, a [Taiwan] high-ranking official revealed that the Bush Administration sent an `important envoy' who has the authority to represent the U.S. government to Taipei. The representative met with President Chen Shui-bian and expressed the attitude that U.S.-Taiwan relations are stable and unchanged. The move indicated that U.S.-Taiwan relations have not changed as rumors say. "The official indicated that in the high-level secret meeting, the United States was positive on President Chen Shui-bian's policy statements since his May 20 inauguration speech. Regarding the legislation of the `anti-secession law' started by the Chinese government, the United States and Taiwan also conducted a related discussion, inclusive of information sharing. "The U.S. representative, who came from Washington and was described as `very high-ranking,' arrived in Taiwan a few days before the Christmas. The schedule of the U.S. representative was completely confidential and he left Taiwan after carrying out his mission. The government, as usual, does not make any explanation nor describe any detail regarding the envoy's personal background. However, the official said `the more cautious and more confidential, the tighter and more stable the U.S.-Taiwan relations are,' and the United States' sending of the person with representative status simply explains everything. "High-ranking communication channels between the United States and Taiwan so far have been good. Even when United States officials openly commented on cross- Strait problems or on whether Taiwan is in fact sovereign and independent, the `second channel' between the United States and Taiwan is still good. U.S. special envoy James Moriarty, National Security Council Senior Director for Asian Affairs, traveled back and forth between Washington and Taipei in order to avoid transmission by a third party which would cause distortion in the language. "Sources said the United States felt that President Chen Shui-bian has done a good job since his May 20 re- election inauguration speech, the talk on the National Day, and the ten-point conclusions in the November 10 National Security Council meeting. "As some people in Taiwan worry about current U.S.- Taiwan relations, sources said the United States considered that `in the past' there were misunderstandings on some issues, such as the referendum. However, clarification is okay, and there is no misunderstanding` for the time being'. The United States in the future will be more concerned about issues like Taiwan's `revising the constitution' and will consistently pay attention to it in order to `feel safe'." PAAL