MEDIA REACTION: CROSS-STRAIT CHARTER FLIGHTS

UNCLAS TAIPEI 000165 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: MEDIA REACTION: CROSS-STRAIT CHARTER FLIGHTS "[Taiwan] Government Should Hold a National Policy Debate on the Cross-Strait Charter Flights Plan and Make a Final Decision on the Issue by Conducting a Public Vote" The pro-independence "Liberty Times" editorialized (1/14): ". The charter flight plan is a policy tool being used by China to `pressure the officials through businessmen and to push for unification using economic means.' China eagerly wants to use the plan to highlight the fact that `cross-Strait air links are basically domestic routes' (since the matter is arranged by the private sectors rather than via talks between the two governments) and thereby declare to the world that `cross-Strait issues are domestic affairs.' Beijing wants to use this fact to convince other countries to accept its rationalization for use of force against Taiwan and consequently achieve its ultimate goal of annexing the island. Thus, questions regarding `charter flight' and `direct transportation' across the Taiwan Strait are by no means [related to] an issue that is so simple that `one can do it anytime one wants,' unless those who want to do it are those who want to be become citizens of the PRC. We therefore want to sincerely remind our government that there are many things that the government can do for its people, so it should not waste any more of its precious time on cross-Strait direct transportation or charter flights. . "[We] hope the government would act honestly and frankly and hold a national debate on the cross-Strait charter flight and direct translation issues, and then make a final decision by holding a pubic vote on the issues. Only by doing so can the government show its responsibility to all of the people of Taiwan." PAAL