Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05TAIPEI1925
2005-04-26 09:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Cable title:  

LIEN DEPARTS AFTER FRIENDLY CALL WITH PRESIDENT

Tags:  PREL PGOV PINR CH TW 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TAIPEI 001925 

SIPDIS

STATE PASS AIT/W

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR CH TW
SUBJECT: LIEN DEPARTS AFTER FRIENDLY CALL WITH PRESIDENT
CHEN

REF: A. TAIPEI 1892

B. TAIPEI 1893

Classified By: AIT Director Douglas Paal, Reason: 1.4 (B/D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TAIPEI 001925

SIPDIS

STATE PASS AIT/W

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR CH TW
SUBJECT: LIEN DEPARTS AFTER FRIENDLY CALL WITH PRESIDENT
CHEN

REF: A. TAIPEI 1892

B. TAIPEI 1893

Classified By: AIT Director Douglas Paal, Reason: 1.4 (B/D)


1. (C) Summary: KMT Chairman Lien Chan departed Taipei for
the Mainland April 26, a day after he spoke by phone with
President Chen Shui-bian about his controversial trip. Lien
told the President that he would not do anything to infringe
on the government's authority and promised to convey any
substantive proposal from the PRC to the government after his
return. The two leaders agreed that, despite their
differences on internal politics, they are on the "same side"
when it comes to dealing with outside forces. Lien sounded a
similarly conciliatory line before boarding his plane for
Hong Kong and Nanjing, stating that his visit would not
undermine Taiwan's interests. Lien's departure was marred by
violent confrontations between extreme Green and Blue
supporters at the airport. The Presidential Office is
planning to explore a second call or meeting between Chen and
Lien after the KMT Chairman's return from the Mainland. End
Summary.

Lien Departs on "Journey of Peace"
--------------


2. (SBU) KMT Chairman Lien Chan's party departed Taipei on
April 26 for an eight day visit to Mainland China. Lien
plans to visit Nanjing, Shanghai, Xian, and Beijing. On
April 29, Lien is scheduled to meet with PRC President Hu
Jintao and deliver a speech at Beijing University (Ref A).
On the eve of his departure, Lien said he would seek to end
the "civil war" mind-set that dominated past relations
between Taiwan and Mainland China. Lien was seen off at the
airport by Taipei City Mayor Ma Ying-jeou and Legislative
Speaker Wang Jin-pyng, both candidates to replace Lien in the
upcoming KMT Chairman election. People First Party (PFP)
Chairman James Soong also unexpectedly showed up to wish Lien
a successful voyage.

Lien Phones Chen
--------------


3. (C) On the eve of his departure, Lien spoke by phone with
President Chen Shui-bian about his plans for the visit (Ref
B). Presidential Office Secretary Liu Shih-chung, who
provided AIT a readout of the call, said the 11-minute

discussion was cordial and warm. Liu said that Lien opened
the discussion with a five-minute explanation, all in
Taiwanese, of his planned visit to the Mainland. Lien
thanked "brother" Chen for his endorsement and pledged not to
do anything that would infringe on the government's
authority. Liu said the KMT Chairman also promised to report
to the government if the PRC raised any substantive offer for
future cross-Strait contacts. Lien concluded by telling the
President that "we're both on the same side and both on the
same line" when it comes to advancing the national interests.


4. (C) President Chen responded that "we're both from the
same country" and told "Chairman Lien" that "despite our
differences of opinion over domestic politics we both share a
common interest in defending the principles of democracy,
security, and peace." Chen reiterated his support for Lien's
visit, and said he had no doubt that Lien would abide by
Taiwan's laws and "uphold the sovereignty and dignity" of the
"Republic of China" and its 23 million people. The President
asked Lien to convey the Taiwan government's official
position that the "ROC" is a sovereign and independent
country and that the "ROC" does not belong to the "PRC," nor
vice versa. Chen said that his government is willing to
improve cross-Strait relations, with the objective of
creating a "Framework for Peace and Stability." Liu said
that Lien did not offer a direct reply to the President's
request, instead stating only that the KMT's policy is "very
flexible." Chen closed the call by noting that this was the
first conversation between the two men in four years. Chen
added that he hopes to speak with Lien soon after his return.


Departure Marred by Airport Confrontation
--------------


5. (C) Despite the positive atmosphere of the April 25 call,
Lien's departure the following morning was marred by a series
of violent confrontations between pro-independence and
pro-unification extremists. The Taiwan Solidarity Union
(TSU) and Chinese New Party mobilized several hundred
supporters to face off against each other in the airport's
departure lounge. Airport police were unable to effectively
separate the opposing supporters, many of whom came armed
with slings and sticks. At least a dozen people were
hospitalized following scuffles between the two groups and
police. Police were more successful in preventing a group of
taxi drivers from blocking Lien's motorcade from reaching the
airport VIP lounge. The Presidential Office's Liu said the
President was disappointed with the confrontation at the
airport, especially since he had personally instructed
Premier Frank Hsieh the evening before to ensure that there
was sufficient police presence at Lien's departure to prevent
a confrontation between Blue and Green activists.

Atmospherics: Positive on Top, Friction Below
--------------


6. (SBU) Despite warm words at senior levels of the
Presidential Office and KMT, lower ranking officials and
legislators from the two camps continued to trade shots over
Lien's visit. KMT Spokeswoman Cheng Li-wen denied that
Lien's April 25 phone call amounted to a "report" on his
visit. Chen administration officials have requested that
Lien provide a report to the President in order to gain
official sanction. Shortly after the phone call, Mainland
Affairs Council (MAC) Chairman Joseph Wu also convened a
press conference to reiterate the government's warning to
Lien against signing any agreements with the PRC during his
visit. Shortly after Lien's departure, Vice President
Annette Lu told reporters that Lien's visit could "bring
disaster" to Taiwan. On the same day, Legislative Yuan (LY)
Caucus leaders from the KMT and Democratic Progressive Party
(DPP) blamed each other for the violence that occurred at the
airport. On the LY floor, Premier Hsieh was assailed by KMT
legislators for providing insufficient security for Lien's
departure and by DPP members for providing any security at
all.

Comment: Rare Display of Leadership
--------------


7. (C) Both Chen and Lien have thus far decided to stick to
the high road, despite the mud-slinging that continues
between their respective political bases. Whether they can
build from the April 25 phone call towards a more normalized
relationship may depend on how Lien's visit plays in the
Taiwan media and political world. If Lien's visit is
perceived as a success, it will keep pressure on Chen to
maintain his recent moderate stance on Pan-Blue-PRC contacts.
While satisfied over Lien's promises to avoid sensitive
topics during his visit, the Presidential Office remains
concerned about what Lien may say in his April 29 speech at
Beijing University and during his meeting with PRC President
Hu. Acerbic public commentary by senior figures in both
camps is also a reminder that recent attempts at
reconciliation do not enjoy widespread support among the
rank-and-file on either side.
PAAL