MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS

UNCLAS TAIPEI 004069

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD - ERIC
BARBORIAK
DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS


1. Summary: Major Chinese-language Taipei dailies gave
extensive coverage October 4 to local issues such as
the pan-Blue and pan-Green camps' integrative efforts
within their separate alliances with regard to
nominations for the year-end "three-in-one" elections;
the follow-up probe into the alleged shady recruitment
practices regarding the Kaohsiung mass rapid transit
system; and Taipei City's victory in a NT$10.8 billion
health insurance premium claims case. The pro-
independence "Liberty Times," Taiwan's biggest daily,
ran an exclusive news story on its page two topped with
the headline: "Taiwan and United Arab Emirates Will
Become Strategic Cooperative Partners."

In terms of the U.S. arms procurement bill, several
newspapers reported in their inside pages remarks by
Legislative Yuan President Wang Jing-pyng that it might
be an appropriate time for lawmakers to deal with the
U.S. arms procurement bill after the year-end "three-in-
one" elections are concluded. In response to reports
that KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou has decided to allow
legislators to review the U.S arms procurement bill,
these news stories quoted Ma as saying the KMT Caucus
in the Legislative Yuan, not him alone, will make that
decision. The centrist "China Times," however,
reported on its page four that the KMT will only agree
to purchase one item listed in the entire U.S. arms
procurements package - the P-3C anti-submarine aircraft
- under the condition that the budget earmarked for the
P-3Cs needs to be included in Taiwan's annual budget.


2. Several newspapers editorialized on President Chen
Shui-bian's overseas trip, in which he visited eight
foreign countries within thirteen days. An editorial
in the limited-circulation, conservative, pro-
unification, English-language "China Post" approached
the issue of Taiwan's self-defense from a new angle:
it commented on U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral
William Fallon's recent remarks in which he advised
Taiwan to strengthen its defenses with, among other
things, `land mines.' According to the editorial, the
controversial U.S. arms deal with Taiwan, which has
been rejected 30 times by Taiwan's Legislative Yuan,
should be called off and that "to plant mines on the
island's beaches to repel potential mainland invaders
is a bad idea." End summary.

"No Mines for Taiwan, Please"

The conservative, pro-unification, English-language
"China Post" [circulation: 30,000] (10/4):

". Admiral Fallon, who has led the Pacific Command
since March, started to build military ties with
Beijing during a maiden visit there early September.
And the admiral has advised Taiwan to strengthen its
defenses with, among others, `land mines,' according to
a report of Singapore's Strait Times last week.

"Taiwan's military authorities have been told to buy
more `strictly defensive weapons,' instead of hi-tech
weapons that could be employed in offensive operations.
Those include `missiles for aerial interceptors, ground-
based anti-aircraft missiles, transport helicopters,
and mines to defend the beaches against amphibious
assault, and transport helicopters.'

"Fallon has also recommended to the Pentagon that the
arms package featuring offensive weapons that the U.S.
offered to sell Taiwan in 2001 but has been rejected 30
times by the island's legislature `be allowed to fade
away.'

"Given Taiwan's reluctance, the controversial arms deal
should be called off. But to plant mines on the
island's beaches to repel potential mainland invaders
is a bad idea. Beijing has deployed at least 700
missiles targeting Taiwan, why would it resort to a
costly amphibious invasion? .

"For whatever purpose, Taiwan refuses to be like
Vietnam, Afghanistan or the no-man's land in Korea.
When war is over, the mines remain, a legacy with no
point but brutally and sadness."

PAAL