TAIWAN MOFA AGREES TO CONSIDER RESETTLEMENT

S E C R E T TAIPEI 004092 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/05/2030 TAGS: MOPS PREL PTER KAWC PHUM PREF PINR TW SUBJECT: TAIWAN MOFA AGREES TO CONSIDER RESETTLEMENT ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN DETAINEES FROM GUANTANAMO REF: STATE 183800 Classified By: AIT Deputy Director David Keegan. Reasons 1.4(b,d) ¶1. (S) AIT Deputy Director met with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General for North American Affairs Victor Chin October 5 to request assistance in resettling the Chinese Uighurs who have been approved for release. Using the talking points provided reftel, DDIR summarized the situation; he noted that Taiwan has a small Islamic community, many who are originally from China's northwest or their descendents. This might provide a suitable environment for these individuals. ¶2. (S) Chin agreed that it would make sense for Taiwan to consider helping on this issue, particularly given the importance of the U.S.-Taiwan relationship. He noted that arranging to accept such individuals would require the concurrence of several different agencies, including the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC). He said he would explore that issue quietly with inter-agency representatives. Once he had done so, he would contact AIT again to discuss more specifics. Chin noted that Taiwan's current government environment is highly politicized and it would be important to avoid political attention to this issue. He asked whether it might be possible to accept only some subset of the individuals in question and to select which ones to accept. DDIR said that it was his understanding this would be possible and that AIT would be happy to coordinate responses to any questions Taiwan might have on details. ¶3. (S) Comment. Chin is both institutionally and personally inclined to find as many ways as possible to cooperate with the U.S. However, his observation on Taiwan's highly politicized environment is very much on point, and that may make moving forward on this issue more difficult. DDIR expects to be seeing Chin again in a few days and will follow up. PAAL