Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05TAIPEI54
2005-01-07 08:36:00
UNCLASSIFIED
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS TAIPEI 000054
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: U.S.-CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS
A) "Noble Taiwan Will Not Become Apathetic Because of
International Isolation"
The centrist, pro-status quo "China Times"
editorialized (1/7):
"Inevitably, Taiwan people feel aggrieved after Taiwan
donated money and sent people to relieve the tsunami
disaster in South Asia but was excluded from
participation in the tsunami relief world summit. The
reaction [of Taiwan people] is rational. Since the
international reality is so severe, Taiwan should not
give up so easily. Taiwan should, instead, proactively
devote the power of all [Taiwan] people continuously,
and carry out the relief job solidly in order to speak
loudly for Taiwan by making contributions that will
truly benefit those who suffered [in the disaster]."
B) "An `Anti-Annexation' Law Won't Ease PRC Tension"
The conservative, pro-unification English-language
"China Post" said in an editorial (1/7):
"The move by the Cabinet Wednesday to drop an article
from a draft of revisions to the Referendum Law that
would have granted the people the right to initiate
constitutional amendments marked a reversal of a major
legislative plan in the face of pressure coming from
the United States.
"But as it was trying to repair strained relations with
Washington, the administration made a new legislative
attempt that is bound to add to tension with Beijing.
The Cabinet included in the bill, which is subject to
approval by the Legislative Yuan, a new provision that
would allow the people to hold a referendum on
territorial changes.
"But the attempt to use an `anti-annexation' law to
counter an `anti-secession' law does not seem to be
helpful. Beijing would not withdraw its plan to create
the legislation just because of Taipei's decision to
respond in kind. Nor would Beijing be likely to change
its longstanding policy of using force because of a
concern that an invasion could anger the people of
Taiwan and stir them to hold a popular vote to say no
to its action.."
C) "Chen's Proposal is Very Pragmatic"
The pro-independence English-language "Taipei times"
said in an editorial (1/7):
"As for the new proposal to approve changes to national
boundaries through referendums, many believe this is a
move to counter China's anti-secession law.
"Presumably, in the event of Chinese military
aggression justified by law Taiwan may be able to
declare this a change of national boundaries or the
exclusion of the Chinese Mainland from the definition
of national boundaries. This would not impact the
status quo of the Republic of China's (ROC)
sovereignty, and technically it would still conform
with the US policy of `maintaining the status quo.' It
also shouldn't violate any basic principles of the pan-
blue camp."
PAAL
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: U.S.-CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS
A) "Noble Taiwan Will Not Become Apathetic Because of
International Isolation"
The centrist, pro-status quo "China Times"
editorialized (1/7):
"Inevitably, Taiwan people feel aggrieved after Taiwan
donated money and sent people to relieve the tsunami
disaster in South Asia but was excluded from
participation in the tsunami relief world summit. The
reaction [of Taiwan people] is rational. Since the
international reality is so severe, Taiwan should not
give up so easily. Taiwan should, instead, proactively
devote the power of all [Taiwan] people continuously,
and carry out the relief job solidly in order to speak
loudly for Taiwan by making contributions that will
truly benefit those who suffered [in the disaster]."
B) "An `Anti-Annexation' Law Won't Ease PRC Tension"
The conservative, pro-unification English-language
"China Post" said in an editorial (1/7):
"The move by the Cabinet Wednesday to drop an article
from a draft of revisions to the Referendum Law that
would have granted the people the right to initiate
constitutional amendments marked a reversal of a major
legislative plan in the face of pressure coming from
the United States.
"But as it was trying to repair strained relations with
Washington, the administration made a new legislative
attempt that is bound to add to tension with Beijing.
The Cabinet included in the bill, which is subject to
approval by the Legislative Yuan, a new provision that
would allow the people to hold a referendum on
territorial changes.
"But the attempt to use an `anti-annexation' law to
counter an `anti-secession' law does not seem to be
helpful. Beijing would not withdraw its plan to create
the legislation just because of Taipei's decision to
respond in kind. Nor would Beijing be likely to change
its longstanding policy of using force because of a
concern that an invasion could anger the people of
Taiwan and stir them to hold a popular vote to say no
to its action.."
C) "Chen's Proposal is Very Pragmatic"
The pro-independence English-language "Taipei times"
said in an editorial (1/7):
"As for the new proposal to approve changes to national
boundaries through referendums, many believe this is a
move to counter China's anti-secession law.
"Presumably, in the event of Chinese military
aggression justified by law Taiwan may be able to
declare this a change of national boundaries or the
exclusion of the Chinese Mainland from the definition
of national boundaries. This would not impact the
status quo of the Republic of China's (ROC)
sovereignty, and technically it would still conform
with the US policy of `maintaining the status quo.' It
also shouldn't violate any basic principles of the pan-
blue camp."
PAAL