MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-TAIWAN RELATIONS

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 001662

SIPDIS

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

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A




TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-TAIWAN RELATIONS



1. Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused their
coverage May 13-15 on the conclusion of President Chen Shui-bian's
nine-day overseas trip; Premier Su Tseng-chang's decision to suspend
the chairman of the Financial Supervisory Commission, who was
released on bail after questioning by prosecutors; alleged
involvement by President Chen's son-in-law in illegal stock
transactions; and other local issues. The pro-status quo "China
Times" ran a banner headline on page two May 13 that read "In
Response to Zoellick's Remarks about '[Taiwan] Hitting a Wall,'
Bian: Status Quo of Cross-Strait Peace Is Two Countries on Both
Sides." The newspaper also ran an exclusive news story on page four
May 13 with the headline: "For Taiwan's Future Leaders, United
States Has High Hopes for Ma and Su; But Doubts About the Two
Persons' Lines." The pro-unification "United Daily News" ran a
banner headline on page four May 13 that said "Bian Returns to
Taiwan: Transits of United States Will No Longer Be Focus of [His]
Overseas Trips." The pro-independence "Liberty Times," Taiwan's
biggest daily, on the other hand, ran a banner-headline news story
on page three May 13 that read "Bian: One-Time Uproar Will Not
Jeopardize Taiwan-U.S. Relations." The pro-independence "Taiwan
Daily" also front-paged May 13 the results of an opinion survey by
the DPP last Friday, which showed 66 percent of respondents said
they support President Chen Shui-bian's foreign trip this time.


2. In terms of editorials and commentaries, a "Liberty Times" news
analysis urged the government not to listen to whatever the U.S.
said unconditionally in order to safeguard Taiwan's interests. A
"United Daily News" editorial said Washington has ruthlessly torn
down Chen's two-pronged strategy by clearly indicating its
opposition to Taiwan independence. A "China Times" opinion piece
said Washington will closely monitor Taiwan's every move in the next
two years. An editorial in the limited-circulation,
pro-independence, English-language "Taiwan News" urged Taipei and
Washington to build mature relations. An editorial in the
limited-circulation, pro-independence, English-language "Taipei
Times" praised Chen's trip and his stopover in Libya as a great
success. End summary.

A) "To Safeguard Taiwan's Interests, Must Not Listen to Whatever the
United States Says"

Journalist Tsou Jiing-wen commented in a news analysis in the
pro-independence "Liberty Times" [circulation: 600,000] (5/15):

"The topic of President Chen's transits of the United States this
time offered a wonderful opportunity to review how both countries
should normalize their interaction from now on. It may be necessary
[for Taiwan] to mend and restore its relations with the United
States, but strategically, it is by no means in Taiwan's best
interests to listen to whatever the United States says
unconditionally.

"Many people mistakenly believe that Taiwan needs the United States
more. But in reality, the United States constantly needs Taiwan's
'cooperation' under the table, and many examples show that Taiwan
had to sacrifice itself just to please the United States. From now
on, the government should make a comprehensive review of such
examples and return to the 'normal track' of maintaining [Taiwan's]
national interests. The United States is after all Taiwan's biggest
supporter in terms of the island's security. Taiwan must treat it
with courtesy and act like a gentleman. But in private, the
government must quickly work out a list based on Taiwan's public
opinion and carefully review whether it is necessary for Taiwan to
have been excessively 'obedient to the United States' over the past
few years. ..."

B) "United States Is Opposed to Taiwan Independence! Is Taiwan
Independence Opposed to the United States?"

The pro-unification "United Daily News" [circulation: 400,000]
editorialized (5/13):

"... Chen Shui-bian has been acting as if he were a 'flag bearer for
Taiwan independence' inside Taiwan, but he dares not admit to the
international community that he is a 'Taiwan independence activist.'
This time, however, the United States ruthlessly tore down Chen's
two-pronged strategy, and Washington's related discourse has never
been so clear: First, the United States is anti-Taiwan independence
because 'independence means war.' Second, Chen is a Taiwan
independence activist and he has no credibility at all. The fact
that Chen wants to challenge the 'one China' policy that was fixed
on by the United States long ago is 'running into a wall.' Third,
the United States supports 'Taiwan', but 'on the other hand, this
will not encourage those who attempt to lead Taiwan toward
independence (i.e., Chen).' Based on these three points,
Washington's position is consistent and logical: It opposes Taiwan
independence and Taiwan independence activist Chen Shui-bian. ..."
C) "Why Did the United States Make Harsh Criticism [Against
Taiwan]?"

Professor Edward Chen of Tamkang University's Graduate Institute of
American Studies opined in the pro-status quo "China Times"
[circulation: 400,000] (5/13):

"U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick and AIT Taipei
Director Stephen Young each made some remarks recently regarding
[Washington's] cross-Strait policy, which revealed something new and
profound. ... As the key person in charge of the United States'
China policy, Zoellick pointed out that the United States does not
support Taiwan independence or dance to the tune of Taiwan's
politicians because independence means war and that American
soldiers would sacrifice their lives. On the same day, when
addressing the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei, Young
carelessly said 'Zoellick is opposed to Taiwan independence.'
Whether Young simply misspoke or was speaking from the bottom of his
heart remains to be seen. ...

"... Zoellick's testimony indicated that the United States will
closely monitor Taiwan's every move in the next two years. On the
same day, Young echoed Zoellick by stressing that Taiwan should be
very careful in handling its constitutional changes and should not
touch on the Taiwan independence topic, or it will arouse
Washington's concern. ... While Zoellick emphasized that Washington
will restrain Taiwan independence on the frontline, Young directly
talked about Washington's role in pushing for direct transportation
across the Taiwan Strait. Young said in his speech that the United
States is happy to see that cross-Strait trade issues such as direct
transportation are discussed in a democratic way and formulated into
policy. These are, without a doubt, the clearest remarks that U.S.
officials have ever made with regard to direct transportation
[across the Taiwan Strait]. ...

D) "Building Mature U.S.-Taiwan Ties"

The pro-independence, English-language "Taiwan News" [circulation:
20,000] editorialized (5/15):

"... Zoellick's alarmist rhetoric shows that he is seemingly unable
to appreciate that Taiwan is already an independent and democratic
county and that the efforts of the Chen administration aim to
safeguard, not 'move toward' or 'declare' independence and to
preserve the peaceful status quo in the Taiwan Strait. Instead,
Zoellick ignores the fact that only one side of the Taiwan Strait is
rapidly building up offensive military forces and threatening a war,
and that side is not Taiwan. It is critical for President Chen's
Democratic Progressive Party administration to continue to work to
build and consolidate trust with Washington, but the Bush
administration should also display fairer treatment and
understanding toward President Chen and his government and the
difficulties they face in defending Taiwan's international space
than shown by Washington's handling of the transit issue and by
Zoellick's unfounded remarks. ...

"Washington should not demand that Taiwan leaders wait until PRC
military forces occupy the presidential palace before announcing
that the precondition to the 'five noes' has been violated. It is
also necessary for a mature Taiwan democracy to have the capacity
and courage to formulate and defend its own foreign policy
perspectives and interests based on our own democratic values and
engage in mature dialogue with Washington on this foundation.

"For its part, the Bush administration must keep in mind the
importance of striking a balance between its engagement with the
authoritarian PRC and the necessity of continuing to support
Taiwanese democracy. Instead of simply pressuring President Chen
and the DPP administration to avoid ' rocking the boat,' the Bush
administration must introduce concrete measures to constrain
Beijing's continued expansion of its missile deployments and other
offensive forces targeting Taiwan and rein in its diplomatic saber
rattling against Taipei's international space. Washington may
overlook the danger of China's military buildup and its threats
against Taiwan and choose to portray Chen's expressions of concern
over these trends as nothing more than electoral rhetoric, but the
23 million Taiwan people simply cannot stand by and wait until such
threats become a 'clear and present danger.'"

E) "Naysayers Ignore Chen's Success"

The pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times" [circulation:
30,000] wrote in an editorial (5/14):

"... Chen's decision to go ahead with the stopover in Libya, and the
possibility of building closer ties with that country, was obviously
based on pragmatic, strategic and self-interest considerations
alone. So far, Taiwan's 'good image' has not helped the nation win
formal diplomatic recognition from foreign nations and respect
within the international community. There are, of course, inherent
risks associated with allowing Taiwan's image to become degraded.
This needs to be balanced against Libya's strategic importance as a
springboard into North Africa and the abundant oil resources of the
country. ...

"As for concerns about upsetting the US, that has proven to be a
non-issue. US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said on
Thursday that the relationship between his country and Libya has
changed over the past few years, after Libya gave up its program to
develop weapons of mass destruction. So, it is up to Taiwan and
Libya whether they want to develop their bilateral relationship.
The US has no qualms about the matter. The joke is that the
pan-blue lawmakers are usually the first ones to jump up and accuse
the Chen government of 'kissing up' to the US. Their anti-US
sentiment has kept the arms procurement bill tied up in the
Legislative Yuan for two years now. Since when have they been
concerned about how the US feels about anything?"

YOUNG