MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-JAPAN ALLIANCE, U.S.-TAIWAN RELATIONS,

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 002278 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.-JAPAN ALLIANCE, U.S.-TAIWAN RELATIONS, DPRK NUCLEAR PROGRAM ¶1. Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused their coverage July 1 -3 on the investigation into the alleged role of the First Family's personal physician in First Lady Wu Shu-chen's involvement in the Sogo Department Store gift certificates scandal; the rumored discord between President Chen and former President Lee Teng-hui; the Legislative Yuan's decision to slash pensions for former presidents and vice-presidents; and the abduction of two Taiwan Coast Guard officers by Chinese fishermen on Saturday. The pro-status quo "China Times" front-paged July 1 the results of a joint poll conducted by the newspaper and CTI-TV, which showed that 56 percent of those polled said when they think of the Democratic Progressive Party, they think of corruption. The poll also found that respondents said they believe that the DPP is more susceptible to corruption than the KMT. ¶2. In terms of editorials and commentaries, a "China Times" opinion piece discussed the U.S.-Japan alliance, saying that Japan is sure to play a bigger and undeniable role with regard to the cross-Strait issue. An editorial in the limited-circulation, pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times" protested the Bush Administration's opposition to a House of Representatives measure which would lift restrictions limiting contacts between American and Taiwan government officials. An editorial in the limited-circulation, conservative, pro-unification, English-language "China Post" urged the U.S., Japan, and South Korea to keep up pressure on Pyongyang with regard to the nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula. End summary. ¶3. U.S.-Japan Alliance "U.S., Japan [Maintain] Strategic Clarity, But Ma Remains Ambiguous?" Lai I-chung, director of the DPP's Chinese Affairs Department, opined in the pro-status quo "China Times" [circulation: 400,000] (7/3): "... As a result, when Taiwan ponders the cross-Strait issue, it must understand that the traditional 'U.S.-China-Taiwan triangular structure' can no longer reflect the current strategic status quo in the Taiwan Strait. Given its own diplomatic efforts and the 'U.S.-Japan alliance,' Japan is sure to play a bigger and undeniable role with regard to the cross-Strait issue. Also, Japan's strategic view and its expectations toward Taiwan and China will become one of the keys that shape the cross-Strait strategic status quo. "In addition, we need to understand that with the globalization of the 'U.S.-Japan alliance' and the request that the cross-Strait issue remain peaceful, the 'double ambiguity' - namely, the 'strategic ambiguity' regarding whether the United States will get involved in a cross-Strait [conflict], and the 'support ambiguity' of whether Japan will support the U.S. military - has been replaced by 'double clarity' - namely, the 'strategic clarity' that the U.S. may likely get involved and the 'support clarity' that Japan will surely come to the U.S.'s aid. But for Taiwan, the appearance of security protection may indicate 'preventive diplomacy,' meaning that the outside world will intervene more strongly in Taiwan's internal affairs. ..." ¶4. U.S.-Taiwan Relations "Please, Mr. Bush, Let Taiwan Speak" The pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times" [circulation: 30,000] editorialized (7/1): "Good news indeed that the US House of Representatives has adopted a measure as part of a funding bill that would prevent the Bush administration from spending money on enforcing restrictions against visits by Taiwanese officials. But the bill must be passed by the Senate and signed by President George W. Bush to take effect, and the chances of the measure relating to Taiwan surviving seem small, given the indecent haste with which the famously pro-China US State Department expressed its disapproval of developments. But the overwhelming support in the House for the bill is a genuine cause for celebration. The symbolism affirms the efforts of all those who are striving to turn Taiwan into a credible diplomatic partner for a country that is key to its future. ... "It is high time that pro-China forces in Washington were reminded in practical terms that Taiwan is not CUBA - and that the fundamental freedoms of Taiwanese should be reflected in the ability of their unofficial representatives in the US to speak to who they want, when they want. The ability of Washington to conduct its foreign affairs cannot be injured by the simple act of enhancing communication between friends and allies. If anything, it is the opposite: shackling Taiwanese envoys and their US counterparts is antagonistic toward everything good that the US stands for, and corrodes the American goal of seeding democracy around the world. ... "The thought of Washington gagging its own public servants and diplomats to avoid offending an autocratic government is surprising enough; even more surprising - indeed, unnerving - is the apparent belief in the US State Department that this policy has no malign effect on Taiwan's ability to defend itself. Muting the voices of the imperiled and cultivating an atmosphere of misunderstanding and aloofness is in the interests of no responsible party. With the Senate vote and Bush's response to follow, Taiwan will soon be reminded of who in the US takes it security more seriously." ¶5. DPRK Nuclear Program "U.S., Japan, South Korea Should Keep up Pressure on Pyongyang" The conservative, pro-unification, English-language "China Post" [circulation: 30,000] said in an editorial (7/2): "After the invasion and occupation of Iraq on the pretext of destroying weapons of mass destruction, many critics have accused U.S. President George W. Bush of employing a double standard when it comes to North Korea. While there are indeed some comparisons to be made between the two regimes, we believe that the United States is following a wise policy by forming a united front with Japan and other allies while remaining open to talks with Pyongyang. Even though there are many elements in common between the former Iraqi regime and North Korea, we believe that as long as the U.S. and Japan remain committed to their stance, patient negotiations will eventually produce results. ... "As long as the U.S., Japan and South Korea are willing to give North Korea a reasonable deal in exchange for a more amicable relationship, we are confident that Pyongyang will cave in, in order to survive. ... Besides standing tough against Pyongyang and demanding it abandon weapons of mass destruction, the United States, Japan and South Korea need to continue prodding North Korea into reforming its economy. ..." YOUNG