MEDIA REACTION: TAIWAN'S POLITICAL SITUATION, U.S.-JAPAN

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 002290 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TQEAP/PA, EAP/PD - ERIC BARBORIAK DQRTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: TAIWAN'S POLITICAL SITUATION, U.S.-JAPAN ALLIANCE ¶1. Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused their coverage July 4-5 on the Academia Sinica Biennial Convocation, which kicked off Monday; investigation into the alleged role of First Lady Wu Shu-chen in the Sogo Department Store gift certificates scandal; and the rumored rift between President Chen and former President Lee Teng-hui. All papers reported on inside pages July 4 the remarks by AIT Taipei Director Stephen Young at the reception celebrating Independence Day on Monday; Young said he remains optimistic about Taiwan's future. The pro-unification "United Daily News" ran an exclusive news story on page four July 5 with the headline: "Ma [Ying-jeou] and Wang [Jin-pyng] Agree to Deal with Arms Procurement Bill in September." ¶2. In terms of editorials and commentaries, an editorial in the pro-independence "Liberty Times," Taiwan's biggest daily, criticized KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou, former KMT Chairman Lien Chan, and People First Party Chairman James Soong, saying they lack even the minimum of Taiwan-centered consciousness and thus cannot be regarded as nativists. An opinion piece in the mass-circulation "Apple Daily" discussed the predicament facing Taiwan's democracy, saying Taiwan needs an effective decision-making mechanism. An "Apple Daily" column discussed the new U.S.-Japan alliance, but said the two sides do not have equal relations and thus cannot be regarded as each other's equal. End summary. ¶3. Taiwan's Political Situation A) "Can People 'Whose Position Is Basically Consistent with That of Beijing's' Be Regarded as Nativists?" The pro-independence "Liberty Times" [circulation: 600,000] editorialized (7/4): "... The so-called nativists must at least insist on the Taiwan-centered entity and Taiwan's sovereignty, and they should try their best to push Taiwan into becoming a normal nation. Based on these criteria, the rectification of Taiwan's name, writing a new constitution, and reforms are the things that those who identify with nativism should do. But people like Lien Chan, James Soong, and Ma Ying-jeou have never regarded Taiwan as a country; they just used different keys to sing the one-China song. Lien and Soong's joining hands with Communist China to restrain Taiwan, and Ma's call for ultimate unification all demonstrated that they are in need of the minimum of Taiwan-centered consciousness. It would be shameless if they dare to claim that they represent nativism. ..." B) "Taiwan's Democracy Predicament" Chiu Hei-yuan, research fellow at Academia Sinica's Institute of Sociology, opined in the mass-circulation "Apple Daily" [circulation: 500,000] (7/4): "... The recent presidential recall attempt called to the Taiwan people's attention the serious flaws in the president's competence and the decision-making mechanism. What's even more worrisome and surprising is that not only is there something wrong with Chen Shui-bian, but there are also more serious problems with Ma Ying-jeou. Even though no one can tell who will win the 2008 presidential election, Ma has the biggest chance to win, despite the severe blow dealt to him by the failed presidential recall attempt. But the fact that Ma has made a series of mistakes while seeking to recall the president showed that there are serious flaws in his own capabilities and the decision-making mechanism. Not only was Ma's position toward the recall motion flip-flopping, but he was also evidently hijacked by the deep-Blue supporters and James Soong. Moreover, he was incapable of sticking to his own position and convincing the elites in his own party. ..." ¶4. U.S.-Japan Alliance "The Curtain Falls on the Koizumi Theater" Columnist Antonio Chiang noted in his column in the mass-circulation "Apple Daily" [circulation: 500,000] (7/5): "... The "U.S.-Japan Alliance of the New Century" signed between U.S. President George W. Bush and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has upgraded U.S.-Japan relations to a level that is almost that of U.S.-United Kingdom relations. But Japan needs U.S. protection, while the United States only needs Japan's help. On the U.S. chessboard, Japan is merely a strategic chess piece, not an equal chess player. The two sides do not have equal relations and thus cannot be treated as each other's equal. "Right now, in order to restrain the rapid rise of China, strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance seemed to be Japan's only option. Koizumi has contributed greatly to this alliance. But such a relationship is based on the personal friendship between Koizumi and Bush, and the foundation is very fragile. Koizumi will soon step down, and his successor might have a different attitude. The Bush administration, on the other hand, is still stuck in the quagmire of anti-terrorism, and can hardly protect itself. ..." YOUNG