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