Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06AITTAIPEI2512
2006-07-26 09:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION: U.S.- TAIWAN RELATIONS

Tags:  OPRC KMDR KPAO TW 
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VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHIN #2512/01 2070924
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 260924Z JUL 06
FM AIT TAIPEI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1267
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5463
RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 6670
UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 002512 

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


UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 002512

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 July 26 on the Cabinet-sponsored Sustainable Economic
Development Conference; follow-up moves to oust President Chen
Shui-bian; Typhoon Kaemi, which swept over Taiwan Tuesday; and
investigations into the Taipei City Government's alleged role in a
cable car construction corruption case and the details regarding the
Presidential Office's allowance for state affairs. The
pro-unification "United Daily News" ran a front-page banner headline
that read "Proposals Favorable for Cross-Strait Trade and Economics
Are Overturned in Sustainable Economic Development Conference." The
sub-headline added, "Sub-group Discussing Cross-Strait Trade Issues
Deletes Entire Paragraph on Direct Cross-Strait Transportation and
Lowering of Ceiling for Investments on Mainland, Indicating That
Executive Yuan Has Completely Yielded to Pro-Independence Faction
and Su Revisionist Line Suffers Setback."


2. In terms of editorials and commentaries, an opinion piece in the
pro-status quo "China Times" discussed the association between U.S.
neo-conservatism and Taiwan's nativism. The article said President
Chen made two moves to safeguard his political power: reiterating
the "Four Nos" to AIT Chairman Raymond Burghardt, and seeking
support from pro-independence heavyweights. Washington
correspondent Charles Snyder, writing in the limited-circulation,
pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times," criticized Deputy
U.S. Trade Representative Karan Bhatia's recent testimony before a
congressional committee regarding a Free Trade Agreement with the
United States. End Summary.

A) "Bian Makes Two Correct Chess Moves"

Wu Ting-feng, assistant professor at Kai Nan Management College,
opined in an opinion piece in the pro-status quo "China Times"
[circulation: 400,000] (7/26):

"... Israel insisted that its 'counterattacks' were not merely a
result of its feud [with Lebanon] but also a move to echo support of
the United States' global war on terrorism. In reality, however,
such an argument was like putting the cart before the horse. Since
President George W. Bush came into power, the U.S. national defense
and foreign relations have been solely controlled by

neo-conservatives, whose inspiration for international strategy
happened to derive from the Six-Day War in 1967. Israel's
'pre-emption' during that war was the protocol of the 'preventive
battles' evidenced in the U.S. anti-terrorist war in Iraq, launched
by the neo-conservatives. ...

"Taiwan cannot possibly be a regional expansionist, but for the U.S.
neo-conservatives, the island, like Israel, has its 'unique cultural
values.' Among Chinese countries in Asia, Taiwan is the only
pro-U.S. democracy. When they compare it with 'China's socialism,'
'Hong Kong's one country, two systems,' and 'Singaporean Asian
values,' the American neo-conservatives undoubtedly have special
feelings for Taiwan, especially since the island has undergone its
first political power transfer.

"In other words, Taiwan's 'democracy' for the United States is just
like 'nativism' for the deep-Green supporters; namely, they have won
greater support and tolerance from the public. Besides, for the
neo-conservatives, there is always a shadow haunting them in East
Asia, namely, the rise of the giant dragon, China. ... Based on
such an assumption, when it comes to the interpretation of China's
image and its possible threat, the American neo-conservatives
actually share a common language with Taiwan's Green stalwarts.

"Back to Taiwan: Even though Chen Shui-bian has been plagued by
many scandals, low approval ratings and the pro-Green scholars'
recent statement [calling for his resignation], he has, after all,
made two seemingly contradictory chess moves in an attempt to save
himself. First, when the U.S. expressed concern about the
presidential recall motion, Chen proactively reiterated the 'Four
Nos' pledge to AIT Chairman Raymond Burghardt. Such a move secured
Washington's interest in continuing to offer help to cultivate
Taiwan's 'democracy,' rather than changing to a different leader
under the premise that U.S. geopolitical interests would not be
harmed. Second, Bian called a meeting with pro-independence
heavyweights in an attempt to win the nativists' support for him.
Bian's two moves were more or less the keys that helped to resolve a
major part of his political crisis.

"During the early years of the Cold War era, the unpopular KMT
secured its political foothold because of U.S. containment policy
needs. During the post-Cold War era, Taiwan unexpectedly associated
with the U.S. neo-conservative authorities, who, as a result,
provided support for Bian, who no longer enjoys the people's
support. No matter whether the island is totalitarian or
'democratic,' Taiwan's leaders always have a guardian behind them.
This is the real sadness of being the Taiwan people, who cannot be
their own masters."
B) "The Truth about a US-Taiwan FTA"

Washington correspondent Charles Snyder wrote in an analysis in the
pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times" [circulation:
30,000] (7/26):

"... In essence, Bhatia, who was stating the US administration's
position on a Taiwan FTA, demanded that Taiwan enter into a
neo-colonial relationship with the US, with Washington as master,
before the possibility of an FTA could even be entertained. His
testimony evoked the specter of the Dutch East Asia Company, of the
Taipans of colonial Hong Kong, and the Opium War, when the appetites
of greedy business interests were held supreme irrespective of the
well-being of the people of East Asia. ...

"It has been clear for some time why Taiwan will never get a FTA.
First, China absolutely opposes it, and the George W. Bush
administration would not do such a thing to alienate Beijing.
Second the US law that enables such agreements, known as
'fast-track' trade negotiating authority, expires next summer, and
an FTA would take too long to negotiate. And third, there is no
interest among US businesses for a Taiwan FTA. Former Deputy USTR
Charles Freeman was most honest about the third factor, which likely
holds the key to the issue. He publicly stated that the USTR does
only what US businesses want it to. If there is no groundswell
among US firms for an FTA, then USTR will not promote it, he openly
admitted.

"That is honest. To try to justify a do-nothing approach with a
Taipanesque demand for preferential treatment is not, especially in
the 21st century. Unfortunately, there is little evidence that an
FTA would yield great rewards for either US or Taiwan businesses or
their economies. Which is the fourth reason that Taiwan will never
or at least in our lifetimes get a US FTA. Let's be open about it.
There's no need to be imperialistically condescending."

YOUNG