MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 002785

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD - SCOTT WALKER
DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A


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



1. Summary: Former DPP Chairman Shih Ming-teh's efforts to oust
President Chen Shui-bian and investigations into the Presidential
Office's special state affairs expense account stayed in the Taiwan
media's spotlight today. News coverage also focused on a scandal
allegedly involving the director-general of the Civil Aeronautics
Administration, and on Taiwan's reaction to Japanese Prime Minister
Koizumi's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine Tuesday.


2. In terms of editorials and commentaries, an editorial in the
pro-independence "Liberty Times," Taiwan's biggest daily, compared
the tightened security checks at U.S. airports to the calls by some
Taiwan businesses to open the three links across the Taiwan Strait,
saying that Taiwan's pro-China politicians should be ashamed for
failing to safeguard Taiwan's national security. An opinion piece
in the limited-circulation, pro-independence, English-language
"Taipei Times" criticized former AIT Director Douglas Paal's recent
speech at the Brookings Institution, saying he has forgotten China's
real motives. End Summary.

A) "Look at Contention over Three Links in OurNation from Security
Checks at U.S. Airports"

The pro-independence "Liberty Times" [circulation: 600,000]
editorialized (8/16):

"... It is true that time is money, but money cannot buy a nation's
security or lives. How can one live as a free man when one's
country loses its sovereignty? American people and American
businesses are clearly aware of this logic. But look at Taiwan:
China arbitrarily passed the 'Taiwan Invasion Authorization Act'
(namely, the 'Anti-Secession Law') on March 14, 2005, but it's a
shame that pan-Blue people have been vying to visit China, and the
DPP government has also maintained a continuously relaxed policy
toward cross-Strait relations. Not only that, but the government
also hosted the second Economic Development Advisory Conference in
the hope of significantly easing the island's restrictions on
investment in, and 'financial aid' to China. The name of the
conference was changed to the 'Conference on Sustaining Taiwan's
Economic Development' afterwards. But one would feel ashamed if he
recalled the scenes in which Taiwan businessmen, for the sake of
their personal interests, urged the government to start quick,
direct cross-Strait transportation, and then looked at the American
people, who were willing to queue for one or two hours for security
checks [at airports] just for the needs of their national security.
We want to show our respect to the U.S. Government for its
responsible attitude towards safeguarding the nation, but we also
feel ashamed for some Taiwan businessmen and pro-China politicians.
In short, what Taiwan really needs now is a Taiwan-centered national
consciousness. But what has the government done in this aspect over
the past six years? Yet it is still not too late to take
precautions. We hope the DPP, which upholds nativism, will take
this opportunity to learn from the United States, reflect on itself
and correct its previous mistakes."

B) "Paal Has Forgotten China's Real Motives"

Winston Dang, a DPP legislator and director of the DPP's Department
of International Affairs, opined in the pro-independence,
English-language "Taipei Times" [circulation: 30,000] (8/16):

"In his speech at the Brookings Institution on July 13, titled 'Some
Reflections on My Time in Taiwan,' former American Institute in
Taiwan director Douglas Paal said that China's intent to restrain
Taiwan lay behind its rapid military buildup. ... Paal seems to
feel that the policies of the US and China regarding Taiwan,
although articulated differently, are essentially the same in terms
of maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait. ... With deep regret, I
must conclude that Paal's assessment of cross-strait circumstances
is far removed from reality. Taiwan is constantly under the threat
of invasion by China because of its pursuit of peace and democracy
and its attempts to establish itself in the international arena.
China has never renounced its ambition to attack Taiwan. This was
the reality for decades before Lee's Cornell visit. Beijing's goal
is to become a hegemonic power, supplanting the US in East Asia.
...

"I disagree with Paal's mentioning the democratic US and the
dictatorial China together against a background of military
expansion and understanding of peace and democracy. ... I also
disagree with Paal's understanding that Taiwan's long-time wish to
ink a free trade agreement (FTA) with the US as soon as possible
stems from political consideration alone. ... Taiwan's democratic
achievements and economic prosperity are built on universal values.
Don't let China's saber rattling wipe out all the hard work the
Taiwanese people have invested in their democracy and freedom."

YOUNG