MEDIA REACTION: NORTH KOREA, CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 004135 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD - DAVID FIRESTEIN DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: NORTH KOREA, CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS ¶1. Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused their coverage December 15 on First Lady Wu Shu-chen, who will stand trial today for her involvement in the Presidential Office Allowance for State Affairs case; on the Green camp's request for a constitutional interpretation on the legality of prosecutors' questioning of President Chen Shui-bian over the state affairs allowance case; and on alleged vote-buying in Kaohsiung. In terms of editorials and commentaries, a column in the pro-status quo "China Times" discussed Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's statement made early this week SIPDIS on North Korea's nuclear program. The article said Rice's remarks indicated that Washington is ready to compromise diplomatically on the North Korean nuclear issue. An editorial in the limited-circulation, pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times," on the other hand, discussed the cross-Strait issue. The article said "what people in China, Washington, and elsewhere must understand about the nature of Taiwanese 'identity' is that, regardless of what people here call themselves, virtually everyone accepts that this society is different from China's." End summary. ¶2. North Korea "Rice's Latest Expression of Her Position Prior to the Six-Party Talks" The "International Outlook" column in the pro-status quo "China Times" [circulation: 400,000] noted (12/15): "... Two points are noteworthy: First, [Secretary] Rice is determined to resolve the [North Korean nuclear] issue in two years, so as to make it a legacy for President Bush and for herself. This would indicate that Washington will by no means use force to resolve the problem, but will be ready to compromise diplomatically, otherwise how can she be sure to achieve her goal? Second, Rice has acknowledged that the chances are slim that Pyongyang will get rid of all its nuclear facilities in two years. Since she claimed she will achieve her goal in two years, but then said she could not stop Pyongyang from getting rid of its nuclear facilities, the United States' bottom line for compromise will evidently be to allow North Korea to reserve some nuclear power. If this interpretation is correct, the United States obviously intends to acknowledge tacitly that North Korea is a country that possesses nuclear weapons, and to use this in exchange for Pyongyang's [promise] not to export nuclear weapons and related technology. ..." ¶3. Cross-Strait Relations "The Reality of the Taiwan Crisis" The pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times" [circulation: 30,000] editorialized (12/15): "... What people in China, Washington and elsewhere must understand about the nature of Taiwanese 'identity' is that, regardless of what people here call themselves, virtually everyone accepts that this society is different from China's. More than 111 years of cultural and physical separation, combined with 61 years of autonomous political development, have created two different societies, regardless of how many traits they share. ... Some well-intentioned people (as well as a few opportunists) here and abroad have said that what Taiwan needs is some kind of interim non-aggression pact with China. Others say unification is 'inevitable' given economic interdependence with China. "But the first assumes that either (a) Taiwanese are willing to sacrifice their political autonomy, or (b) China is willing to compromise. The second ignores the reality that economic interdependence is not an indicator of political dependence. Dealing with the 'Taiwan Issue' requires accepting reality. The reality is that there are two distinct societies on either side of the Strait. One is free and autonomous and doesn't want to be coerced out of its freedom or autonomy. All other formulations are just window dressing." YOUNG