TAIWAN OFFICIALS WORRIED OVER VATICAN TIES

C O N F I D E N T I A L AIT TAIPEI 000648 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 3/1/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC XR TW SUBJECT: TAIWAN OFFICIALS WORRIED OVER VATICAN TIES REF: TAIPEI 2750 Classified By: AIT Acting Director David J. Keegan, Reason 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) Taiwan Foreign Ministry and Presidential Office officials are increasingly concerned about the status of Taipei's relationship with the Vatican. In an unusual move, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) European Department Director-General Larry Wang requested a 27 February meeting with AIT to discuss Taiwan-Vatican ties and seek USG assistance. Wang told AIT that MOFA and the Presidential Office are closely monitoring Taipei's ties with the Vatican and believe that the Holy See is slowly, but steadily moving towards a dialogue with Beijing. Wang added that President Chen Shui-bian is directly engaged on the issue and fears the loss of the Vatican could trigger a domino effect with Taipei's other diplomatic partners. ¶2. (C) MOFA maintained that Taipei's Embassy in Vatican City is in constant contact with high-level Holy See officials and was told the Vatican is actively seeking to resume a formal dialogue with the PRC. Wang pointed out that the Holy See's 22 February appointment of Hong Kong Bishop Joseph Zen to Cardinal is evidence of the Vatican's desire to make the PRC a priority. While Wang admitted the PRC dislikes Bishop Zen, Taiwan officials believe the Vatican hopes Zen will assist the Holy See develop a strategy for establishing ties with Beijing. Wang asked AIT if Washington knew what the Vatican was planning and hoped the USG would assist Taiwan with its efforts to stabilize Taipei's relationship with the Holy See. ¶3. (C) The Vatican assured Taipei it will not be abandoned and will be kept fully informed as the Holy See moves closer to Beijing. Wang explained that the Vatican believes Beijing must meet certain conditions before a switch can occur (reftel). He noted, however, that high-level Taiwan officials -- including President Chen -- do not fully trust the Vatican because of the Holy See's decision to block Chen from attending the 2005 inauguration of the new Pope. Chen and his advisors are concerned the Vatican will recognize the PRC first and then try to work with Beijing to resolve their differences concerning the representation of the PRC's 10 million Catholics. ¶4. (C) Comment: It is unusual for MOFA mid-level officials to request a meeting with AIT over the status of Taipei's relationship with the Vatican. In the past, AIT always had to approach working level officials, who were surprised by AIT's interest in Vatican-Taiwan relations. This more proactive approach could be the influence of new Foreign Minister James Huang, who is close to President Chen and acutely aware of his foreign policy priorities/concerns. Furthermore, Huang is pushing MOFA to be more proactive diplomatically and promised to change the way MOFA conducts foreign policy. Even so, it demonstrates that Taiwan is worried about the course of Vatican diplomacy. KEEGAN