MEDIA REACTION: CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS AND U.S.

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 000848

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: CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS AND U.S.



1. Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies continued to
center their reporting March 15 on the call for a new investigation
into the 319 shooting incident, a third U.S. BSE case, and other
local issues; coverage also focused on President Chen Shui-bian's
interviews with the international press ("The Washington Post" and
Germany-based "Frankfurt Allgemeine Zeitung"). The pro-independence
"Taiwan Daily" ran a banner headline on its front page that read:
"As Long As the Conditions Are Ripe, Taiwan Must Have a New
Constitution." The sub-headline added: "The President Gives
Interviews to European and American Media, Reiterating That the Push
for a New Constitution Is Aimed at Consolidating Democracy and That
Any Handling of Sovereignty-Related Issues Will Have to Meet
[Taiwan's] Constitutional Procedures." The pro-independence
"Liberty Times," Taiwan's biggest daily, ran a news story on its
page two with the headline: "Bian Confirms That the Wording for
'Cessation of the National Unification Council (NUC) and National
Unification Guidelines (NUG)' Was Originally 'Abolition.'" The
pro-status quo "China Times," ran a similar news story on its page
two with a different headline: "Bian Clarifies the Crucial Wording
for the First Time; Cessation of the NUC and NUG 'Is not Abolition
and Does Not Violate [Chen's] Pledges.'"


2. In terms of editorials and commentaries, an editorial in the
pro-unification "United Daily News" seeks a definition of "Taiwan
independence" by asking how would Taiwan benefit if the name of the
island were to be changed from "Republic of China." Journalist Lin
Shu-ling said in a news analysis in the "China Times" that Chen's
interviews with members of the international press were aimed at
clarifying his position with the United States in order to prevent
Washington and Beijing from signing a fourth communiqu. A "Taiwan
Daily" editorial asserted that Chen's call for a new constitution
for Taiwan is in line with universal values. End summary.

A) "What is Taiwan Independence All About?"

The pro-unification "United Daily News" [circulation: 400,000]
editorialized (3/15):

"... [As President Chen has asked publicly in the wake of NUC/NUG
decision] Has A-bian done anything wrong? He has to answer the
following questions first: First, the view of Taiwan independence
[activists] is that the termination of the Republic of China (ROC)
must be carried out, [but] is it true that Taiwan must change its
name and move toward 'de jure Taiwan independence' so that it can
become an independent sovereign state? That is, does 'Taiwan' have
to put an end to the ROC in order to declare 'independence'?
Second, the Taiwan independence [activists'] belief is that Taiwan
independence can best resist the People's Republic of China, [but]
will Taiwan's moving toward 'de jure independence' provide an
ultimate safeguard for cross-Strait peace or will it be an ultimate
showdown leading to war across the Taiwan Strait?

"What is Taiwan independence? Why do we need Taiwan independence?
Does Taiwan independence simply mean just wanting to change Taiwan's
official title to the 'Republic of Taiwan' (de jure Taiwan
independence)? Doesn't Taiwan independence also seek the mutual
prosperity of the 23 million [Taiwan] people? Or is it simply
wanting to 'rectify Taiwan's name and write a new constitution' at
the risk of tearing apart [Taiwan] society? When answering these
questions, Taiwan independence [activists] must ask themselves
first: What is there for Taiwan if the ROC no longer exists? ...
What is Taiwan independence? Is it just changing Taiwan's official
title? Why do we need Taiwan independence? Is it just testing
whether Beijing will really attack Taiwan or just trying to see if
the United States will really come and 'help to defend' [Taiwan]?
...

"If the Taiwan independence [activists] consider moves to 'rectify
Taiwan's name and write a new constitution' and 'de jure Taiwan
independence' as goals they must achieve, they are probably
narrowing the [definition] of Taiwan independence and leading the
Taiwan independence movement downhill; that is, these activists are
boxing Taiwan independence into a corner themselves. If the Taiwan
independence [movement] finally terminates the ROC via 'de jure
independence,' Taiwan independence itself can hardly be sustained.
If Taiwan independence fails to be sustained, Taiwan will hardly
survive. ... When Chen Shui-bian said he wants to continue sticking
to his dream of Taiwan independence, it means he will continue using
the nightmare of Taiwan independence to torture Taiwan, depriving
the island of the right to live a sober life. "

B) "Bian Steps on the Brake in Order to Avoid the United States and
China from Signing a Fourth Communique"

Journalist Lin Shu-ling said in a news analysis in the pro-status
quo "China Times" [circulation: 400,000] (3/15):

"President Chen launched a publicity campaign to [try to influence]
the international media immediately after the controversy over his
'cessation of the National Unification Council (NUC) and the
National Unification Guidelines (NUG) subsided for the time being.
Chen's publicity campaign was not merely aimed at seeking the
international community's support for Taiwan in the face of China's
potential attack against the island, but also focused on clarifying
with the United States that his administration will not continue
moving toward 'the road of Taiwan independence.' Also, Chen is
trying his best to prevent Washington and Beijing from signing a
fourth communiqu during the upcoming meeting between U.S. President
George W. Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao. ...

"When it comes to Washington's changing attitude [toward Chen's NUC
and NUG decision] ..., sources said Taiwan had explained to
Washington very clearly during their communications the island's
legal procedures for writing a new constitution and the possible
developments. Washington accepted [Taiwan's explanation] that 'Bian
can hardly take the next step,' so the alarm was muted. ... Bian's
publicity campaign is targeting mainstream American media this time,
and his move is actually aimed at clarifying [his attitude] with the
United States to avoid any possible development in the upcoming
Bush-Hu meeting that might put Taiwan in an unfavorable position.
..."

C) "President Chen's Call for a New Constitution Is in Line with
Universal Values: [Chinese Premier] Wen Jiabao's Appeal to Ethnic
Bonds Is Nothing But His Wishful Thinking!"

The pro-independence "Taiwan Daily" [circulation: 100,000]
editorialized (3/15):

"... The cessation of the National Unification Council and its
guidelines has released the Taiwan people from the sole and only
option of unification [with China]. Writing a new constitution will
tailor for Taiwan a timely, suitable, and useable new constitution
so that Taiwan can stride ahead toward a broad future. All these
moves have to be done according to democratic procedures step by
step, and during the process, the rights of the 23 million Taiwan
people must also be taken care of ... This development is not aimed
at provoking China and it is something a modern democracy must do.
Only by doing so can Taiwan move forward bravely and win the support
of the international community. ..."

KEEGAN