MEDIA REACTION: KMT CHAIRMAN MA YING-JEOU'S U.S. TRIP

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 000997 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: KMT CHAIRMAN MA YING-JEOU'S U.S. TRIP ¶1. Summary: As Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies gave extensive coverage March 23 to the suicide of a suspect allegedly involved in a recent train derailment; the freeway electronic toll collection system scandal; and other local issues. KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou's U.S. trip also received a great deal of coverage, with several papers devoting their second pages to reports on Ma's meetings with high-ranking American officials in Washington and his remarks at U.S. think tanks. The pro-status quo "China Times" ran a banner headline on its page two that said: "The United States Uses Super-High-Profile [Treatment] to Receive Ma Ying-jeou with Courtesy. [Ma] Meets with 'Three Big Heads' Within Two Short Days [of Being] in Washington." The pro-independence "Liberty Times," Taiwan's biggest daily, however, ran a banner headline on its page two that read: "Ma Urges China to Differentiate Between the Republic of Taiwan and the Republic of China, [i.e.] Its Primary and Secondary Enemy." The front-page news story of the pro-independence "Taiwan Daily," in the meantime, quoted President Chen Shui-bian's electronic newsletter with the headline that "Eighty Percent of the Taiwan People Hope to Join the United Nations." ¶2. In terms of editorials and commentaries, a "Liberty Times" news analysis pointed out that Ma has gotten carried away by the high-profile treatment he is receiving from the United States, and as a result, his remarks about primary and secondary enemies reveals again his pro-China stance. A "China Times" news analysis, however, said Washington's courteous treatment toward the KMT chairman is a vote of confidence in him. Professor Chen I-hsin of Tamkang University's Graduate Institute of American Studies opined in the "China Times" that Ma's call for maintaining the status quo meets the expectations and interests of Washington, Beijing and Taipei. A news analysis in the pro-unification "United Daily News" said Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick's meeting with Ma will help SIPDIS Washington estimate the possible direction of cross-Strait developments. End summary. A) "Being Carried away by His Successful [U.S. Visit], Ma Reveals His Unification [Intent]" Journalist Wang Yu-chong said in a news analysis in the pro-independence "Liberty Times" [circulation: 600,000] (3/24): "... According to Ma's remarks [in Washington], China's primary enemy is the Republic of Taiwan while its secondary enemy is the Republic of China (ROC). Ma's comment clearly indicates that China can join hands with the KMT that defends the ROC in order to strike a blow against its secondary enemy - the Taiwan independence activists who promote the Republic of Taiwan. ... "Ma's U.S. visit has not concluded yet, but while his clarification of his pro-China and anti-U.S. stance is stilling ringing in the air, the KMT is ready to visit China again to hold an economic forum with the Chinese Communist Party. The KMT's move, which is clearly an effort to extend and deepen the pro-China route adopted following [former KMT Chairman] Lien Chan's meeting with [Chinese President] Hu Jintao last year, will perhaps arouse more doubts. Ma received high-profile treatment during his visit in the United States, and he has obviously gotten carried away by his success. His remarks about the primary and secondary enemies has again revealed his pro-China stance and lets people see more clearly his ultimate goal." B) "[Washington] Casts a Vote of Confidence [in Ma]; the United States' Release of Its Messages Is of Great Significance" Journalist Hsiao Tsu-tseng said in a news analysis in the pro-status quo "China Times" [circulation: 400,000] (3/24): "... [U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert] Zoellick's nearly public meeting with the chairman of the KMT was the most courteous reception ever accorded to a Taiwan opposition party. In addition to doing honor to both the KMT and Ma, the United States also meant to [use this courtesy to] send direct messages [to Taiwan], and this move carries 'dual significance' for Taiwan's two major political parties - the KMT and the DPP. "The [U.S.] message to the KMT was that the United States recognizes the KMT's elaboration of its position - that is, the KMT pledges that it will play the role of a stabilizing force inside Taiwan and that it will play the role of an alleviator of cross-Strait tensions. More importantly, the KMT will assist the United States in stabilizing the East Asian region. Evidently, Washington was very pleased with the KMT's pledges and was willing to cast a vote of confidence in Ma during its formal 'first contact' with him. "When it comes to the [U.S.] message to the DPP, one must not overlook the fact that this was [Washington's] final, clear, and most heavy-handed response to President Chen Shui-bian in the wake of his decision to 'cease the functions of the National Unification Council (NUC) and the National Unification Guidelines (NUG).' The United States has no intention to make the DPP feel that it is 'befriending Ma in order to restrain Chen.' But when the 'cessation of the NUC and NUG' has endangered the cross-Strait situation and jeopardized U.S. interests, Washington, even though (to quote [former AIT Chairperson] Therese Shaheen) once considered Chen's 'guardian angel,' has to clearly indicate its position, even when it is 'so clear' that it hurts Bian's eyes. "For China or its neighboring East Asian countries like Japan, the United States is also using the high-profile treatment granted to Ma to signal its highest strategic principle: that is, [Washington pursues] regional stability and [strives to] reduce trouble. Judging from this perspective, it is clear that Washington cares more about Beijing than about Taiwan's pan-Blue or pan-Green camps; Washington wants Beijing to know clearly that the 'cessation of the NUC and NUG' was definitely not a two-man show put on by the U.S. and Taiwan governments. ..." C) "Has Ma Ying-jeou Passed His Interview?" Professor Chen I-hsin of Tamkang University's Graduate Institute of American Studies opined in the pro-status quo "China Times" [circulation: 400,000] (3/24): "... In fact, Ma did not address his policy plans to the United States only; his audience also included the Chinese leaders and people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Since the call to maintain the status quo is in line with Washington's and Beijing's expectations and Taiwan's mainstream public opinion, it can be easily accepted by the United States, China, Taiwan and the international community. The pan-Green camp of course cannot possibly accept Ma's ideas, but as long as Washington and Beijing as well as a majority of people in Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matzu accept it, and both sides of the Taiwan Strait can resume dialogue, it will naturally meet the expectations and interests of the United States, China and Taiwan. ..." D) "The United States Has Its Plans [Behind] Its High-Profile Treatment Given to Ma" Journalists Sun Yang-ming and Fan Ling-chia said in the pro-unification "United Daily News" [circulation: 400,000] (3/24): "... There are possibly two reasons behind the United States' final decision to greatly upgrade its treatment to Ma Ying-jeou and exclude TECRO Chief David Lee from joining Ma's meeting [with high-ranking U.S. officials]: First, the impact of [President Chen's decision] to 'cease the functions of the NUC and NUG' remained valid. Washington, as a result, intended to let Chen know its displeasure toward his remarks made since the New Year's Day by lifting up Ma's prestige. Second, given the fact that U.S. President George W. Bush will meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao soon, it will help the United States to estimate the possible direction of the development of cross-Strait relations before 2008 if Robert Zoellick, who is in charge of Chinese affairs in the State Department, could obtain a face-to-face understanding of Ma's views toward cross-Strait relations. ..." YOUNG