THE GAMBIA: TAIWANESE AMBASSADOR'S LIBERIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANJUL 000450 SIPDIS SIPDIS DAKAR PLS PASS DAO, ODC, AND RAO E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV GA LI CH SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: TAIWANESE AMBASSADOR'S LIBERIAN CONTACTS REF: MONROVIA 707 Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOSEPH STAFFORD, REASON 1.4 (B AND D) TAIWANESE AMBASSADOR'S LIBERIAN CONNECTION -------------- ¶1. (C) We note reftel report of possible GOL contacts with Taiwan amidst the PRC's growing engagement in Liberia. We also note reporting in other channels of recent contacts between Liberian House Speaker Snowe and The Gambia-based Taiwanese Ambassador, Patrick Chang,who served as Ambassador to Liberia prior to the NTGL's restoration of ties with the PRC. LIBERIAN DIPLOMAT'S RECALL -------------- ¶2. (C) In July 14 conversation with Ambassador, the Liberian CDA here, Kadija Thomas-Camara, raised the Snowe-Chang contacts, saying they had centered on Chang's proposal for the establishment of a Taiwanese "trade mission" in Monrovia. The Liberian CDA complained that she was being unfairly recalled, as part of the GOL's investigation into these contacts. The Liberian diplomat claimed that she herself was a loyal supporter of President Johnson-Sirleaf and her "one China " policy and had not been involved in the exchange of messages between Snowe and Chang. CDA Thomas-Camara asserted that, unbeknownst to her, the Liberian mission's other officer, Second Secretary Josephine Salle, had served as the conduit for the Snowe-Chang exchanges. COMMENT -------------- ¶3. (C) Chang, an African specialist, is well known to us, and we view him as an exceptionally energetic diplomat who is committed to countering PRC influence in West Africa -- all the more so following Senegal's 2005 establishment of ties with the PRC. We would not rule out further efforts by Chang to advance the Taiwanese presence in the sub-region, whether in Liberia or elsewhere. END COMMENT. STAFFORD