DIRECTOR'S INTRODUCTORY CALL ON PRESIDENTIAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L TAIPEI 001024

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/27/2016
TAGS: PGOV TW
SUBJECT: DIRECTOR'S INTRODUCTORY CALL ON PRESIDENTIAL
OFFICE SECRETARY GENERAL MARK CHEN, MARCH 24, 2006


Classified By: AIT Director Stephen M. Young. Reason(s): 1.4 (B/D)


1. (C) Summary. The people of Taiwan are committed to
maintaining Taiwan's hard won freedoms, Presidential Officer
Secretary General Mark Chen told the Director in their

SIPDIS
initial meeting on March 24. Mark Chen noted to the Director
that President Chen would be less likely to cause future
"surprises" if Taiwan feels secure that good relations with
the U.S. will ensure the continued success of a free and
democratic Taiwan. Mark Chen also said he believed that
local criticism of TECRO's chief representative in Washington
was due in part to transitions within the U.S. Government.
End Summary.


2. (C) The Director paid an introductory call on
Presidential Office Secretary General Mark Chen (Chen Tan
Sun) on March 24. Mark Chen told the Director that most
people in Taiwan view the United States as Taiwan's strongest
friend. The United States is the only country that can
protect Taiwan and its democratic institutions. He added
that the President Chen believes strongly that Taiwan must
maintain good relations with the U.S.


3. (C) The Director said to Mark Chen that, as he explained
to President Chen, he had perceived a decline over the past
several years in good will towards Taiwan within Washington
circles. As a result, some in Washington are less tolerant
than before over actions taken by Taiwan that could
complicate U.S.-PRC relations. The tone of some American
media reporting on issues such as the referendum and
President Chen's pledges has further made some in the U.S.
believe that Taiwan does not fully appreciate the importance
our relationship. The Director added that he looked forward
to working with Taiwan to ensure that the U.S.-Taiwan
relationship does not continue to drift.


4. (C) Secretary General Chen acknowledged the Director's
concerns. He told the Director that the vast majority of
people in Taiwan are committed to maintaining Taiwan's
freedoms and way of life. Mark Chen stressed that he and
others had worked very hard to push for democratization in
Taiwan, adding that Taiwan will do everything possible to
prevent its democratic society from change caused by external
forces. (Note: Chen served as Chairman of both the World
Federation of Taiwanese Associations and the Formosan
Association for Public Affairs when he lived in the U.S. End
note.) China's continuous efforts to isolate Taiwan and
reduce U.S. influence in the region have led many people in
Taiwan to feel insecure, said Chen. He added that President
Chen would be less likely to do anything "surprising" if
Taiwan feels assured that its good relations with the U.S.
will ensure the protection of Taiwan's hard-fought freedoms.

Don't Shoot the Messenger
--------------


5. (C) The Director noted to Secretary General Chen that
David Lee, TECRO's Chief Representative in Washington, has
been sharply criticized by some in the DPP, notably DPP
legislator Trong Chai (Tsai Tong-Jung). This criticism stems
from a perceived lack of effectiveness in policy advocacy.
The Director added that he was concerned that this criticism
could compromise TECRO's ability to accurately report back to
Taipei about Washington's perceptions of Taiwan. He
emphasized that many in Washington are concerned about what
is happening in Taiwan and therefore it is important for
Taiwan to have reporting from Washington that provides an
accurate view of our perceptions. Mark Chen acknowledged
that David Lee has been criticized by DPP legislators and
agreed with the Director that having an accurate readout on
what is happening in Washington is extremely important. He
noted that some of Lee's perceived ineffectiveness may have
resulted from transitions within the USG, notably the
departures of NSC Senior Asia Director Michael Green and EAP
DAS Randy Shriver.

YOUNG