DIRECTOR'S INTRODUCTORY MEETING WITH FORMER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TAIPEI 001983 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2021 TAGS: PGOV PREL TW SUBJECT: DIRECTOR'S INTRODUCTORY MEETING WITH FORMER PRESIDENT LEE TENG-HUI, JUNE 2, 2006 Classified By: AIT Director Stephen M. Young, Reasons: 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Former President Lee Teng-hui criticized President Chen and DPP corruption but predicted Chen would not step down during an introductory meeting June second with the Director. Lee also criticized KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou for supporting the ultimate goal of reunification, and he suggested that the only hope for Taiwan to overcome political confrontation is for dissatisfied members of the two major parties to come together to form a new "third force." Lee faulted Chen and the DPP government for early mishandling of the arms procurement package. Though still recuperating from TB, Lee appeared sharp, energetic, and healthy for a man of ¶83. End Summary. ¶2. (C) During an introductory meeting with the Director on June 2, former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui expressed concern about corruption in the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP),but doubted President Chen would step down. He predicted that the current media focus on scandals will continue into the fall, when the public will eventually tire of the story. Lee estimated that only about 30 percent of the news stories about ruling party corruption were accurate. Lee suggested that Chen's recent devolution of some powers to the Executive Yuan and the DPP was "very strange," adding that passing responsibilities to Premier Su Tseng-chang was not necessarily a good thing as Su was controlled behind the scenes by the DPP's New Tide faction, which has close connections to business. ¶3. (C) Lee said he could not rest easy at the thought of Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou becoming president, since Ma supports the ultimate goal of reunification. Lee also criticized DPP leaders and potential presidential candidates. He suggested that the only hope for Taiwan is for the dissatisfied in the DPP and the KMT to come together to form a new "third force." Otherwise, the current political confrontation will continue, he predicted. ¶4. (C) Lee asked the Director about the current state of Taiwan-U.S. relations. The Director stressed the underlying strengths of U.S.-Taiwan relations, adding that although the cross-Strait status quo is not perfect, it has protected the freedom of the people of Taiwan, allowing them to continue to develop and prosper in peace. The "one China" policy has helped to maintain peace and stability and avoid dangerous situations. ¶5. (C) The Director underscored U.S. concerns about the failure of Taiwan's political parties to work together in the legislature to agree on steps to enhance Taiwan's self defense capability. Lee agreed, emphasizing that Taiwan should be prepared to take care of itself and that an adequate defense is key to Taiwan's continued survival. Lee said he was disappointed with Chen and the DPP government, who waited until late 2003, just before the 2004 presidential election, to propose the special budget, and then lumped the purchases together into one very expensive package, rather than spreading the cost over a number of years. During his tenure, Lee noted, Taiwan used installment payments to spread out the high cost of F-16 aircraft. Noting that when president he had invited the opposition to explain situations and forge cross-party consensus, Lee faulted President Chen for not following his practice. ¶6. (C) Lee praised late President Chiang Ching-kuo's role in beginning to move Taiwan toward democracy. Chiang Ching-kuo realized the need for change and began the Taiwanization of the KMT. Lee emphasized how unusual it was for a dictator such as Chiang Ching-kuo to willingly give up his powers, adding that economic progress alone does not necessarily lead to democratization. Taiwan's democratization has taken place against the backdrop of special challenges, namely the influence of Mainland China, which wants to "swallow" Taiwan. Taiwan's democratization took place peacefully, allowing the opponents of democracy to remain active participants in politics, hoping for a comeback. Another special feature in Taiwan is the corruption of the democratic force (i.e., the DPP),a situation Harvard scholar Samuel Huntington did not foresee in his analysis of challenges facing new democracies. ¶7. (C) Asked about his planned sightseeing trip to Japan TAIPEI 00001983 002 OF 002 later this year, Lee said he was at the mercy of his doctors, who would decide when he was fit to travel. Lee noted that his recent bout with TB may have been a recurrence of a lung problem that he had in 1949-1950 when in the process of applying for graduate studies in the U.S. Although lamenting that his recurrent strain of TB may be drug-resistant and that he was still recuperating, Lee appeared sharp, energetic, and healthy for a man of his age, and invited the Director to join him for a round of golf. Comment -------------- ¶8. (C) The self-assured, almost cocky Lee Teng-hui the Director had known during his last tour here still comes through today. Asked about his legacy, Lee stressed the island's democratization, though he could just as easily have highlighted the growth of a Taiwanese identity and the emergence of pro-independence sentiments within the ruling party. Though seen by many here as an eccentric, Lee still gets significant press coverage for his political views, and as our meeting made clear, he has plenty of those. YOUNG