MEDIA REACTION: CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS; U.S.-JAPAN SECURITY

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 001008 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD - LLOYD NEIGHBORS DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS; U.S.-JAPAN SECURITY CONSULTATIVE MEETING ¶1. Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused news coverage May 3 on the joint statement issued at the conclusion of the May 1, 2007 U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee meeting with a special focus on its non-mention of the Taiwan issue, in contrast to the statement issued after the the 2005 U.S.-Japan meeting. The other focus today was the KMT's nomination of former KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou as the party's candidate in the 2008 presidential election. ¶2. In terms of editorials and commentaries, the pro-independence, mass-circulation "Liberty Times" editorialized that a total of 36 KMT legislators should not visit China to curry favor with China's President Hu Jintao when the Legislative Yuan is still in session. The editorial went on to say that this is a waste of taxpayers' money. The pro-independence, English-language "Taiwan News" urged in its editorial that the four DPP presidential contenders touch on a 'Taiwan-centric' economic and social development path in their upcoming debate in order to respond to KMT-CPC forum. An article in the pro-status quo, mass-circulation "China Times" said that the joint statement of the U.S.-Japan Security Consultative meeting did not include the Taiwan issue because both parties want to restrain Taiwan independence. Commentator Chiang Chun-nan opined in the mass-circulation "Apple Daily" that the United States and Japan decided not to include the Taiwan issue in their joint strategic goals in exchange for China's non-objection to the sale of U.S. F-22s to Japan. End summary. ¶3. Cross-Strait Relations A) "How Can [Pan-Blue Legislators] Use Tax Payers' Money to Do Things that Betray Taxpayers?" The pro-independence, mass-circulation daily, "Liberty Times" [circulation: 500,000] said in its editorial (05/03): "... Our compatriots should lash out at the 36 KMT legislators who went to Beijing [to join the KMT-CPC forum.] First, although [KMT Honorary Chairman] Lien Chan is odious, after all he does not hold any government position; but these legislators are congress members elected by the people. Currently, it is the busiest time to review bills, and how can legislators in the Blue camp ignore their jobs but beg for [Chinese President] Hu Jintao's affection? ... What is worthy of attention is whether these legislators will claim reimbursement of their travel expenses to China from public funds. These legislators should make clear explanations on the matter. We will never tolerate these toady legislators using compatriots' taxes for betrayal. ..." B) "DPP Must Respond to KMT-CCP Scheme" The pro-independence, English-language "Taiwan News" [circulation: 20,000] editorialized (05/03): "... Although the forum is ostensibly intended to take concrete and pragmatic actions to improve cross-strait relations, the decision by the Beijing authorities to deliberately ignore repeated offers by the DPP government to set up official or authorized channels for bilateral consultation or negotiation and announce "liberalizations" in these forums with Taiwan's former rulers has actually impeded efforts to build a mutually acceptable framework for normalized bilateral ties. "But achieving genuinely 'mutually beneficial' or 'win-win' progress is actually not the true agenda of either the CCP or the KMT. In the mentality of the PRC regime's ruling party, the arbitrary announcement of more liberalization moves are doses of 'good will,' but as far as the governing DPP is concerned, such actions comprise only an intensification of domestic political pressure. "In the mentality of the KMT, the more pressure on the DPP and the more political checks issued by the KMT that the DPP government is unable to cash, the more disappointed voters will flock to the KMT and the greater the chances will be for the KMT to win back Taiwan. "However, contrary to the expectations of Lien, the KMT and the CCP, public opinion has turned against the KMT's transparent efforts to sell out Taiwan's interests, and the DPP government has actually turned more resolutely toward promoting the 'normalization' of an independent Taiwan. "... In the face of the pressure of these false promises of 'liberalization,' propaganda campaigns by KMT politicians and 'free market' economists that any attempts at 'active regulation' to protect Taiwan's industry and society are useless, we can only wonder whether Taiwan has any overall economic strategy to counter the common pressure exerted by the KMT and CCP to spur the 'westward march' of Taiwan human resources to China in the wake of the past CONSULTATIVE MEETING migration of our manufacturing and services. "The question of formulating a 'Taiwan-centric' economic and social development path is the most important issue that the four candidates for the DPP's presidential nomination should address this evening in the third and last debate in Kaohsiung City." ¶4. U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Meeting A) "U.S.-Japan Security Consultative: From Preventing Unification [with China] to Restraining Independence [of Taiwan] in Case Taiwan Becomes Volatile" An article in the pro-status quo, mass-circulation "China Times" [circulation: 400,000] said (05/03): "... As far as U.S. officials are concerned, the U.S. strategic interests on the Taiwan issue lie first in the status quo and second in 'a peaceful solution.' Based on these, China's move to push for unification [with Taiwan] will inevitably cause the U.S. decision to prevent it; it is also unavoidable that the 'unpredictability' of Taiwan's cross-Strait policy will force the United States to use countermeasures to 'restrain independence [of Taiwan].' ..." B) "No Contingency in Peripheral Areas of Taiwan" Commentator Chiang Chun-nan opined in the mass-circulation "Apple Daily" [circulation: 500,000] (05/03): "The United States is considering selling F-22 fighter jets with a radius of 2,000 kilometers to Japan. The sale will have an obvious impact on the military balance in East Asia. In order to reduce China's increasing worries, both the United States and Japan intend to keep the Taiwan issue out of their joint strategic goals and use this chance to pressure Taiwan. This is to some extent a subtle means of military diplomacy. "As regards military security, every country has been doing the worst planning and the best preparation; political leaders are always cautious when giving remarks on the matter. However, Taiwan leaders always confuse military affairs with politics. For example, it was said on an official occasion that Taiwan's missiles can reach the Three Gorges Dam [in China]. The fact that the Taiwan issue is included in the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty has been fussed over by talkative politicians. This has already caused dissatisfaction from the United States and Japan, and they have urged Taiwan to be cautious in word and deed. "... It is not surprising to exclude the Taiwan issue from the U.S. Security Treaty and to make the island a sacrificial offering of the U.S.-Japan transaction [of F-22s]. How to restore the U.S. trust and support of Taiwan is a major issue in the post-A Bian era." YOUNG