MEDIA REACTION: DPP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FRANK HSIEH'S

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 001734 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: DPP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FRANK HSIEH'S U.S. TRIP Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused news coverage August 3 on the collapse of a bridge in Minnesota Thursday, on Taiwan's UN bid, on the DPP's "Normal Country Resolution" draft, and on the legislative elections slated for January. Several papers also carried U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey's remarks on President Chen Shui-bian's transit request and a U.S. visa waiver program at a Foreign Press Center briefing Wednesday. In terms of editorials and commentaries, an editorial in the pro-unification "United Daily News" criticized DPP presidential candidate Frank Hsieh for contradicting himself in terms of his discourse on Taiwan independence. End summary. "Frank Hsieh Had Better Be Careful and Not Transform Himself into a Taiwan Nazi" The pro-unification "United Daily News" [circulation: 400,000] editorialized (8/3): "As expected, the remarks Frank Hsieh made during his visit to the United States were greatly different from those he made after he returned to Taiwan. He was saying one thing in the States but something totally different in Taiwan. ... Following his trip to the United States, the structure of Hsieh's discourse has basically taken shape, but it is full of inconsistency. ... "Hsieh denied 'Taiwan independence' [in the United States], which made his discourse pretty hollow, and what's left is nothing but Nazi-like 'ethnic struggles.' Just take a look at how Hsieh has swung from one side to the other and has gone back on his word in terms of his elaboration on Taiwan independence over the past few weeks. ... Based on the DPP's 'Resolution on Taiwan's Future' [passed in 1999], Hsieh announced his 'Three Nos' in the United States -- namely, there is no need for a referendum on Taiwan independence, for the Taiwan independence movements, and for Taiwan to declare independence -- which is by nature anti-'de jure Taiwan independence.' To everyone's surprise, after he returned to Taiwan, he changed his story and said he will complete 'name change and the writing of a new constitution' within five years, adding that this is not 'de jure independence.' Hsieh opposed Taiwan independence while in the United States but advocated it after he returned to Taiwan. Can one not call such an incomplete discourse on Taiwan independence something that 'deceives Hsieh himself and others?' ... "Originally Hsieh was unique with his 'constitutional one China' doctrine and his call for 'reconciliation and co-existence.' But ever since [last year's] Taipei mayoral election, the DPP's presidential primary, followed by his U.S. trip, Hsieh's discourse on unification and independence has gone completely contradictory and confusing. Given the controversies over his scandals and his choice of a running mate, Hsieh's discourse has transformed and become focused on 'Taiwan-style Nazism,' which is incompatible with 'Hsieh's Three Nos' and contradictory to Hsieh's call for 'reconciliation and co-existence.' Hsieh should keep himself vigilant: How can he be regarded as a president who stands up as a model for all the Taiwan people if he is viewed as a 'crafty and deceptive' presidential candidate? ..." YOUNG