MEDIA REACTION: TAIWAN'S UN REFERENDUM

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 001988 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD - NIDA EMMONS DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: TAIWAN'S UN REFERENDUM ¶1. Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese- and English-language dailies August 29 gave significant reporting and editorial coverage to U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte's exclusive interview with the Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV on Taiwan's UN referendum Monday. Both the centrist, KMT-leaning "China Times" and the pro-unification "United Daily News," as well as the three English-language dailies -- "Taipei Times," "China Post," and "Taiwan News" -- all front-paged Negroponte's remarks that the push for the UN referendum is akin to a step toward Taiwan independence and is thus "a mistake." All the papers also ran the response by Taiwan Foreign Minister James Huang, who voiced "deep regret" over Negroponte's remarks. The pro-unification "United Daily News" ran an exclusive banner headline on page three that said "'Opposing Taiwan's UN Referendum,' [China's Taiwan Affairs Office Director] Chen Yun-lin Is Scheduled to Visit the United States in September." ¶2. In terms of editorials and commentaries, the "Free Talk" column in the pro-independence "Liberty Times" criticized U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte's remarks and said he has let SIPDIS down American ancestors who sacrificed their lives in the U.S. war of independence. A separate "Liberty Times" analysis interpreted Negroponte's remarks as Washington joining hands with Beijing to intimidate Taiwan. An editorial in the mass-circulation "Apple Daily" said Negroponte's interview reflected Washington's upset and desperation against President Chen Shui-bian. An editorial in the centrist, KMT-leaning "China Times" chimed in by saying that Negroponte's remarks signified that the United States has picked a tune with regard to Taiwan's UN referendum. A "United Daily News" editorial lashed out at President Chen for his push for the UN referendum and called Negroponte's remarks an "ultimatum" for Taiwan. A separate "United Daily News" analysis tossed off the question as to whether there is a "next step" for Washington to deal with Taiwan's UN referendum. An editorial in the conservative, pro-unification, English-language "China Post," on the other hand, suggested that Taiwan focus on joining smaller world organizations such as the International Monetary Fund. End summary. A) "Have the American Superiors Forgot Their Origin?" ; The "Free Talk" column in the pro-independence "Liberty Times" [circulation: 720,000] wrote (8/29): "... Mounting voices are heard in the international community opposing Taiwan's bid to join the UN, and it is not surprising at all, since this is just a reflection of the reality of international politics. What one can hardly imagine is that the United States has unexpectedly joined the opposition camp, and it has played the role of vanguard, with an attitude more proactive than that of China's. "The United States has downgraded its courtesy treatment for A-Bian's transit for this particular reason in an attempt to humiliate him deliberately. But it seems that Washington still finds it unsatisfactory, so it had Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte spout rhetoric on TV, openly opposing Taiwan's plan to hold a referendum on its UN bid under the name 'Taiwan' and calling the move a step towards a declaration of Taiwan independence. Even though Taiwan, as a small country, cannot afford to offend, nor dare talk back to, the official remarks of this superior U.S. official, he should engage in introspection and ask himself: How in the world is he able to face the ancestors who sacrificed their lives in the U.S. war of independence? ..." B) "U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Should Listen to Taiwan's Voices Cried out by 'Chthonic' Band" Washington correspondent Nadia Tsao noted in the pro-independence "Liberty Times" [circulation: 720,000] (8/29): "Immediately following Chinese President Hu Jintao's recent public announcement that the only task of the People's Liberation Army is to fight Taiwan, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte warned on Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV that Taiwan's UN referendum is [a step towards] an alteration of the status quo and towards a declaration of independence. For the Taiwan people, Washington seems to be joining hands with Beijing to intimidate Taiwan. "Negroponte emphasized that he was talking about this issue in the context of the solid friendship between the United States and Taiwan. But even so, following mounting public opinion supporting Taiwan's UN bid, one cannot help but feel concerned about Washington's approach -- namely, whether the United States is trying to replace Beijing as an unwelcome voice in the campaign leading up to Taiwan's elections [next year], or even to [give] certain Taiwan political figures in Taiwan [an opportunity] to operate in reverse by playing the anti-U.S. card. ..." C) "A-Bian Toying with the Americans" The mass-circulation "Apple Daily" [circulation: 530,000] editorialized (8/29): "The more the United States opposes the UN referendum, the more vigorous A-Bian gets. The United States offered the lowest-ever courtesy treatment to A-Bian, nearly similar to humiliation, but A-Bian endured it gladly. For A-Bian during his previous trips to Central America, the allies were his secondary targets, while transiting major U.S. cities was his real goal. Now A-Bian has given up on the United States, just as the United States has given up on A-Bian. Bilateral relations have entered a new stage. "The deputy secretary of state of the United States said A-Bian's push for the UN referendum is 'a step towards a declaration of independence for Taiwan, towards an alteration of the status quo." What a great statement! For a long period of time, Taiwan, the United States and China have each reserved the final say on how to define so-called 'Taiwan independence.' Washington could deny China's definition, and for the United States, only its own definition counts. As long as Washington does not believe Taiwan is moving toward independence, the United States can disregard it, no matter how others complain about it. On the surface, this is strategic ambiguity, but in reality, it is hegemony. Hegemonic power only cares about and regards its own argument as reasonable; all it wants is just to hold on firmly to the authority to control the situation across the Taiwan Strait. "The U.S. deputy secretary of state's remarks on Taiwan moving toward independence reflected the United States' upset and desperation against A-Bian on the one hand, and also the United States' lack of wisdom. The United States can list plenty of reasons to oppose [Taiwan's] UN referendum, but it does not necessarily have to cite the grand [reason of] 'Taiwan independence.' Using this reason exactly fits China's wishes. China can now quote the United States as saying that A-Bian is pushing for Taiwan independence and attempting to alter the status quo and, as a result, it can take action, and there is no reason for the United States to intervene. ..." D) "'Taiwan's UN Bid' Is for Domestic Consumption After All" The centrist, KMT-leaning "China Times" [circulation: 400,000] editorialized (8/29): "... Now the issue of 'Taiwan's UN bid' seems to have fallen into a dead end on the international stage. It goes without saying that Taiwan is unable to enter the UN; nonetheless, the president visited other countries every year giving out a lot of money, but he could not even get a few sentences [supporting Taiwan's UN bid] included in the communique Taiwan signed with its allies during the summit. In addition, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte pointed out openly yesterday that Taiwan's 'UN referendum' is the first step towards Taiwan independence. [His statement] signified that the United States has already picked a tune on this subject. In other words, when all Taiwan's allies withdraw their support one by one at a time when the United States openly stated its opposition, will [Taiwan] be able to continue pushing its 'UN bid?' Following the repetitive manipulations on 'Taiwan's UN bid' over the past few years, not only have we not seen more possibilities being exploited, but we have also seen [Taiwan's] leeway getting smaller and smaller. Even [Taiwan's] initial diplomatic capital is being eroded rapidly. In the end, it seems that the only thing Taiwan can do is to manipulate [the issue] at home for campaigning's sake!" E) "Ultimatum: Does Taiwan Still Want the United States as Its Friend?" The pro-unification "United Daily News" [circulation: 400,000] editorialized (8/29): "Prior to Chen Shui-bian's scheduled return to Taiwan from his trip [to Central America], U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte gave a sincere talk, in which every sentence he said was aimed at admonishing Chen to stop the 'UN referendum' before it is too late, not to take the risk of altering the cross-Strait status quo, and not to toy with the U.S. friendship. In reality, this sounds exactly like an ultimatum. "Negroponte put up a higher posture and defined the 'UN referendum' as 'a step towards a declaration of independence of Taiwan, towards an alteration of the status quo." Once this 'definition' was made, it was akin to setting a 'criterion of victory or defeat' for the confrontation between the United States and Chen. If Washington allows Chen to push for the 'UN referendum,' it will be like showing weakness to Chen, sitting idly by and watching him as he pushes for Taiwan independence and alters the status quo. In contrast, if the United States does not allow Chen to push for Taiwan independence and alter the status quo, it has to stop the 'UN referendum.' Negroponte's remarks were like a showdown with Chen, to see whether it is Chen or the United States that is able to carry on. "The fact that Negroponte accepted the interview with Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV, during which the only topic he spoke about was [Taiwan's] 'UN referendum,' was, without a doubt, meant to speak to the ears of the Chinese authorities. China is opposed to 'de jure Taiwan independence' and 'changes in the status quo.' Now that Negroponte regards the 'UN referendum' as 'a step towards a declaration of independence for Taiwan, towards an alteration of the status quo,' it is akin to showing that the United States has identified with the red line drawn by China, and that it will hold onto this 'red line' together with China in terms of the 'UN referendum.' This paper has long since warned that Chen's 'anti-China' manipulation has transformed into 'anti-U.S.,' and now the warning has been proved. ... "The angle that is most noteworthy during the interview was that Negroponte emphasized the friendship between Taiwan and the United States at the beginning and end of the interview. He started by saying that 'Taiwan has no better friend than the United States,' and that the United States strongly supports Taiwan's democracy and economy, and it is committed to the defense of Taiwan through the Taiwan Relations Act. But then he changed his tone by pointing out from various angles that the 'UN referendum' does not meet Taiwan's interests; [Negroponte] sounded as if the Taiwan authorities are the betrayer of its own interests, whereas the United States is the protector of Taiwan's interests. In this vein, under Negroponte's structure, the 'UN referendum' that the Taiwan authorities are pushing is actually 'harmful to Taiwan,' while the United States' attempt to stop the 'UN referendum' is [out of] its 'love for Taiwan.' Judging from this, it is evident that the United States wants to have a dialogue with the Taiwan people via this interview, in hopes that the Taiwan people will believe that Washington can see Taiwan's interests more clearly than Chen. "... The entire interview began with [the sentence that] 'Taiwan has no better friend than the United States' and ended with '(maintaining Taiwan-U.S. friendship) has to be done in a serious and responsible way.' The entire question and answer section was threaded with two axes -- one is [Washington's] opposition to the 'UN referendum' and the other emphasizes 'Taiwan-U.S. friendship.' Its overtones were: Does Taiwan still want the United States as its friend? ... "Negroponte's 'ultimatum' has pointed out: The United States will use the matter of whether it can stop the 'UN referendum' to test the United States' role in the chess game across the Taiwan Strait. If the United States fails to suppress the UN referendum, [it means that] it cannot keep Chen under control, and it is therefore unable to keep the DPP and Taiwan independence under control. In that vein, it is unable to justify itself to China and is thus unable to maintain the cross-Strait policy that it 'opposes attempts by either side [of the Taiwan Strait] to change the status quo unilaterally.' The criterion to determine the confrontation between the United States and Chen is exactly that if Chen's 'UN referendum' wins, it means that Washington's cross-Strait policy of 'opposing attempts to change the status quo unilaterally' loses! "While transiting the United States, Chen receives the U.S. representative in his plane with a 'UN for Taiwan' sticker on his chest. The move was akin to declaring war against the U.S. authorities openly. Likewise, the U.S. authorities' move to have its deputy secretary of state offer the remarks on 'Taiwan's interests/U.S. friendship' prior to Chen's return to Taiwan can be viewed as a gesture to meet Chen head-on in battle. ..." F) "Other Than Making Strongly-worded Remarks, Will the United States Take the Next Step?" Washington correspondent Vincent Chang noted in the pro-unification "United Daily News" [circulation: 400,000] (8/29): "... The fact that the U.S. government chose to have John Negroponte step forward to make such remarks almost indicated that the 'Taiwan authorities' are irresponsible and are 'disturbing the situation across the Taiwan Strait.' On the one hand, Washington intended to upgrade the level [of the official] who made the remarks in order to warn 'the Taiwan authorities,' and on the other hand, it has upgraded the [level] of the United States' 'crisis warning' in handling Taiwan's UN referendum. "The U.S. position of 'not supporting' Taiwan independence but not stating in public its 'opposition,' either, was originally an approach made in consideration of the major framework of the triangular relationship among the United States, China and Taiwan. Now that the United States has directly defined the single matter of Taiwan's UN referendum as a move 'toward Taiwan independence that the United States opposes,' it means that Chen Shui-bian does not need to declare Taiwan independence; and if the UN referendum is held, Washington will deem it as a move equivalent to a declaration of Taiwan independence. As a result, the 'Four Nos' incantation that Washington has been using to box Chen in will then fall apart! "Negroponte's remarks were strong enough, but the outside world is most curious about and observing whether there will be a 'next step' for the United States. This is a question that Washington often asks Chen, but the one that should be asked this question is perhaps the United States itself, which knows nothing but making strongly-worded remarks." G) "Fun with Numbers in Quixotic U.N. Bid" The conservative, pro-unification, English-language "China Post" [circulation: 30,000] editorialized (8/29): "... Joining the U.N. without the blessing of China is a virtual impossibility. Next month a cluster of Taiwan's allies -- including Gambia, Swaziland, Tuvalu, Belize, Burkina Faso, Honduras, Kiribati, Malawi, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, and the Solomon Islands -- will try again to place Taiwan's U.N. bid on the assembly's agenda, though that's as far as it will get. China is a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council with the power of final veto. Taiwan's people host many hopes and aspirations for their country. Some, no doubt, would support a hypothetical Taiwanese moon landing. But pragmatism and realism is the way of logic and the way of progress. Instead of the dreamy moon landing, Taiwan could, if it desired, realistically build satellites or even a robot space explorer. And instead of the quixotic U.N. bid, Taiwan should more rightly focus on joining, and actively participating in, smaller world organizations like the IMF." WANG