MEDIA REACTION: TAIWAN REFERENDUM ON UN MEMBERSHIP

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 002393 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 REFERENDUM ON UN MEMBERSHIP ¶1. Summary: News coverage of Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies October 25 focused on American Institute in Taiwan Director Stephen Young's remarks that the United States does not support Taiwan's bid for UN membership. Two other topics were the resignation of Jaw Shaw-kong, chairman and president of the Broadcasting Corporation of China, which was once owned by the KMT, accusing government agencies of persecution; and Taiwan government's lifting a ban on local funds investing in China's stock market. Commenting on Director Young's remarks, the pro-independence "Liberty Times" said in a column that the DPP will push through Taiwan's UN membership regardless of any taunts or jeers. End summary. ¶2. "Demons and Bedevilment" The Free Talks column of the pro-independence "Liberty Times" [circulation: 720,000] said (10/25): "... The Green camp is now firmly determined to push for UN membership. It is not afraid of any demons and ghosts. Despite all the sarcasm, the camp will continue running the UN bid torch relay, even if the most important ally, the United States, has repeatedly made harsh remarks, and even though American Institute in Taiwan/Taipei Office Director Stephen Young ridiculed the relay on a [recent] occasion, saying that because he has weak knees, he does not jog anymore and can only climb the Taipei 101 tower, which is an 'upward' course. ..." YOUNG