MEDIA REACTION: TAIWAN'S POLITICAL ISSUES, IRAN

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 000272

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: TAIWAN'S POLITICAL ISSUES, IRAN



1. Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies all gave
front-page coverage February 2 to Rebar Group founder Wang You-theng
and his wife, who reportedly boarded a Singapore Airlines flight
from Los Angeles and stopped over in Singapore today en route to
Myanmar (Burma). Coverage also focused on former President Lee
Teng-hui's recent remarks on Taiwan independence, on the reshuffle
of high-ranking Taiwan military officials, and on other political
issues. In terms of editorials and commentaries, an editorial in
the pro-unification "United Daily News" criticized President Chen
Shui-bian and the DPP for inciting illusory "psychological Taiwan
independence" in an attempt to tear apart Taiwan's society and fish
in troubled waters, because they know in their hearts that there is
no prospect for "de jure Taiwan independence." An editorial in the
limited-circulation, pro-independence, English-language "Taipei
Times," however, criticized the international media outlets for
showing no interest in reporting on Taiwan's political situation.
The "International Outlook" column in the pro-status quo "China
Times," on the other hand, criticized the United States' "messy"
Iran policy, saying Washington should not have helped to remove
Iran's enemies. End summary.


2. Taiwan's Political Issues

A) "'De Jure Taiwan Independence' Runs into a Blind Alley, but
'Psychological Taiwan Independence' Keeps Burning Hot!"

The pro-unification "United Daily News" [circulation: 400,000]
editorialized (2/2):

"... But even though both Chen Shui-bian and the DPP know clearly
that there is no prospect for 'de jure Taiwan independence,' they
have been adding fuel to 'psychological Taiwan independence.' Their
moves, such as expanding efforts to commemorate the sixtieth
anniversary of the February 28 Incident, pushing the campaign to
write a new constitution, and seeking proactively to 'de-ROC-ify'
Taiwan's history textbooks, are all evident attempts to ignite and
manipulate 'psychological Taiwan independence' from cultural, social
and educational aspects. ...

"As a result, [the pursuit of] 'Taiwan independence' becomes not an
external battle but an internal struggle; people are not really
pushing for 'de jure Taiwan independence' but are stirring up
illusory 'psychological Taiwan independence' in an attempt to tear
society apart and fish in troubled waters. In fact, Chen and the
DPP know very clearly in their hearts that there is absolutely no
possibility of 'de jure Taiwan independence.' Then why on earth do
they want to destroy the Republic of China and push for
'de-ROC-ification' on the social, psychological and cognitive
levels? ..."

B) "An Independent Taiwan in 2008?"

The pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times" [circulation:
30,000] editorialized (2/2):

"... International media outlets do a good job of reporting on
events in Taiwan, as long as there is a sexy cross-strait or
business angle. But when it comes to pedestrian issues, such as
political reform, most news outlets fall short. Correspondents for
international wire, print or broadcast media who approach their
overseas editors with a story lacking a 'China angle' have a tough
fight on their hands. ... When policymakers from, say, the US are
left in the dark about basic aspects of Taiwan's society and
political system, they cannot be expected to formulate meaningful
policy. Much of the think-tanking and analyzing that goes on in
Washington is mere regurgitation of what is reported in major media
outlets. Only a handful of specialists possesses in-depth knowledge
of Taiwan. Meanwhile, most 'experts' who write or comment widely on
the US' foreign policy toward Taiwan, China or East Asia have only
superficial knowledge of Taiwanese politics. ... Why will any of
this matter outside of Taiwan? Given the changes, it is possible
that a party could win a legislative super-majority, enabling it to
do all kinds of things, such as write a new constitution. Or
declare independence. Even the international media would notice
that."


3. Iran

"The United States Makes One Error after Another with Regard to Its
Iran Policy"

The "International Outlook" column in the pro-status quo "China
Times" [circulation: 400,000] noted (2/2):

"... In fact, the United States has always been messy in handling
the Iran issue. ... If Washington sees Iran as a big problem, it
should not have removed its enemies... Iran had two major enemies,
one was the Taliban of Afghanistan, which threatened Iran because it
was supported by Pakistan, and the other was Saddam Hussein of Iraq.

... Luckily [for Iran] the United States has been a great help; it
destroyed the Taliban of Afghanistan and killed Saddam Hussein in
Iraq, clearing away all the neighboring threats for Iran. Iran, in
return, started to re-manage its relations with the two. What else
could this be if not luck? Now the United States is even giving up
on Iran and starting to help Iraq. If it wants to do so, why didn't
it keep Saddam Hussein in the first place and let him deal with
Iran? If one makes a comparison between Saddam Hussein and Iran,
which one on earth is more threatening to the United States' global
strategy?"

WANG