MEDIA REACTION: IRAN, CHINA'S HUMAN RIGHTS, SIXTIETH

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 000465 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: IRAN, CHINA'S HUMAN RIGHTS, SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF TAIWAN'S 2-28 INCIDENT ¶1. Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused news coverage February 28 - March 1 on the sixtieth anniversary of the 2-28 Incident, on the sudden tumble of China's stock market Tuesday, and on the 2008 presidential elections. The pro-status quo "China Times" carried the results of its latest survey on page four March 1, which showed that former KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou remains the most popular KMT candidate for the 2008 presidential election, while Premier Su Tseng-chang is the DPP's best hope among the party's four bigwigs. ¶2. In terms of editorials and commentaries, a "China Times" column discussed Washington's policy toward Iran and urged the United States to make a security commitment to Iran and Syria rather than simply intimidating them. An editorial in the pro-unification "United Daily News" discussed Chinese President Hu Jintao's personal approval of Gao Yaojie, a Chinese veteran AIDS fighter, having received an award in the United States. The article said when it comes to human rights condition in China as a whole, there is still ample room for the Beijing government to show more democracy and more tolerance. With regard to the 2-28 Incident, an editorial in the limited-circulation, pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times" said the biggest change for this year is the DPP government's decision to name Chiang Kai-shek as the "primary culprit" for the 2-28 Incident. Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Randall Schriver opined in both the pro-independence "Liberty Times," and its sister publication, the English-language "Taipei Times," that both the American people and U.S. policymakers should care about the tragic events of 2-28. End summary. ¶3. Iran "The United States Should Allow Iran and Syria to Dialogue with It with Dignity" The "International Outlook" column in the pro-status quo "China Times" [circulation: 400,000] noted (3/1): "... Dr. Hans Blix, [former head of the UN nuclear weapons inspection,] also mentioned about security commitment [in a recent seminar], which is in reality the key to the entire matter. Be it Iraq, North Korea, or even Syria, they have all been listed by the United States as nations of the 'axis of evil,' against which Washington can use force anytime it wants. Under such circumstances, how can they not think of ways to defend themselves? If the United States can make a security commitment to Iran and Syria instead of intimidating them, the talks [with them] will come out favorably. But if Washington fails to elaborate on this point and just lets Iraq work as white gloves and does only limited mediation, it is certain that such a dialogue will be meaningless." ¶4. China's Human Rights "Another Perspective: Beijing Ought to View and Handle the Human Rights Issue in a More Proactive Manner" The pro-unification "United Daily News" [circulation: 400,000] editorialized (3/1): "... Hu Jintao's personal approval of [Chinese AIDS activist] Gao Yaojie to visit the United States seemed a move to show regard for the face of Hillary [Clinton] but, in reality, Beijing also won itself face. Even though we do not want to come to the sudden conclusion that the Beijing authorities have tried to become more flexible or more open, we can at least say that China has gradually overcome its psychological barrier and will no longer regard dissidents' public criticisms against the Chinese government as traitorous actions. We would rather see it as a gratifying change. ... With regard to the matter of Gao Yaojie, Hu has demonstrated full confidence. But judging from human rights conditions in China as a whole, there is still ample room for the Beijing government to show more democracy and more tolerance. The world should applaud Gao for winning the U.S. human rights award. But it will be a more significant milestone in terms of human rights if one day she can get a medal from her own government." ¶5. Sixtieth Anniversary of Taiwan's 2-28 Incident A) "Historical Record Is Key to Justice" The pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times" [circulation: 30,000] "Today is the 60th anniversary of the 228 Incident, a political and social watershed that still has the potential to split the nation. ... This year, the biggest change has been the government's decision to name dictator Chiang Kai-shek as primary culprit for the 228 Incident. This may bring some comfort to the families of victims, and it is a credible assertion based on the evidence, but it has been too long in coming. ... The 228 Incident has come to crystallize the beginning of a string of tragedies and abuses that began almost immediately after KMT troops arrived in Taiwan at the end of World War II. These abuses, including the security census and the White Terror that followed the 228 Incident, must never be forgotten if this nation is to arrive at a just reading of the past. ..." B) "The 228 Incident and American Perceptions" Randall Schriver, former U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs and a founding partner of Armitage International, opined in the pro-independence "Liberty Times" [circulation: 500,000] and the paper's sister publication, the English-language "Taipei Times" [circulation: 30,000] (2/28): "... By failing to appreciate the tremendous significance of 228 for Taiwanese to this day, US officials operate in a policy environment characterized by a huge disconnect between those in Taiwan (for whom 228 continues to loom large) and those in Washington (for whom 228 means very little). This disconnect can be consequential in the management of US-Taiwan bilateral relations, and in shaping respective views on the cross-strait situation. ... "We do know that many in the US government today lack an understanding of the passion behind such proposals in Taiwan, and thus tend to take a cynical view of such initiatives. What's worse, they often tend to learn about policy developments of this nature from China's demarches and complaints, rather than from an informed reading of contemporary Taiwanese politics. This is not a lengthy wind-up in preparation for an apology for US ignorance. Rather, it's meant as a cautionary note to friends in Taiwan who are endeavoring to deepen and strengthen Taiwan's democracy, and who feel that historical rectification should be a part of that agenda. ... "Where does this leave us? Clearly Americans should care about the tragic events of 228. And US policymakers certainly should care. I applaud the efforts of Taiwanese and Taiwanese Americans who are determined to see that we remember the past, and that we are informed by those events as we endeavor to produce wise policies for today's challenges. However, Taiwanese leaders must also understand that their own policy choices will be evaluated by not the Americans they wish they had but by the Americans they have. The very necessary work of healing old wounds in Taiwan must proceed. But Taiwan's leaders should advance their agenda of historical rectification with a realpolitik appreciation for international spillover." YOUNG