FM YANG: TAIWAN'S CHEN SHUI-BIAN TO DECLARE

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 006044

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR S/ES-O OOB ALERTS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2032
TAGS: PREL MARR CH TW
SUBJECT: FM YANG: TAIWAN'S CHEN SHUI-BIAN TO DECLARE
FORMAL INDEPENDENCE AT 9/15 RALLY

BEIJING 00006044 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Ambassador Clark T. Randt, Jr. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).


1. (S) Summary: Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi called
in the Ambassador September 14 to report that
according to Chinese intelligence information, Taiwan
President Chen Shui-bian will formally declare that
Taiwan is a sovereign independent state at a large
rally in Taiwan on Saturday, 15 September, and may
announce a name change ("State of Taiwan") and a new
National Day (September 8). Chen is a danger to peace
in the region, FM Yang said, and the United States
should take immediate action to prevent his separatist
activities, including Chen's planned September 15
statement. End Summary.

FM Yang Warns of a Formal Declaration of Independence
-------------- --------------


2. (S) At a September 14 meeting with the Ambassador
requested by Foreign Minister Yang on an urgent basis,
a somber FM Yang reading from a prepared Chinese text
told the ambassador that according to Chinese
intelligence, (Taiwan President) Chen Shui-bian will
"formally declare" that Taiwan is a "sovereign
independent state" at a major rally planned for
Saturday, September 15, in Taiwan. FM Yang said that
Chen may also declare a new name, the "State of
Taiwan," and that September 8 will be the new National
Day if the referendum on joining the UN in the name of
Taiwan is successful. (See septel on FM Yang's and VFM
Zhang Yesui's protest regarding recent announcement of
U.S. arms sales to Taiwan which immediately followed
FM Yang's demarche.) Note: Chen has stated many times
previously in public that Taiwan is a "sovereign
independent state." The question is why the Chinese
perceive Chen's alleged upcoming statement to be a
"formal" declaration of "de jure" independence. End
Note.

Yang Repeats Litany of Complaints against CSB
--------------


3. (S) FM Yang said that recently Chen "and his
cohorts" have taken a series of "provocative
separatist steps" such as the referendum on joining
the UN under the name of Taiwan. "This has generated
strong opposition from the international community and
from compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits."
Instead of exercising restraint, Chen continues to
push, and these actions represent another dangerous
step toward de jure independence, Yang stated. China
strongly condemns these actions.


4. (S) Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and any
effort to separate Taiwan from China is doomed to
failure, FM Yang said. Chen wants to create chaos on
Taiwan and increase tensions in the Taiwan Strait
through his provocative actions in order to win votes
in the upcoming elections, keep his political party in
power, and "escape prosecution for his own corrupt
activities," FM Yang said.


5. (S) FM Yang asserted that by pursuing his
fundamental aim of Taiwan independence, Chen is
"selfishly harming the peace and stability in the
Taiwan Strait and in the Asia-Pacific region." Yang
continued: "Chen is hoping that China and the
international community will tolerate his moves toward
Taiwan independence. In doing so, he is dreaming the
impossible dream and is blind to reality."

China Will Defend its Interests
--------------


6. (S) FM Yang noted that China has made "unrelenting
efforts" to ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan
Strait and in the Asia-Pacific region and has
exercised "maximum restraint" despite Chen's
provocations. China, however, will never allow anyone
to separate Taiwan from China under any circumstances.
Invoking "the Chinese people's sacred power," Yang
said, China will not waver, will not compromise its
sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will stop
Taiwan's separatist acts.

United States Should See Danger, Take Immediate Action

BEIJING 00006044 002.2 OF 002


-------------- --------------


7. (S) FM Yang noted that President Bush reiterated to
President Hu Jintao at APEC that the United States
adheres to a one-China policy and "opposes Taiwan
independence." FM Yang stated that President Bush
also said that the United States would watch the
situation carefully and try to preserve peace in the
Taiwan Strait. FM Yang expressed China's appreciation
for these statements.


8. (S) Recent developments, however, show that Chen is
increasing his independence activities, FM Yang
continued. China hopes that the United States will
recognize the gravity of the situation and take
"immediate and more forceful" action to prevent Chen
from making his planned statement on Taiwan
independence. The United States should make clear
that China and the United States are "firm and
unified" in opposing Taiwan independence to convince
Chen that any attempt is doomed to failure. If Chen
clings to his course and officially declares
independence, China will be bound to "react strongly."


9. (S) Departing from his prepared notes (which the
fluent in English FM Yang was reading in Chinese),FM
Yang stressed that the event is scheduled to happen
"tomorrow" (Saturday, September 15) and requested that
the Ambassador immediately report Chinese concerns to
the highest levels of the U.S. Government.


10. (S) The Ambassador assured FM Yang that the United
States takes this matter very seriously and that he
would report to Washington China's concerns. He
emphasized the importance of Chinese restraint.

FM Yang Reiterates Seriousness of the Issue
--------------


11. (S) FM Yang said that China will "spare no effort"
to preserve peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait
and reiterated that China cannot accept the separation
of Taiwan from China in any form. He asserted that
Chen's "plotting and scheming will never succeed."
The United States has made a clear stand in not
wanting to see an increase in tensions, he noted,
urging the United States to adopt measures to block
Chen's "path toward independence" and to avoid sending
"any wrong signals" to Taiwan independence forces.
Randt