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