PROTEST TO AIT REGARDING TAIWAN UN BID REFERENDUM

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TAIPEI 002033 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/TC, EAP/P, EAP/PD - NIDA EMMONS DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PGOV PREL OPRC KMDR KPAO CH TW SUBJECT: PROTEST TO AIT REGARDING TAIWAN UN BID REFERENDUM REF: TAIPEI 02031 ¶1. During the small group demonstration outside AIT on Sept 4 (reftel),ADIR invited several Legislative Yuan and Taipei Council members (list provided below) to present their views inside AIT. Apart from reading their letters (translated below),several added their own views during the meeting. The thrust of their remarks is that the U.S. should recognize that most Taiwan people support the UN referendum, i.e., not only President Chen or a minority. They also emphasized that they could not understand why the U.S., as a democracy, would oppose a referendum that would only be an expression of the public's sentiments (with no real policy consequence). In response, ADIR expressed strong support for Taiwan's democracy but indicated that we were concerned about the destabilizing elements of the UN referendum that would affect not only U.S. but Taiwan's interests. ADIR promised to convey their petition and messages to Washington. ¶2. The following are full text translations of the two letters of protest: A) UNTA Letter To: Director Stephen Young From: United Nations-Taiwan-Alliance (UNTA) September 4, 2007 Subject: Letter of Protest from UNTA ¶1. On behalf of the 23 million people of Taiwan, the United Nations Taiwan Alliance (UNTA) hereby expresses its regret and indignation to your country [for your opposition to Taiwan's UN referendum plan]. The people of Taiwan want UN membership and to decide their own future through referenda. This is a basic principle for all democratic countries. The United States should not have given in to unreasonable requests from China by denying the people's basic right to hold referendums. ¶2. Taiwan's sovereignty is independent and derived from the people of Taiwan, not from China or the United States. Taiwan is an independent and sovereign country, and the people of Taiwan have the right to decide whether to support Taiwan's bid for UN membership. ¶3. According to various opinion polls, more than 70 percent of the people of Taiwan support Taiwan's application to join the UN under the name of Taiwan. The Legislative Yuan also unanimously passed a resolution in May demanding that the government apply for Taiwan's ;access to WHO under the name of Taiwan. We call on the United States to pay attention to Taiwan's wish to become a UN member. ¶4. On August 27, Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte criticized Taiwan's plan to hold a referendum on its UN bid in an interview with the Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV. It was not a surprise for pro-China media to arrange for such an interview. What we don't understand is how the Untied States, as a world leader of democratic countries, could have ignored China's deployment of nearly 1,000 missiles targeting Taiwan and intention to change the cross-strait status quo with non-peaceful means. Instead, the United States put the blame on Taiwan for its UN referendum plan, which is the most democratic and peaceful means for the people of Taiwan to defend the status quo of Taiwan as an independent and sovereign country. We hope that Director Young would convey this message to President George W. Bush that Taiwan is not only a defender of peace and democracy but has also been a good friend of the United States for many years. We learn with deep regret of the United States' interference with Taiwan's plan to hold a referendum on its UN bid. We would also like Director Young to tell the U.S. Government that the people of Taiwan will not change their determination to enter the UN because of this setback. We will continue to strive for our goal and hope that the United States will understand and support our endeavors. TAIPEI 00002033 002 OF 002 B) Letter of Protest to the American Institute in Taiwan We have been relying on ourselves. We have earned democracy by risking our lives. We refuse to be a board game piece [bargain chip] for U.S.-China negotiations! Today we want to tell you that if you are afraid of China then don't be the big brother. Taiwan wants to be its own master! Your country treats Taiwan like a canary you raised yourself. A sturdy bird cage was built to keep it in captivity. When [they] feel like it, [they] feed you some food to keep you alive. But [you] can neither grow up nor grow fat. Meanwhile, China is glaring at its prey from the side, greedily watching the canary. On August 27, your Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte said in an exclusive interview with the Hong Kong-based Phoenix Television, a "Chinese media outlet" with a military background, that your country views President Chen's promotion of a referendum on applying for UN membership under the name of Taiwan as a step towards Taiwan's declaration of independence. He also emphasized that your country is Taiwan's best friend, strongly supports Taiwan's democracy and economy, and is committed to the defense of Taiwan through the Taiwan Relations Act. If your country is Taiwan's best friend, then why does your country totally disregard a friend's will? Why do you suppress Taiwan's democracy like this? If Taiwan is not an independent state, why does your country have a defense commitment to Taiwan? Negroponte's remarks were contradictory and deviate from the Taiwan people's will. What is more unthinkable is that your country should have used "China's media" to blast Taiwan. These kinds of moves, which do not differentiate between friends and enemies, are inconceivable. We express deep regret and strong protest. On August 30, White House National Security Council [Senior] Director for East Asian Affairs Dennis Wilder said neither "Taiwan" nor "the Republic of China" is now a state. Since we are not anything, then please respect the people of Taiwan. Let us decide what we are. We want to tell you loudly: Taiwan is an independent sovereign state! The people of Taiwan want to bravely cross the red line, open the bird cage, and fly to the UN, to the whole world. September 4, 2007 Presenters: Legislators Kao Chien-chih, Huang Shih-chuo, and Tsai Chi-fang; Taipei City councilors Liu Yao-jen, Huang Hsiang-chun, and Chuang Jui-hsiung. --End of Letter of Protest-- WANG