CONGRESSMAN FALEOMAVAEGA'S DECEMBER 7 MEETINGS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TAIPEI 002596 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE ALSO FOR EAP/TC USTR FOR STRATFORD AND KATZ E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON ETRD SENV TW SUBJECT: CONGRESSMAN FALEOMAVAEGA'S DECEMBER 7 MEETINGS WITH MA YING-JEOU AND PREMIER CHANG REF: TAIPEI 2578 TAIPEI 00002596 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Stephen M. Young, AIT Director, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY and INTRODUCTION. In separate December 7 meetings with Taiwan's Premier Chang Chun-hsiung and KMT presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou, Congressman Eni F.H. Faleomavaega (D - American Samoa),Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Subcommittee of the Foreign Affairs Committee, stressed U.S. interest in cross-Strait issues and reiterated that the U.S. would work with whomever Taiwan's voters chose as their new president next March. He discussed climate change with the Premier and lamented that the U.S. had not signed the Kyoto Protocol. In a separate meeting, KMT Presidential Candidate Ma told the Congressman that U.S. public comments on the UN referendum issue had significantly dampened support for the measures and that neither the DPP nor the KMT-sponsored measure was likely to pass. The Congressman also met with President Chen Shui-bian (reftel). End Summary. Premier Chang Chun-hsiung -------------- ¶2. (C) In his courtesy call on Premier Chang Chun-hsiung, Congressman Faleomavaega reiterated the U.S. interest in cross-Strait issues and praised Taiwan's strong democracy and excellent bilateral trading relationship with the U.S. He said that whomever Taiwan chooses as its next president, the U.S. looks forward to working with him. ¶3. (C) Commenting on environmental issues, the Congressman noted that he had just come from Bali where he participated in the opening session of the UN Framework Conference on Climate Change. He said that it was unfortunate that the U.S. had not signed the Kyoto Protocol. Although acknowledging that there are some deficiencies in the text, he said that the U.S. refusal to sign the agreement puts the U.S. "way behind" in negotiating any changes to the agreement. "If you are not at the table, then you are on the menu," said Faleomavaega. We've been on the menu for the past ten years on global warming, he concluded. ¶4. (C) Premier Chang stated that even though Taiwan is not a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, Taiwan is working to control CO2 emissions and trying to reach a balance between maintaining economic growth and controlling CO2 emissions. ¶5. (C) Turning to the overall bilateral relationship, the Premier stated that he is confident that Taiwan and the U.S. will maintain their good relations regardless of who Taiwan elects as president next March. He stated, however, that the two Taiwan political parties have different goals vis-a-vis cross-Strait issues. He asserted that the DPP is committed to maintaining the status quo, while the KMT has unification with China as its ultimate goal. He stated that in order to maintain the status quo it is very important for Taiwan to be able to participate in international organizations. If Taiwan continues to be marginalized, he said, it will severely damage Taiwan and U.S. interests. KMT Presidential Candidate Ma Ying-jeou -------------- ¶6. (C) At a breakfast meeting on December 7, KMT presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou told Congressman Faleomavaega that strong, clearly-worded U.S. opposition to the DPP UN referendum has significantly reduced public support for the measure. According to KMT polls from late November, Ma continued, only 20 percent of those polled would vote in favor of the DPP referendum, while only 16 percent would support the KMT version which proposes UN membership but necessarily under the name "Taiwan." Moreover, 36 TAIPEI 00002596 002.2 OF 002 percent of those polled said they planned to abstain from voting on either measure. Neither measure is likely to pass, Ma concluded, because voter apathy now exceeds voter interest in both measures combined. ¶7. (U) The Congressman was accompanied by Staff Director Lisa Williams and Staff Associate Vili Lei. The Codel departed before it had an opportunity to clear this cable. YOUNG