MEDIA REACTION: THE MUMBAI TERRORIST ATTACKS, THE U.S.

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 001669 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD - NIDA EMMONS DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: THE MUMBAI TERRORIST ATTACKS, THE U.S. MILITARY STRATEGY, U.S.-CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS ¶1. Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused news coverage November 29 - December 1 on the probe into the former first family's corruption scandals; on the economic downturn in Taiwan; and on speculation about a cabinet reshuffle. ¶2. In terms of editorials and commentaries, regarding the Mumbai terrorist attacks, a column in the centrist, KMT-leaning "China Times" commented on the attacks as relating to South Asian geopolitics and the United States' war on terror. An editorial in the conservative, pro-unification, English-language "China Post" hailed United States President George W. Bush's efforts in fighting terrorism and cast doubts on whether Bush's successor Barack Obama can protect the United States from the threat of terrorism. With respect to the United States' military presence in the Asia-Pacific region, an op-ed in the pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times" commented on the United States Pacific Command's subtle revised combat strategy which was unveiled recently. In the U.S.-China-Taiwan relations, an editorial in the pro-independence, English-language "Taiwan News" criticized President Ma Ying-jeou's cross-Strait policy, saying that Ma's policy could win favor in Washington but lead to an undemocratic "final solution." End summary. ¶3. The Mumbai Terrorist Attacks A) "The Effect of the Mumbai Terrorist Attacks" The column "Concept Platform" in the centrist, KMT-leaning "China Times" [circulation: 220,000] wrote (11/30): "The shock wave of the Mumbai terrorist attacks has repercussions on the direction of South Asian geopolitics. [The attacks] also gave advance notification that the war on terror is not over yet, and even challenged the layout of the United States' global war on terror. ... "Pakistan is an important partner of the United States in the global war on terror as well as being friendly with China. The conflict between India and Pakistan will definitely change Pakistan's warfare deployment and invisibly provide 'Al Qaida' with room for survival. The result of such a strategic change of direction certainly will disrupt the time schedule of the United States' war on terror. In order not to be involved in the incident and become a target of public criticism, Pakistan instantly denied that it instigated the attacks behind the scene or incited the attacks, and it ordered officials to help in the investigation. What [Pakistan] put into consideration was the element of the United States' anti-terrorism. ... "The Mumbai terrorist attacks hit the sensitive nerve of conflict between India and Pakistan and affected the two countries' crisis management capabilities. Equilibrium in South Asia is the driving force of the United States, as well as China's competition in the geopolitics [of the region]. Strained Indo-Pakistani bilateral relations do not help to stabilize the South Asian situation, which not only the United States and China are not happy to see but also puts new variables in the balance of power in South Asia. The consequence of fomenting conflict is certainly a direct impact on South Asian geopolitics and indirectly delays the Obama Administration's plan to withdraw troops from Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as the United States' strategic deployment in the global war on terror starting in 2001. ..." B) "War on Terror a Long Way off" The pro-unification, English-language "China Post" [circulation: 30,000] editorialized (11/29): "... [Indian Prime Minister Manmohan] Singh said correctly that the attackers aimed to create panic and turmoil in India, which, along with China, is rising rapidly as an economic power to be reckoned with. It is a warning to the free world that it is so vulnerable to terrorism that it should pull together to battle this scourge. The world needs a unified anti-terror agency to take charge of the mission. India was completely in the dark prior to the surprise attack, much the same as America was caught off guard by 9/11. It was an abject failure of intelligence. Early this week, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a warning that al-Qaida may attack the rapid transit system of New York during Thanksgiving. The alert was useful, telling terrorists that New York was prepared. "In this respect, George W. Bush, despite his failed presidency deserves credit for being able to prevent another 9/11 on U.S. homeland. This said, he also deserves condemnation for extraordinary rendition, Gitmo, waterboarding, wire tapping, etc. But Bush is a 'war president' who wields extraordinary powers to protect his people during extraordinary times. His successor Barack MILITARY STRATEGY, U.S.-CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS Obama has vowed to do away with Bush's way of treating terrorists. It remains to be seen whether being kinder to international terrorists would not jeopardize American national security." ¶4. The U.S. Military Strategy "U.S. Command Adjusts Its Strategy" Richard Halloran, a writer based in Hawaii, opined in the pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times" [circulation: 30,000] (11/30): "The US Pacific Command, which controls US forces from the west coast of North America to the east coast of Africa, has fashioned a subtle revision in its strategy of reassuring friends and deterring potential enemies, notably China and North Korea. "The new strategy, approved this month by the command's leader, Admiral Timothy Keating, is 'based on partnership, presence and military readiness.' Earlier versions were more assertive, saying 'it is a strategy rooted in partnership and military preeminence.' ... "Officers at the command's headquarters said the revised strategy was aimed at several audiences: "First, the officers of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force throughout the Asia-Pacific region, some of whom apparently believe that conflict with China is likely, maybe inevitable. 'The command wants to make sure that everyone understands that it is not inevitable,' one officer said. "Second, US government agencies other than the Department of Defense. An undercurrent rumbling through the armed forces contends that the State Department, Agency for International Development, Treasury and other agencies are leaving too many non-military tasks, such as reconstruction in Iraq, to the military. "Third, allies such as Japan and Australia and partners such as Singapore. Another undercurrent represents fears that the US may reduce its forces in the Asia-Pacific region or even withdraw. The strategy seeks to reassure everyone that the command will be 'an engaged and trusted partner committed to preserving the security' of the region. "Fourth, known adversaries such as North Korea and potential opponents such as China. ... "It points to a 'maturing US-China military-to-military relationship' while acknowledging that 'tension remains across the Taiwan Strait.' "Taiwan, of course, is the most likely cause of war between China and the US. Beijing contends that Taiwan is part of China and has threatened to use military force to conquer it. The US insists that the fate of Taiwan be determined peaceably and in accord with the wishes of the people. ... "Even with the emphasis on partnership, the strategy concludes on an assertive note: In the Asia-Pacific region, the command is to be the 'pre-eminent warfighter.'" ¶5. U.S.-China-Taiwan RELATIONS "Ma's Risky Agenda" The pro-independence, English-language "Taiwan News" [circulation: 20,000] editorialized (12/1): "... Seemingly unmoved by the continued downward spiral of the economy and the plunge of his own approval ratings to the mid-20 percentile, Ma has devoted most of his energies to achieving four political agendas upon which Ma aims to build his re-election campaign. "The first pillar is the resumption of cross-strait dialogue and immediate opening of charter flights and Chinese tourists to Taiwan, which Ma aims to use to pave the way for the second and third pillars of his agenda, namely to secure a green light from Beijing for Taiwan's participation in next year's World Health Assembly and endorsement from the United States for his efforts to normalize cross-strait relations. "Ma has largely realized his first goal by riding roughshod over dissidence and by ignoring the troubling implications for his own long-term leadership spawned by the primacy of the KMT-CCP platform in cross-strait negotiations. MILITARY STRATEGY, U.S.-CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS "Nevertheless, embedded in these two 'achievements' is a severe erosion of Taiwan's sovereignty and a depreciation of Taiwan's strategic value in the triangular relationship between the US, the PRC and Taiwan. "While the right-wing Republican administration of outgoing President George W. Bush has stressed a 'peaceful resolution' of cross-strait disputes, it has also clearly de-emphasized the key condition of 'assent of the Taiwan people' voiced by former Democratic president Bill Clinton in February 2000. "All Taiwan citizens should carefully consider whether single-minded pursuit of a cross-strait 'detente' that could win favor in Washington and Beijing but lead to an undemocratic 'final solution' is in our best collective interests. ..." YOUNG