Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08AITTAIPEI431
2008-03-25 10:54:00
SECRET
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Cable title:
(S) DEMARCHE TO TAIWAN ON MISTAKEN SHIPMENT OF
how-toVZCZCXYZ0012 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHIN #0431 0851054 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 251054Z MAR 08 FM AIT TAIPEI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8537 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 8071
S E C R E T AIT TAIPEI 000431
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/25/2028
TAGS: PARM MTCRE PREL TW CH
SUBJECT: (S) DEMARCHE TO TAIWAN ON MISTAKEN SHIPMENT OF
MISSILE COMPONENTS
REF: SECSTATE 30491
Classified By: AIT Director Stephen M. Young, Reason 1.4 (b/d)1
S E C R E T AIT TAIPEI 000431
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/25/2028
TAGS: PARM MTCRE PREL TW CH
SUBJECT: (S) DEMARCHE TO TAIWAN ON MISTAKEN SHIPMENT OF
MISSILE COMPONENTS
REF: SECSTATE 30491
Classified By: AIT Director Stephen M. Young, Reason 1.4 (b/d)1
1. (S) Director met with Defense Minister Michael Tsai at
1730 hours local (0530 EDT) to deliver reftel points and
leave as a nonpaper. Chief of the General Staff General Huoh
Shou-yeh and other senior advisers also attended the meeting.
Minister Tsai expressed appreciation for our candid
explanation of this incident, and pledged Taiwan MND's full
cooperation in the DOD investigation. Informed of the U.S.
intention to make this incident public, Minister Tsai
expressed some concern that our explanation in no way harm
the robust U.S.-Taiwan security cooperation relationship.
DIR assured the Minister that our intention was to express
gratitude to Taiwan for its cooperation in quickly and
successfully resolving this situation. Cautioning that our
private explanation not be disclosed pending DOD's public
disclosure, I suggested that the Minister brief President
Chen this evening of our meeting, to avoid any
misunderstandings when Washington's press conference occurs.
Minister Tsai indicated he would do so promptly.
2. (S) Comment: The meeting was cordial and conducted as
among friends. Minister Tsai also pledged to work
cooperatively with President-Elect Ma Ying-jeou to brief him
fully on U.S.-Taiwan security cooperation during the
transition to the new government.
YOUNG
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/25/2028
TAGS: PARM MTCRE PREL TW CH
SUBJECT: (S) DEMARCHE TO TAIWAN ON MISTAKEN SHIPMENT OF
MISSILE COMPONENTS
REF: SECSTATE 30491
Classified By: AIT Director Stephen M. Young, Reason 1.4 (b/d)1
1. (S) Director met with Defense Minister Michael Tsai at
1730 hours local (0530 EDT) to deliver reftel points and
leave as a nonpaper. Chief of the General Staff General Huoh
Shou-yeh and other senior advisers also attended the meeting.
Minister Tsai expressed appreciation for our candid
explanation of this incident, and pledged Taiwan MND's full
cooperation in the DOD investigation. Informed of the U.S.
intention to make this incident public, Minister Tsai
expressed some concern that our explanation in no way harm
the robust U.S.-Taiwan security cooperation relationship.
DIR assured the Minister that our intention was to express
gratitude to Taiwan for its cooperation in quickly and
successfully resolving this situation. Cautioning that our
private explanation not be disclosed pending DOD's public
disclosure, I suggested that the Minister brief President
Chen this evening of our meeting, to avoid any
misunderstandings when Washington's press conference occurs.
Minister Tsai indicated he would do so promptly.
2. (S) Comment: The meeting was cordial and conducted as
among friends. Minister Tsai also pledged to work
cooperatively with President-Elect Ma Ying-jeou to brief him
fully on U.S.-Taiwan security cooperation during the
transition to the new government.
YOUNG