DPP CHAIRPERSON TSAI ING-WEN ON TAIWAN POLITICAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TAIPEI 001210

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/13/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL TW
SUBJECT: DPP CHAIRPERSON TSAI ING-WEN ON TAIWAN POLITICAL
DEVELOPMENTS

Classified By: AIT Director Stephen M. Young,
Reasons: 1.4 (b/d)


1. (C) Summary: DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen told the
Director on August 12 that her recent statements criticizing
the KMT's cross-Strait policies reflected the views of party
supporters and were necessary to placate their "anger." Tsai
said her current priority is getting the DPP house in order
and she did not expect to be meeting with Chinese visitors at
this stage. On the recent party congress, Tsai noted that
the new Central Standing Committee is much younger than
before. Also, amendments approved by the congress have
strengthened the power and authority of party headquarters,
especially to select candidates for the 2009 local elections.
DPP International Affairs Director Lin Chen-wei, who
accompanied Tsai, raised recent events in Georgia, wondering
whether events there had some significance to America's
commitment to Taiwan. The Director stressed that Taiwan and
Georgia are quite different, and moreover the U.S. has a
long-standing commitment to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations
Act. Tsai thought former President Chen's criminal
investigation would play out slowly before any possible
decision to indict him might be reached. Tsai informed the
Director she will be visiting the U.S., including Washington
DC, in September. End Summary


2. (C) On August 12, the Director discussed political
developments with DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen, who was
accompanied by DPP International Affairs Director Lin
Chen-wei. Tsai informed the Director she will be visiting
the U.S. in September, delivering two speeches at Cornell
University on Sept. 4 and 5, and then traveling to New York,
Washington, Houston, and Los Angeles. Turning to the
political situation in Taiwan, Tsai said DPP supporters are
very unhappy about how the KMT government is dealing with
cross-Strait issues. Her recent criticisms of the KMT's
cross-Strait policy were what her supporters wanted to say,
she explained, adding that her statements have served to calm
their anger.


3. (C) Tsai said she will participate in a demonstration
organized by the Taiwan Society near the Presidential Office
on August 30, approximately 100 days after Ma's inauguration.
She cannot ignore the demonstration, Tsai said, and any
effort to stop it would backfire. However, the DPP will work
to avoid confrontation and make the demonstration somewhat
lighthearted. Tsai said she had told the organizers she did
not want to see personal attacks. Demonstrators can express
their anger and unhappiness but should not attack the
government.


4. (C) The Director told Tsai the U.S. is comfortable with
cross-Strait developments thus far under the KMT, but
understands that her role as opposition leader is to
criticize the government in a judicious way. Tsai responded
that the people of course want her to criticize the
government still more for incompetence and for selling out
Taiwan. The majority of supporters are pleased with the way
she has been speaking on their behalf, Tsai added.


5. (C) Tsai told the Director she had deflected a recent
request for a meeting with a PRC visitor to Taiwan. Getting
her own DPP house in order was her priority, not dialogue
with China, Tsai noted. The Director asked whether Tsai
would consider meeting with Association for Relations Across
the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) Chairman Chen Yunlin when he visits
Taiwan later this year. Tsai turned to Lin Chen-wei, who
said the feasibility of a meeting would depend on what was
said by the Chinese prior to Chen's visit, whether they would
say his meetings would be without preconditions or would be
on the basis of one China. Without going into details, Tsai
said the DPP would have additional conditions for such a
meeting, seeming to suggest that a meeting with Chen Yunlin
would be difficult or impossible. Tsai also said the DPP is
not at a point where there is a need to consider seriously
any policy adjustments.


6. (C) The Director asked Tsai whether the KMT government's
current problems may be emboldening the DPP old guard to take

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a more active role in party affairs, complicating her reform
efforts. Tsai responded that the "senior members" have been
"okay," adding that she has seen them quite a few times in
the past three months. Former Chairman Hsu Hsin-liang is
rejoining the DPP, and former Chairman Lin I-hsiung is also
very supportive. Tsai said she has visited former President
Chen twice in his new office, and he has been supportive and
"chatty." Tsai thought it would take a long time to reach
any possible decision to prosecute Chen. Banning overseas
travel by Chen would be controversial and "silly"
politically, she added. It would be good if Chen travels and
gets away from politics for a time, Tsai said, adding that
Chen has not commented much on Ma Ying-jeou either publicly
or privately since leaving office.


7. (C) Lin Chen-wei asked the Director whether there are
parallels between Georgia and Taiwan and whether China would
take lessons from the Russian experience with Georgia. The
Director explained the background of the conflict between
Russia and Georgia, and stressed that the situation of Taiwan
is quite different than Georgia. Moreover, the U.S. has a
long-standing commitment under the Taiwan Relations Act and a
strong security relationship with Taiwan.


8. (C) Asked about the results of the DPP party congress on
July 18, Tsai noted that the members of the new Central
Standing Committee (CSC) are much younger than their
predecessors. Most people who participate in party affairs
are now in their 30s and 40s, she added. The DPP approved a
number of amendments at the congress, the effect of which was
to strengthen the power and authority of party headquarters,
especially in the process for nominating candidates. Tsai
added she did not enjoy having so much power. The DPP needs
to make itself into a more credible party, Tsai stressed.

Comment
--------------


9. (C) Tsai Ing-wen, who brings a moderate and professional
image to the DPP, is currently Taiwan's most popular
politician, according to at least one poll. She appears to
be doing a quite credible job so far in managing a party that
has been known for factionalism and backbiting. Rallies,
marches, and demonstrations are one important part of the
DPP's traditional culture. One key to the DPP's making a
strong comeback will for the rather low-key Tsai to
demonstrate an ability to stir large and impassioned crowds
of supporters.


YOUNG