FOREIGN MINISTER OU ON UN EFFORT, DIPLOMATIC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 TAIPEI 001373 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON PM PA NU GT DR CH TW SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER OU ON UN EFFORT, DIPLOMATIC ALLIES, AND BILATERAL TIES Classified By: AIT Director Stephen M. Young, Reasons: 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Foreign Minister Ou told the Director on September 18 that the failure of Taiwan's UN proposal the day before was expected. Both Taiwan and the PRC made an effort to downplay the issue, and although the PRC reaction was "a little tough," PermRep Wang Guangya's UN statement also indicated a willingness to work out a formula for Taiwan's participation in WHO. Taiwan's main target is the WHA, Ou stressed. The Director provided Ou a courtesy copy of the U.S. statement on the UN proposal, highlighting our support for Taiwan's observership at the WHA. According to Ou, Beijing does not appear to be taking any actions at this time to undermine Taiwan's diplomatic relationships. Continued progress in cross-Strait relations might lead Beijing to consider Taiwan's proposal for a "diplomatic truce," he suggested. Taiwan hopes to have a higher level representative at this year's APEC, and President Ma Ying-jeou is considering candidates, Ou said, adding that Taiwan will have to make a decision by the end of September. The Director stressed that the U.S. would like to be helpful and strongly supports Taiwan's full participation in APEC. Ou and the Director also discussed arms sales and plans for a groundbreaking ceremony for AIT's New Office Compound (NOC) project. End Summary. Taiwan's UN Proposal -------------- ¶2. (C) The Director and Foreign Minister Francisco Ou discussed Taiwan's UN initiative and its relations with diplomatic allies in a meeting at the Foreign Ministry on September 18. (Note: The UN General Committee (GC) on September 17 decided there was no consensus on the proposed supplementary item for the UNGA agenda: "Need to examine the fundamental rights of the 23 million people of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to participate meaningfully in the activities of the United Nations specialized agencies.") FM Ou said it was important that both sides made an effort this year to downplay the issue, and Taiwan expected this result. Our target is the WHA, Ou added. ¶3. (C) Ou said PRC PermRep Wang Guangya's statement was "a little bit tough," for example, the mention of Resolution ¶2758. However, he also tried to show goodwill by noting Beijing willingness to work out a formula for Taiwan's participation in WHO, and this was positive. In its response, Ou said, Taiwan would reiterate its right to meaningfully participate in the activities of UN specialized agencies. ¶4. (C) The Director provided FM Ou a courtesy copy of the U.S. statement on Taiwan's UN initiative that would be published on the USUN website, stressing that the statement should not be treated as a public document until it was released. The U.S. statement highlights our support for Taiwan's quest to become a WHA observer, he pointed out. Ou expressed appreciation and said the U.S. statement was very encouraging. While Taiwan needs the PRC to show good intentions on WHO, support from the U.S. and other members of the international community is even more important, Ou emphasized. The Foreign Minister also observed that building cross-Strait confidence and trust will take time after nearly 60 years of confrontation. What is important is to move in this direction, which will benefit both sides, he added. Diplomatic Allies -------------- ¶5. (C) The Director asked about the status of Taiwan's relations with its diplomatic allies, and whether the PRC Foreign Ministry would hold back on trying to undermine Taiwan's diplomatic relationships. Taiwan interprets Beijing's intentions by its actions, Ou noted. MOFA's perception is that the PRC is not taking actions to win over Taiwan's allies at this point. Ou acknowledged, however, that some allies have been approaching China, including Panama, Paraguay, and the Dominican Republic. Although Paraguay did not support the UN initiative, it still has been working with Taiwan on cooperation projects, which demonstrates an intention to continue relations. The new Paraguayan government wants to use the funds being provided by Taiwan for new projects, he added. Ou said that Nicaragua has been very quiet up to now. Guatemala, where he served as ambassador, is not a problem, although it does want to have economic and commercial relations with China, which is all right. ¶6. (C) If some of Taiwan's allies ask to switch recognition, would Beijing say no, the Director asked. Ou responded that this would depend on how well cross-Strait relations and negotiations were going. If the dialogue between the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) goes well, then the Chinese will be more agreeable to Taiwan's proposal for a diplomatic truce, Ou predicted. APEC -------------- ¶7. (C) Ou said Taiwan is hoping to elevate the level of its representative to the APEC informal leaders meeting, adding that President Ma is considering candidates. Taiwan will have to make a decision by the end of September, he noted. At that time, Peru will send a second envoy to Taiwan to receive the proposed representative's name. Stressing U.S. support for Taiwan's full participation in APEC, the Director asked Ou to keep AIT informed of developments. Arms Sales -------------- ¶8. (C) Ou asked about pending arms sales notifications, observing that both Taiwan and the PRC are concerned about the issue, although for very different reasons. The Director explained simply that the decision on arms sales would be made at the highest levels. NOC Groundbreaking -------------- ¶9. (C) AIT hopes to hold a groundbreaking ceremony in January at the New Office Compound (NOC) site in Neihu, the Director noted. Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin has expressed his interest in participating in the ceremony. As the time draws closer, the Director said, he would like to talk to Ou and the Presidential Office about possible participation. The ceremony will be a symbol of the lasting U.S. commitment to Taiwan, he pointed out. Comment -------------- ¶10. (C) FM Ou seemed to want to make the best out of the outcome in New York yesterday, taking heart from Wang Guangya's comments about working out a formula for Taiwan's participation in WHO. Ou believes international backing is critical for Taiwan to make headway in its campaign for increased international space, which is focused on WHO/WHA. Therefore he particularly appreciated the expression in our statement of support on WHO and WHA. Ou also sees the continued improvement of cross-Strait relations as key to ensuring PRC restraint on the diplomatic front, including with respect to not trying to woo away Taiwan's few remaining diplomatic allies. YOUNG