MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS, NORTH KOREA

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 001030 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/P, EAP/PD - THOMAS HAMM DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS, NORTH KOREA ¶1. Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused news coverage August 25 on two more confirmed deaths linked to the H1N1 virus, on the threat posed by the H1N1 epidemic to the ongoing rescue and relief efforts in the disaster zones caused by Typhoon Morakot, and on the reconstruction and rebuilding plans in the disaster zones. In terms of editorials and commentaries, a column in the mass-circulation "Apple Daily" said the Ma Ying-jeou administration's decision to accept foreign aid in the wake of Typhoon Morakot was evidence that the administration sees its relations with China outweighing its relations with the United States. Based on the fact that the Ma administration quickly welcomed aid from China and declined aid from the United States, the column asserts that there is a lack of enthusiasm in Taiwan's relations with the United States. A column in the KMT-leaning "China Times" commented on the latest interactions between North Korea and South Korea amid the funeral of former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung. The column said the North Korean delegation was there more than to just attend the funeral. The North Korean delegation was actually a special envoy sent by North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to deliver Kim Jong-il's messages to South Korea, the column claimed. Kim Jong-il's willingness to improve relations with South Korea is due to his concern about his relations with the United States. End summary. ¶2. U.S.-China-Taiwan Relations "New Strategic Choice" Columnist Antonio Chiang wrote in his column in the mass-circulation "Apple Daily" [circulation: 520,000] (8/25): "... [Taiwan President] Ma Ying-jeou endeavors to reach cross-Strait reconciliation. [Ma] purposely cold-shoulders [Taiwan's] relations with Japan. [Ma] maintains normal relations with the United States in a courteous manner. The same as before, [Ma] requests arms sales [from the United States]. Nevertheless, experts all know that there is no enthusiasm between Taiwan and the United States anymore except for the routine daily issues. There are changes in the relations between the United States and Taiwan. However, it is like entertainers who shift their love to different people but cannot make it public; otherwise they will lose [money at] the box office. The flooding [from Typhoon Morakot] revealed the changes in the triangular relations between the United States, China and Taiwan. It was the National Security Council (NSC) that decided to decline aid offered by the United States. The National Security Council [would not] dare to take the responsibility and passed off the responsibility to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). However, [National Security Council Secretary-General] Su Chi immediately welcomed the aid offered by China. In between the cold and warm, the Ma administration's strategic thinking is revealed, which is leaning toward China. However, fearing the pressure of public opinion, [the Ma administration] can only cover it up [its tilt towards China] and continue to crawl forward. "The United States sent military aircraft to Taiwan to help the rescue and relief efforts, which is a big gesture. Such a move was not something that could solely be guided by the United States Pacific Command. Just like China, [the United States] offered its aid in the name of humanitarianism. Nevertheless, due to the long-term confrontation across the Strait, there is insufficient mutual trust in diplomatic and military affairs. Taiwan's society still strongly opposes letting MiG aircraft land in Taiwan. Ma Ying-jeou's National Security Council has already made its new strategic choice, but it still let the United States military land in Taiwan much earlier than China's. Ma's team can only express its regret to Beijing privately. ..." ¶3. North Korea "North Korea's Condolence Delegation Is Actually the Special Envoy Delegation" The "International Lookout" column in the KMT-leaning "China Times" [circulation: 120,000] wrote (8/25): "... Why did [North Korean leader] Kim Jong-il have such a swift change in his attitude toward South Korea? This is absolutely related to North Korea's U.S. policy. It is either that the United States has persuaded North Korea to [improve] relations with South Korea, or North Korea wants to [improve] relations with South Korea in order to develop relations with the United States. In other words, the development in relations between North Korea and the United States' Obama administration has become the core of the North Korean nuclear issue. If South Korea fully supports the United States' position, the United States would not need to seek anyone's pardon for signing any agreement with North Korea. Regardless of Russia and Japan, even China can only accept [such a possibility]. However, the United States will not carry out [bilateral talks with North Korea] in the open. [The United States] will still want the cover provided by the six-party talks." WANG