MEDIA REACTION: U.S. ARMS SALES TO TAIWAN

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 001231 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. ARMS SALES TO TAIWAN Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused news coverage October 15 on developments in cross-Strait relations, and the year-end city mayors' and country magistrates' elections in Taiwan. In terms of editorials and commentaries, an op-ed in the mass-circulation "Apple Daily" discussed the U.S. National Defense Authorization Bill, which was recently passed by the U.S. Congress, and U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. The article said the fact that U.S. President Barack Obama has yet to express his stance on U.S. arms sales to Taiwan indicates that Obama still has doubts about the development of cross-Strait relations. End summary. "Obama Being a Drag on Ma Ying-jeou" Professor Emerson Chang, Director of Nan Hua University's Department of International Studies, opined in the mass-circulation "Apple Daily" [circulation: 520,000] (10/15): "A joint congressional session of the U.S. Congress recently passed the finalized version of the '2010 National Defense Authorization Bill,' in which Article No. 1226, which has been approved separately by the Senate and the House three months ago, was removed -- a rare move indeed. This article is related to strengthening Taiwan's air force, and its sudden deletion not only will cast a shadow over Taiwan-U.S. relations but will also generate a profound impact on the security in East Asia. ... This provision was removed while a final version [of the bill] was being discussed at the joint congressional session, and [the bill] was passed by Congress and will take effect soon with the approval of the U.S. president. This development must be a result of the strategic and diplomatic maneuvering of the White House. During the 'U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue' in late July, [U.S. President Barack] Obama emphasized that he had great hopes for Sino-U.S. cooperation on financial, trade, environmental protection, health, military, anti-terrorism and non-nuclear proliferation issues. During his planned trip to Asia in November, Obama will visit China for the first time. In order to create a good ambiance for Sino-U.S. cooperation, [we have also seen] similar moves [from the United States] such as postponing the sale of three weapons systems to Taiwan (the submarine design, general purpose helicopters, and two sets of PAC III missiles),refusing to meet with the Dalai Lama, and stopping the Congress from pushing for arms sales to Taiwan. ... "... It has been nearly a year since Obama took over the helm, but the procrastination [over U.S.] arms sales [to Taiwan] has become a normal state. Along with stalled Taiwan-U.S. relations, it appears that the United States is re-evaluating and re-defining its interests in East Asia. Obama's move to stop the Congress from taking action [to push for U.S. arms sales to Taiwan] was not simply an action based on his personal considerations -- namely, to prevent the room for his strategic planning as a president from being restricted; instead, it has something to do with China's rise and the United States' need to work with China on certain international issues. Nonetheless, how the Ma administration has been sizing up and adjusting its relations with the United States and with China also played a critical role. ... The fact that Obama has yet to express his stance on U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and his move to stop the Congress from doing so indicates that there are still doubts on Obama's side regarding cross-Strait relations and the importance of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. Washington's doubts will likely increase rather than decrease if the Ma administration chooses to downplay the issue." STANTON