TAIWAN PRESIDENT MA ASKS NODEL BERKLEY TO SUPPORT

C O N F I D E N T I A L AIT TAIPEI 000182


STATE FOR EAP/TC, USDA FOR FAS/OSTA MACKE, LOWER,
USTR FOR STRATFORD AND ALTBACH
USDOC FOR 3132/USFCS/OIO/EAP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2009
TAGS: PREL PGOV CVIS ETRD ECON CH TW
SUBJECT: TAIWAN PRESIDENT MA ASKS NODEL BERKLEY TO SUPPORT
ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL AGENDA

REF: 08 TAIPEI 1588


Classified By: DEPUTY DIRECTOR ROBERT S. WANG FOR REASONS 1.4 B/D


1. (C) SUMMARY. During a February 15-20 Taiwan visit by
Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D-NEV),President Ma Ying-jeou
asked for her help in achieving a bilateral free trade
agreement (FTA),a bilateral extradition agreement, visa
waiver status for Taiwan travelers, and meaningful
participation in the WHO and other international
organizations. Berkley was in Taiwan as a guest of Fujen
University, marking the 30th anniversary of the Taiwan
Relations Act (TRA). As co-chair of the Congressional Taiwan
Caucus, and member of the Foreign Relations and Ways and
Means committees, Berkley promised to support Taiwan in its
endeavors, and showed particular interest in efforts to bring
gambling to the Penghu Islands.


MA THANKS BERKLEY FOR HER SUPPORT
--------------


2. (C) Ma welcomed Berkley to Taiwan, noting that this was
her second visit. President Ma reminded Berkley that 2009
marked the 30th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, a
ground-breaking piece of legislation which secured Taiwan's
position following the break in diplomatic relations with the
U.S. He thanked Berkley for her past support of Taiwan, and
asked for her support on a number of issues, including conclusion
of a bilateral free trade agreement, Taiwan participation in
the Visa Waiver Program, a bilateral extradition agreement,
and meaningful participation for Taiwan at the WHO and other
international organizations.

REDUCED TENSION ACROSS TAIWAN STRAIT
--------------


3. (C) Ma told Berkley that there are two flash points in
the region: the Korean Peninsula and the Taiwan Strait. Ma
said he has worked very hard to reduce cross-Strait tension
and this has resulted in Taiwan,s direct contact with the
World Health Organization (WHO),accession to the World Trade
Organization's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) and
also former Vice-president Lien Chan's attendance at the APEC
meeting in Lima. Ma emphasized that Taiwan's participation
in the WHO and World Health Assembly (WHA) would enhance
international cooperation in this area, and sought Berkley's
help in achieving that end. He said both the PRC and Taiwan
understood the concept of "One China-different
interpretations" and that he will not challenge that
principle while he is president. Ma claimed that this
concept had been confirmed between former President Bush and
PRC President Hu Jintao in a phone conversation. Ma also
stated he was not unhappy that Taiwan may not rank high on
Secretary of State Clinton's agenda, and he prefers to keep a
low profile while working to foster peace and prosperity in
the area.

PENGHU ISLANDS GAMBLING PROPOSAL
--------------


4. (C) Congresswoman Berkley told Ma that House Speaker
Nancy Pelosi supported her trip to Taiwan, and she will
report to Pelosi upon returning to the U.S. (Note: Berkley is
here at the invitation of Fujen University to mark the 30th
anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act.) As a former
gambling executive in Las Vegas, Berkley also remarked
favorably on Taiwan's plans to open a casino in the Penghu
Islands, an economically backward area in the Taiwan Strait.
Berkley visited Penghu briefly during her stay in Taiwan. Ma
told her he had considered making Penghu a gambling area in
1996, after witnessing the success of such an effort in Niagara
Falls. He said that more than 60 percent of the people in
Penghu support the idea, and they will hold a referendum soon
to decide on this issue.

FTA, BEEF AND EXTRADITION
--------------


5. (C) Ma reiterated his call for a bilateral FTA, and said
he had experts researching the U.S. beef imports issue.
Berkley said that only one FTA passed last year, and there
was much anticipation as to how the Obama administration
would pursue new requests for FTAs. Ma then indicated the
need for a bilateral extradition agreement to quickly bring
criminals to justice. He underscored an urgent need for such
an agreement, citing the example of an American wanted for
child molestation recently found hiding in Taiwan and many
Taiwan financial criminals who have recently fled to the U.S.


VISA WAIVER FOR TAIWAN TRAVELERS
--------------


6. (C) Ma said obtaining a visa waiver for Taiwan travelers
to the U.S. was important for tourism, asserting that since
Japan had given a visa waiver to Taiwan travelers, both
destinations have seen an upsurge in tourism. Taiwan
tourists now constitute one sixth of all tourists in Japan,
and Japanese tourists one quarter of foreign tourists in
Taiwan. Ma also noted that the UK recently granted a visa
waiver to Taiwan travelers. Berkley told Ma she will use her
position on the House Foreign Affairs Committee to support
Ma,s efforts. In conclusion, Berkley told Ma that to
celebrate the 30th anniversary of the TRA, she will introduce
a resolution in the House to honor the event. Ma affirmed
that the TRA was a revolutionary document securing Taiwan's
future following the U.S-Taiwan break in relations.


SYOUNG