MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 000465 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD - NIDA EMMONS DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused April 15 news coverage on a New York Yankees' game with the Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday, in which the Yankees' Taiwan pitcher Wang Chien-ming suffered his worst setback with a 15-5 loss to the rival team; on developments in cross-Strait relations; on chaos in Thailand; and on the KMT's chairmanship elections this coming summer. In terms of editorials and commentaries, an op-ed in the pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times," written by former AIT chairman Nat Bellocchi, discussed U.S.-China-Taiwan relations. The article concluded by saying that "one wonders whether it is wise to tie Taiwan's economy to what is now a faltering export-driven economy in China" and "whether the US Congress might seek to restrict trade with its largest importer and perhaps work for some gains for Taiwan in terms of recognition in the international community." A separate "Taipei Times" editorial discussed Taiwan's possibly successful attempt to join the World Health Assembly as an observer this year. The article said that "Taiwan's participation at the health body would never be 'meaningful' if it became an instrument with which Beijing could make demands of the international community." End summary. A) "Changes in Taiwan, China, US Ties" Nat Bellocchi, former chairman of AIT and a special adviser to the Liberty Times Group, opined in the pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times" [circulation: 30,000] (4/15): "... Through the years, the TRA has helped maintain the 'status quo' in relations between Taiwan and China, as well as the US' relationship to both. However, it has done little to advance the cause of Taiwanese or their fight for a place in the world community. The TRA anniversary is a good time to reflect on the status of trilateral relations. ... During a visit to Taipei last month, American Institute in Taiwan Chairman Raymond Burghardt reiterated US support for Taiwan, but said that the level of cross-strait engagement should be decided by Taiwan and China. Washington will support Taiwan whenever it can in international bodies, he said, but would not mediate between the two sides. He added that military dialogue between Taiwan and the US would continue. With the administration of President Ma Ying-jeou favoring closer ties with China, relations between the US, China and Taiwan have changed. ... "The Ma government has stated repeatedly that signing an EFCA with China is vital to Taiwan's competitiveness in the world market and that failing to do so would result in Taiwan being marginalized when China and ASEAN forms a trade bloc next year. The government, however, overlooks the fact that China has tried in every way to block Taiwan's efforts to sign free-trade agreements with other countries. ... The ECFA issue in Taiwan is still not clear. Many Taiwanese are looking to the US - especially Congress - for support. ... However, one wonders whether it is wise to tie Taiwan's economy to what is now a faltering export-driven economy in China. Another question is whether the US Congress might seek to restrict trade with its largest importer and perhaps work for some gains for Taiwan in terms of recognition in the international community." B) "A Participant, Not a Beggar" The pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times" [circulation: 30,000] editorialized (4/14): "Based on a US State Department report leaked to this newspaper over the weekend and a report in the China Times yesterday, Taiwan may be on the brink of obtaining observer status at the World Health Assembly (WHA),the decision-making body of the WHO. After many years of unsuccessful attempts to join either the WHO or at least the WHA, the US' charm offensive on Taipei's behalf, combined with Beijing's ostensible flexibility of late, is cause for satisfaction, as Taiwan may finally have a voice at and benefit from the global health body, thereby filling a senseless gap in the global health network. As Taipei, Beijing, Washington and the WHO work on an agreement, one key element to keep an eye out for will be 'compromise' -- often a euphemism for political gains by Beijing. ... "One such compromise -- supported by the US, as the State Department report seems to indicate -- is the possibility that Taiwan's observer status at the WHA would be renewable on an annual basis. This would be a grave mistake, however, as it would put Beijing in a position to blackmail Taiwan and the US every time renewal is at hand. Each year, China could make demands of Taipei, Washington and the international community. To keep what it has, Taipei and its supporters would have to beg to China, while the latter could use the carrot of participation in the WHA to exert political influence. ... To prevent this potential subjugation from becoming reality, Taiwan's observer status at the WHA should be permanent and not subject to Beijing's whims. Given the right of Taiwanese to have representation at the global health organization, observer status should not be used to give Beijing any leverage over Taiwan. ... Taiwan's participation at the health body would never be 'meaningful' if it became an instrument with which Beijing could make demands of the international community. Condescending as the terminology is (who would want meaningless participation?),Taiwan's role at the WHA could amount to little more than self-harm if it were hostage to ulterior political motives." YOUNG