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

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 000613 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; U.S.'S NATIONAL SECURITY ¶1. Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused news coverage May 20 on President Ma Ying-jeou's one-year anniversary in office; on Taiwan's first participation in the World Health Assembly in 38 years; and on a Taiwan expedition team's attempt to climb to the summit of Mt. Everest. With respect to editorials and commentaries, on President Ma Ying-jeou's first anniversary in office, a column in the mass-circulation "Apple Daily" said it is mainly Beijing's implicit support and help to Ma that allows Ma to enjoy high popularity at this juncture. The column said that Taiwan, as well as the United States and Japan, do not really have a choice when they deal with China, because it is a "must" to be close to China in the consideration of international realities. Another column in "Apple Daily" commented on United States former Vice President Dick Cheney, who has been making quite a few public appearances recently criticizing the Obama Administration's policies. The column said that, in the end, the Obama Administration's national security policies are not much difference from those of the former Bush Administration. End summary. ¶2. "Beijing's Implicit Help to Ma Ying-jeou" Columnist Antonio Chiang wrote in his column in the mass-circulation "Apple Daily" [circulation: 520,000] (5/20): "... It is not against the law to be close to China, the same as being close to the United States, which is one of the strategic choices. In the new international order, [United States President Barack] Obama is preparing to establish a strategic partnership with China. Japan has a strategic ambivalence toward China. However, under the pressure of objective circumstances, [Japan] also engages with China positively. Basically, both the United States and Japan hold the position that Taiwan's status is undetermined, although [both countries] express the position in different ways. Nevertheless, [both countries] are busy enough with their own affairs. Taiwan must face alone the challenges that China poses. In a real sense, Taiwan basically does not have any choice. ..." ¶3. "A Noisy Former Vice President" Apple Daily Publisher James Tu wrote in his column in the mass-circulation "Apple Daily" [circulation: 520,000] (5/20): "... Interestingly, while [United States President Barack] Obama criticizes the [former] Bush Administration, he actually is implementing many of the [former] Bush Administration's policies as well. The [former] Bush Administration is criticized for being a secretive government. However, Obama also spares no effort when protecting the country's secrets. [Former United States President George W.] Bush's war in Iraq has not seen an overall reverse because of Obama's election. The United States will continue its military presence in Iraq, and the number of the troops is even going to be larger than Obama's initial projection. The United States' new government is more flexible in its Iraq policy. ... [T]he position held during Obama's campaign is more and more difficult to maintain. "Now Afghanistan has become Obama's war. However, regarding views on Afghanistan, it is not as if Obama has nothing in common with Bush or Cheney. Bush, during that period of time, was worried that Pakistan's nuclear weapons would fall into the hands of the terrorists, while Obama is no different. [United States] Secretary of Defense [Robert Gates] appointed [Lieutenant General] Stanley McChrystal as the new United States Commander in Afghanistan. McChrystal is a [former] commander of the special forces [in Iraq and Afghanistan] for almost eight years, reporting directly to Cheney, and was specialized in clandestinely hunting down and killing the highest-ranking terrorists. A high-ranking officer who was so close to Cheney is now entrusted with heavy responsibilities by Obama. Such a development shows that Obama's Afghanistan strategy is difficult to distinguish from that of Bush and Cheney. ..." YOUNG