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

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 000745 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/P, 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, IRAN ¶1. Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused June 20-22 news coverage on Tropical Storm Linfa's brush past Taiwan, local economic problems, and on the development of cross-Strait relations. ¶2. Among editorials and commentary, an editorial in the mass-circulation "Apple Daily" urged President Ma Ying-jeou not to implement a pro-China policy unilaterally at the expense of Taiwan's relations with the United States, Japan and European countries. Otherwise, Taiwan will fall into China's hands and become a dependency of China, the editorial warned. A column in the centrist, KMT-leaning "China Times" cast doubts on the effect of the first-ever BRIC summit, which just concluded, on the global financial system, because of the divergent interests among Brazil, Russia, India and China. For example, the reason that China refused to endorse Russia's idea of developing new reserve currencies to challenge the dominance of the U.S. dollar was because China has great common interests with the United States and does not want to challenge the United States. Another editorial in the pro-independence, English-language "Taiwan News" urged the opposition DPP to bolster dialogue with the United States, including setting up a office in Washington, so as to let different voices in Taiwan be heard in the United States. Regarding the current unrest in Iran, an editorial in the conservative, pro-unification, English-language "China Post" urged the United States to open dialogue with Iran after Iran's post-election unrest settled. The editorial also reminded Taiwan that while maintaining a close economic and trade relationship with Iran, Taiwan should not export any sensitive technologies to Iran that could violate the international embargo against Iran led by the United States. End summary. ¶3. U.S.-China-Taiwan Relations A) "Ma Ying-jeou's Dangerous Unilateralism" The mass-circulation "Apple Daily" [circulation: 520,000] editorialized (6/22): "... As a result, Taiwan, instead of excessively depending on China now, must simultaneously establish a multilateral equilibrium, through building diverse, extensive and constructive relationships, including in non-governmental sectors, with the United States, Japan and the European Union. The current Taiwan-style of 'unilateralism,' which only leans toward China and estranges the United States and Japan, or passively maintains relations with the United States and Japan, is extremely stupid and dangerous. President Ma Ying-jeou must reverse the situation, so as to avoid becoming a dependency of China before it is too late." B) "China Does Not Want to Use BRIC to Pound on the U.S." "The so-called developed countries, especially the United States, all felt relieved after the 'BRIC' summit that 'Eh! [The BRIC summit] was only so-so.' ... "Although China mentioned the issue of global currency reserves before the 'G20' London summit, it declined, however, to treat this BRIC summit as a meeting to confront the United States. It is because far greater common interests exist between China's economic rise and the United States. Although China is not a 'G8' country member, China is the major beneficiary of the current international economic order, and also the largest creditor of -- as well as exporter to -- the United States. Furthermore, as far as geopolitical and international 'strategic thinking' is concerned, it is not appropriate for [China] to use 'BRIC' to pound on the United States. Such a position [for China] is far different from that of Russia. How could China be willing to let the [BRIC] meeting become a tool of Russia to earn the right to speak and contend with the United States?" C) "DPP Must Bolster Dialogue with U.S." The pro-independence, English-language "Taiwan News" [circulation: 20,000] editorialized (6/22): "... The urgency of the DPP's re-entry into diplomacy is demonstrated by the very fact that the new Democratic administration under President Barack Obama favors the 'cross-strait reconciliation' approach adopted by the Ma government toward the Chinese Communist Party-ruled PRC, evidently unaware of the negative impact of the KMT-CCP rapprochement on Taiwan's internal democracy and human rights, Taiwan's substantive independence and on the hopes for democratic transitions in China and elsewhere in the world. ... "First, the DPP must put serious effort into identifying authoritative channels for communications and messages and should also engage in honest discussion with its American counterparts across the political spectrum regarding both the U.S. views on core or controversial issues and honestly and effectively express its own views and reflect the long-term concerns of the Taiwan people. Moreover, the DPP needs to realize that prior and full consultation about mutual interests and priorities is essential to sustaining mutual trust and to appreciate that allowing Washington to understand major steps or statements that Taiwan leaders are about to make does not constitute a disgrace to the dignity of our leaders. ... "More concretely, the DPP's first priority should be the restoration of frequent and high-profile contact between [DPP Chairperson] Tsai [Ing-wen] and other DPP leaders and the U.S. Democratic administration, Congress and opinion leaders. "No less urgent is re-establishment of a high-profile office in Washington, D.C. to serve as a hub and a listening post to build connections among present and future U.S. policy makers and serious policy thinkers and as a channel to train DPP staffers and talented activists and thereby build up the ranks of DPP staffers who can thoroughly and comfortably elaborate the party's policies and perspectives in foreign languages." ¶4. Iran "Protest Sparking Curiosity about Iran" The conservative, pro-unification, English-language "China Post" [circulation: 30,000] editorialized (6/21): "... After the present unrest subsides, Iran should go ahead with plans to open a representative office in Taipei and expand its unofficial ties with Taiwan. The R.O.C. should make sure not to export any sensitive or dual-use technologies that could violate the U.S.-led embargo against Iran or assist Iran with its ambitions to become a nuclear power. ... "Like most other governments, Taipei would like to see a dialogue opened between Iran and the United States that would ultimately lead to a normalization of Iran-U.S. relations. U.S. President Barack Obama has opened the door to opening such a dialogue by agreeing to talk to Iran, but Washington's plans have been put on hold by the unexpected domestic turmoil in Iran. After the turmoil subsides, Tehran and Washington should proceed with opening that dialogue so that 30 years of animosity can finally be laid to rest. While the U.S. and Iran will surely continue to disagree on many important issues, the two countries should cooperate to stabilize the situation in Iraq so that tensions in the region can subside." YOUNG