Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09AITTAIPEI864
2009-07-17 09:39:00
UNCLASSIFIED
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-TAIWAN RELATIONS

Tags:  OPRC KMDR KPAO TW 
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VZCZCXYZ0006
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHIN #0864 1980939
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 170939Z JUL 09
FM AIT TAIPEI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1957
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 9289
RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 0722
UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 000864

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.-TAIWAN RELATIONS

Summary: On July 17, Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies gave
extensive coverage to the 2009 World Games, which began in Kaohsiung
the evening of the 16th. Straight news coverage also focused on
developments in cross-Strait relations and other local political
issues. In terms of editorials and commentaries, a column in the
centrist, KMT-leaning "China Times" discussed the recent riots that
broke out in China's Xinjiang region and independence activities in
Tibet, Xinjiang and Taiwan, respectively. The article said that
current U.S. policy insists on the maintenance of the status quo in
the Taiwan Strait, which is akin to supporting Taiwan's de facto
independence, and what is absent is nothing but a name and a form.
End summary.

"Taiwan Independence, Tibetan Independence, and Xinjiang
Independence"

Washington correspondent Norma Fu wrote in his column in the
centrist, KMT-leaning "China Times" [circulation: 120,000] (7/17):

"... The United States has always regarded Tibet as a country
independent of China, and as a result, Congress enacted a law
clearly indicating that Tibet is an occupied country.
The State Department also has an office with officials dealing
especially with Tibetan affairs. Both the Voice of America and
Radio Free Asia broadcast Tibetan-language programs, and in the
private sector, there is a 'Campaign for Tibet' organization
dedicated to lobbying and fund-raising for Tibet around-the-clock.
Well-known movie star Richard Gere is also a loyal worshiper of the
Dalai Lama. All these are something that Xinjiang has never
enjoyed. [Nonetheless,] it goes without saying that the nuclear
facilities set up by Beijing in Xinjiang and the U.S. listening
stations there, joined by the rich oil reserves in the area, have
forced the United States not to overlook the unrest in Xinjiang.

In addition to [activists for] Tibetan independence and Xinjiang
independence, there are [activists pushing for] Taiwan independence.
When compared [with the other activists], the Taiwan independence
activists are in the most favorable situation. They are free from
direct persecution by communist China and are not forced to live in
exile or homelessly all their lives like the activists for Tibetan
and Xinjiang independence do. The Taiwan independence activists can
return to Taiwan anytime they want and enjoy all the rights that the
people of Taiwan enjoy. ... As a matter of fact, Taiwan has been
practically independent over the past half century; namely, it has
enjoyed the state of de facto independence, as referred to in the
international law. What it does not have is merely de jure
independence.

"The current policy of the United States upholds the maintenance of
the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, which must not be altered by
[either side of the Strait]. Such a policy is tantamount to
supporting Taiwan's de facto independence, and what is absent is
nothing but a name and a form. In earlier years, the Taiwan people
were unable to call their own shots, and their yearning for
independence was thus understandable. But now Taiwan has had three
elected presidents; would it not run the risk of 'pushing the
envelope' if the island still embraces and calls for independence?"


WANG