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

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 000989 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/P, EAP/PD - THOMAS HAMM DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS Summary: On August 14, the Taiwan media spotlight remained focused on the damage caused by Typhoon Morakot and the on-going rescue efforts in southern Taiwan. In terms of editorials and commentaries, an op-ed in the pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times" expressed concern over the increasingly interdependent relations between the United States and China and the impact of such a development on Taiwan. The article said it is doubtful that U.S. President Barack Obama, "surrounded by China-leaning advisers," will have time to "digest Taiwan's complex problems." As a result, the article urged that Taiwan's views and concerns be presented to Obama as quickly as possible. End summary. "Risks of Obama Giving in to China" Li Thian-hok, a freelance commentator based in Pennsylvania, opined in the pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times" [circulation: 30,000] (8/14): "... In his June 4 speech in Cairo, Obama eloquently extolled the virtues of democracy, then followed with a caveat that 'there is no straight line to realize this promise ... Each action gives life to this principle (that governments should reflect the will of the people) in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people. America does not presume to know what is best for everyone.' This language sounds like the excuses made by many authoritarian regimes (see 'The abandonment of democracy,' by Joshua Muravchik, published in the July/August issue of the Commentary). The de-emphasis on promoting democracy, unfortunately, could also mean that the Obama administration may not place much value on Taiwan's democracy serving as a model for autocratic China. "Lastly, President Ma Ying-jeou's pro-unification policies give pro-China realists among the US policy establishment a convenient pretext for dropping support for Taiwanese freedom. There is even talk of a G2 cooperation, whereby Washington would cede control and management of East Asian affairs to Beijing, thus pushing China toward the path of military aggrandizement, unrestrained nationalism and, eventually, confrontation with the US. So what is the danger to Taiwan from the upcoming US-China summit? It is the possibility that Obama may privately cave in to Hu and shift the US policy goal dramatically from 'peaceful resolution' to 'peaceful unification.' Alternatively, Obama may even openly endorse a peace accord between Taiwan and China, an idea which both Beijing and Ma support. Either event would signify the cessation of US support for Taiwan and virtual abrogation of the Taiwan Relations Act. ... "Obama is surrounded by China-leaning advisers and it is doubtful he will have time to digest Taiwan's complex problems. His team consists mainly of realists who regard democracy and human rights as secondary considerations in conducting US diplomacy. So there are ample reasons to present the Taiwanese views and concerns to Obama, and to do so quickly. ... As was pointed out in the letter to Obama, the US is vulnerable to a seminal geostrategic disaster in East Asia. The US' national security and its democratic values both call for unwavering support of Taiwan's freedom by reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act, strengthening trade relations and military cooperation with Taiwan, and bolstering US naval and air presence in the Western Pacific, as mandated in the Act." WANG