Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TAIPEI1308
2009-11-05 22:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Cable title:
FORMER PRESIDENT LEE TENG-HUI ON BEEF,
VZCZCXRO0491 OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC DE RUEHIN #1308 3092217 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 052217Z NOV 09 FM AIT TAIPEI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2634 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHHMUNA/USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L TAIPEI 001308
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/05/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL TW
SUBJECT: FORMER PRESIDENT LEE TENG-HUI ON BEEF,
DISPPOINTMENT IN MA AND TAIWAN POLITICS
REF: TAIPEI 1303
Classified By: AIT Director Bill Stanton for reasons 1.4 (b/d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TAIPEI 001308
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/05/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL TW
SUBJECT: FORMER PRESIDENT LEE TENG-HUI ON BEEF,
DISPPOINTMENT IN MA AND TAIWAN POLITICS
REF: TAIPEI 1303
Classified By: AIT Director Bill Stanton for reasons 1.4 (b/d)
1. (C) Summary: During a November 4 introductory meeting
with the Director, former President Lee Teng-hui mainly
attributed the current impasse on U.S. beef imports to the
Kuomintang (KMT) administration's failure to inform Taiwan's
people of its plans. The public needed to be assured that
the imported beef would be safe to consume but the
administration had not clearly detailed how it would
guarantee such safety. Lee criticized President Ma
Ying-jeou's leadership and expressed disappointment with the
overall current state of Taiwan politics, including the
behavior of Chen Shui-bian, but did not offer a clear way to
improve the situation. End summary.
Lee Dissects Where Ma Went Wrong on U.S. Beef
--------------
2. (C) Former President Lee Teng-hui shared his views on the
current impasse on Taiwan's plans to import U.S. beef
(reftel) with the Director during their November 4
introductory meeting. Lee maintained it was very important
to safeguard people's health and it would be fine to import
U.S. beef products as long as they did not pose health risks.
The political uproar over beef was primarily due to the fact
that the KMT administration failed to make its position clear
to the people. It did not provide details on how it would
ensure that such imports would be safe to consume. Instead,
its actions and words confused the public.
Dishes Out Criticism of Ma
--------------
3. (C) The handling of the beef issue showcased problems
with President Ma Ying-jeou's administration and leadership,
Lee asserted. The administration continued to operate in
secrecy, feeling no need to report its actions to others.
Lee also criticized Ma as a leader, noting that he was "very
clean" (of corruption),but stating that he lacked ability.
One of Ma's downfalls was that he was out of touch with the
Taiwan people. Lee emphasized the need for Ma and his
administration to speak to the people and clearly detail and
explain their actions and repeatedly asked the Director to
convey this advice to Ma.
And on the DPP
--------------
4. (C) Lee's disappointment in Taiwan politics was not
limited to the KMT and Ma but also included the opposition
Democratic Progressive Party. Lee briefly singled out former
President Chen Shui-bian's corruption problems. When asked
how Taiwan could improve its political situation, Lee said
that the constitution should be amended but did not provide
further details.
Comment
--------------
5. (C) The 86-year old Lee clearly remains interested in
Taiwan politics but is on the sidelines, as evidenced by him
imploring the Director to pass advice to Ma. During the
hour-plus meeting with the Director, the friendly Lee spent
considerable time recalling Taiwan's political history. Lee
keeps healthy by golfing twice a week and managing his
diabetes with daily insulin shots and, according to him, not
always listening to his doctor's recommendations.
STANTON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/05/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL TW
SUBJECT: FORMER PRESIDENT LEE TENG-HUI ON BEEF,
DISPPOINTMENT IN MA AND TAIWAN POLITICS
REF: TAIPEI 1303
Classified By: AIT Director Bill Stanton for reasons 1.4 (b/d)
1. (C) Summary: During a November 4 introductory meeting
with the Director, former President Lee Teng-hui mainly
attributed the current impasse on U.S. beef imports to the
Kuomintang (KMT) administration's failure to inform Taiwan's
people of its plans. The public needed to be assured that
the imported beef would be safe to consume but the
administration had not clearly detailed how it would
guarantee such safety. Lee criticized President Ma
Ying-jeou's leadership and expressed disappointment with the
overall current state of Taiwan politics, including the
behavior of Chen Shui-bian, but did not offer a clear way to
improve the situation. End summary.
Lee Dissects Where Ma Went Wrong on U.S. Beef
--------------
2. (C) Former President Lee Teng-hui shared his views on the
current impasse on Taiwan's plans to import U.S. beef
(reftel) with the Director during their November 4
introductory meeting. Lee maintained it was very important
to safeguard people's health and it would be fine to import
U.S. beef products as long as they did not pose health risks.
The political uproar over beef was primarily due to the fact
that the KMT administration failed to make its position clear
to the people. It did not provide details on how it would
ensure that such imports would be safe to consume. Instead,
its actions and words confused the public.
Dishes Out Criticism of Ma
--------------
3. (C) The handling of the beef issue showcased problems
with President Ma Ying-jeou's administration and leadership,
Lee asserted. The administration continued to operate in
secrecy, feeling no need to report its actions to others.
Lee also criticized Ma as a leader, noting that he was "very
clean" (of corruption),but stating that he lacked ability.
One of Ma's downfalls was that he was out of touch with the
Taiwan people. Lee emphasized the need for Ma and his
administration to speak to the people and clearly detail and
explain their actions and repeatedly asked the Director to
convey this advice to Ma.
And on the DPP
--------------
4. (C) Lee's disappointment in Taiwan politics was not
limited to the KMT and Ma but also included the opposition
Democratic Progressive Party. Lee briefly singled out former
President Chen Shui-bian's corruption problems. When asked
how Taiwan could improve its political situation, Lee said
that the constitution should be amended but did not provide
further details.
Comment
--------------
5. (C) The 86-year old Lee clearly remains interested in
Taiwan politics but is on the sidelines, as evidenced by him
imploring the Director to pass advice to Ma. During the
hour-plus meeting with the Director, the friendly Lee spent
considerable time recalling Taiwan's political history. Lee
keeps healthy by golfing twice a week and managing his
diabetes with daily insulin shots and, according to him, not
always listening to his doctor's recommendations.
STANTON