LEGISLATIVE SPEAKER WANG JIN-PYNG ON CROSS-STRAIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TAIPEI 000194 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL ETRD CH TW SUBJECT: LEGISLATIVE SPEAKER WANG JIN-PYNG ON CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS, POLITICS AND GPA Classified By: AIT Director Stephen M. Young, Reasons: 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) Summary. Legislative Yuan (LY) Speaker Wang Jin-pyng told the Director on February 18 that Taiwan will continue to take a cautious approach to cross-Strait relations, ensuring that its fundamental security and sovereignty are not threatened. While agreeing on the need for dialogue between President Ma and DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen, Wang thought it would be difficult for Ma to accept Tsai's invitation to attend the National Affairs Conference co-sponsored by the DPP and TSU on February 21-22. Wang suggested that Yilan and Taipei Counties would be the critical races for the KMT in the December local elections. Although he predicted LY approval of the WTO GPA, Wang noted there had been some opposing voices in reaction to "Buy American" provisions in the U.S. economic reinvestment and recovery package. End Summary. Cross Strait Relations -------------- ¶2. (C) The Director noted that the Secretary's trip to Asia demonstrates the importance of the region to U.S. foreign policy. In addition to discussion of other significant issues (e.g., Iran, North Korea),Beijing is likely to try to pressure the U.S. once again to end arms sales to Taiwan. He assured Wang that the longstanding U.S. policy on arms sales to Taiwan will not change. Wang suggested that no PRC leader would dare challenge the "one China" policy and the goal of unification with Taiwan. No matter how good cross-Strait relations become, Beijing will not change this policy. Recognizing this point, President Ma is moving cautiously with regards to cross-Strait relations, dealing with less sensitive economic and trade issues first. Wang said he had asked Ma to consider three points in dealing with Beijing: Will the actions harm Taiwan's sovereignty? Will the actions impair Taiwan's security? And, will the actions have a negative effect on the people's interest in Taiwan? Domestic Politics -------------- ¶3. (C) Wang indicated inter-party relations in the LY are all right now, but he was concerned about how DPP electioneering for the December local elections might affect inter-party dynamics. Wang mirrored the Director's concern about the lack of dialogue between President Ma and DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen, and he accepted the Director's suggestion that he try to use his good offices to initiate a dialogue between the two. According to Wang, Ma is willing to meet with Tsai but she is not interested. It would be hard for Ma to accept Tsai's invitation to the February 21-22 Citizen's Conference on National Affairs co-sponsored by the DPP and the Taiwan Solidarity Union, as there is no previously established relationship between the two leaders. Wang, who said he meets with Tsai on occasion to discuss various issues, believes she is burdened by former President Chen as she tries to shape the DPP into a forward-looking party. ¶4. (C) On the KMT internal coordination process, Wang described the weekly meeting of senior government and party officials. There are generally only five principals at these meetings, which take place on Monday. The five: President Ma, Vice President Siew, Speaker Wang, Premier Liu, and KMT Chairman Wu. On occasion, Presidential Office Secretary-General Chan is asked to attend, as well as other experts as necessary. Ostensibly chaired by Ma, there is no formal agenda to these meetings. Rather, participants discuss issues and reach decisions in an informal manner. Elections -------------- ¶5. (C) On the upcoming local elections in December, Wang considered the races in Yilan and Taipei Counties most TAIPEI 00000194 002 OF 002 critical for the KMT. According to Wang, former Premier Su Tseng-chang, though still undecided, will need to run and win big in Taipei County, if he wants to be the DPP presidential candidate in 2012. Wang was not confident on whether the KMT would be able to win in Tainan or Kaohsiung Counties. Most likely, Taichung City and County will merge next year, with incumbent Taichung Mayor Jason Hu (KMT) continuing in office for another year (and perhaps running in 2010 for mayor of the enlarged Taichung City). On the March 28 legislative by-election in Taipei's Da'an District, Wang acknowledged the candidate supported by the New Party might pull some votes from the KMT candidate, but nonetheless, the KMT candidate, who has a good 28-year record of public service, should have no trouble winning. The results of an upcoming legislative by-election in Miaoli County are harder to predict, as not all Blue voters are supporting the KMT nominee, Wang said. GPA --- ¶6. (C) The Director urged Wang to ensure the WTO Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) is passed by the LY this session. Wang note that some LY members have been raising opposing views, asking why Taiwan should pass the GPA when the U.S. is heading down a protectionist road with "Buy American" legislation. Predicting that the issue will be resolved in the LY, resulting in a win-win situation for both sides, Wang suggested the U.S. could help quiet dissenting voices in Taiwan by resolving the protectionist issue in Washington. SYOUNG