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

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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