CHAIRMAN BURGHARDT AND DPP CHAIR TSAI DISCUSS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TAIPEI 000304

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL CH TW
SUBJECT: CHAIRMAN BURGHARDT AND DPP CHAIR TSAI DISCUSS
CROSS-STRAIT POLICY AND UPCOMING ELECTIONS

REF: 08 TAIPEI 1564

Classified By: AIT Acting Director Robert S. Wang,
Reasons: 1.4 (b/d)


1. (C) Summary: AIT Chairman Burghardt told DPP Chair Tsai
Ing-wen on March 18 that the United States is pleased with
President Ma Ying-jeou's efforts to improve cross-Strait
ties. Tsai cautioned that DPP supporters are dissatisfied,
believing Ma is moving too quickly and in a non-transparent
way on cross-Strait ties. Consequently, domestic political
tension is increasing. Tsai expressed some frustration that
people outside Taiwan do not seem to understand the DPP point
of view. On upcoming election campaigns, Tsai acknowledged
there was good possibilty former DPP Premier Su Tseng-chang
might run in the crucial December contest for Taipei County
magistrate, but explained that the party was in no hurry to
name its candidate. Tsai plans to visit Washington in May as
part of her party fundraising efforts. End Summary.

Tsai Criticizes Ma's Cross-Strait Policy
--------------


2. (C) AIT Chairman Ray Burghardt explained to DPP Chair Tsai
Ing-wen on March 18 that he was visiting Taiwan to convey to
President Ma and others that the Obama administration is
pleased with the improvement in cross-Strait relations. Tsai
responded that DPP supporters are "very uncomfortable"
because they believe Ma is forging ties with China too fast
and without any transparency. Burghardt questioned the DPP
criticisms of Ma's initiatives, noting that the cross-Strait
agreements signed last November (reftel) were conceived
during President Chen Shui-bian's administration. DPP
Special Advisor Bikhim Hsiao said the party's supporters are
wondering what type of concessions Ma may have made to
Beijing to get the agreements inked. Tsai added that the DPP
and its legislators have repeatedly asked the Ma
administration for information on what kinds of meetings are
being conducted with China and what is being discussed at
those meetings. However, these questions have gone
unanswered.


3. (C) Burghardt pointed out that we regard the resumption of
cross-Strait dialogue and stability in Taiwan as good for the
United States. Tsai argued that Ma has not explained why he
is in such a rush to deepen ties with China. To bolster her
claim that people do not trust the Ma administration, Tsai
cited a March 11 TVBS (pro-Blue) poll that found 44 percent
of respondents did not deem the Ma administration capable of
representing Taiwan people's interests in negotiations with
China and 43 percent believed Ma was too sympathetic to
China. According to Tsai, the high level of discomfort and
anxiety experienced by the people would further divide
society and increase tension in Taiwan and this in turn would
harm U.S. longterm interests.


4. (C) Tsai criticized Ma for saying that Taiwan "must" sign
an Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) with China
without providing a clear definition of the terms. Tsai said
she would be more comfortable with the agreement if Ma
secured Beijing's guarantee that it would not prevent Taiwan
from signing free trade agreements with other countries.


5. (C) When the Director mentioned the idea of a dialogue
between Tsai and Ma, Tsai quickly responded that there was
"no point" in exchanging views with the President. DPP
supporters do not trust Ma nor does she trust how he might
spin a closed-door meeting, Tsai said, adding that Ma has
ignored her offer to have a public debate. For now, the most
effective way to communicate with Ma is to take to the
streets, Tsai maintained.

Nominations Under Control But Need to Raise Money
-------------- --------------


6. (C) Tsai stressed the first priority in her work as party
chair was to raise funds for DPP campaigns in the run-up to
the December 5 city and county elections. She noted that
this is an arduous task given the economic downturn and the

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ongoing corruption cases involving Chen Shui-bian. As part
of the fundraising effort, Tsai plans to travel to Washington
DC in early May.


7. (C) Explaining that the DPP was in "no hurry" to announce
its candidate for the Taipei County magistrate election in
December, Tsai did acknowledge there was a "good possibility"
the nod would go to former Premier Su Tseng-chang. Tsai
insisted the party would make its own decisions on the
December nominations and not "bother with the noises."
(Comment: Tsai apparently was referring to the situation in
Tainan County, where three people are competing for the DPP
nomination. One potential candidate, former Presidential
Office Secretary General Mark Chen, claimed this week that
the DPP "would not be so stupid as to not appoint" him as the
candidate.)


8. (C) Turning to the March 28 legislative by-election in
Taipei's Da'an district, Tsai acknowledged that DPP candidate
Chou Po-ya "does not stand a good chance." Da'an is the
"deepest Blue" area in all of Taiwan, she explained.

Participants
--------------


9. (U) Participants in the meeting were Chair Tsai, Bikhim
Hsiao, a DPP notetaker, Chairman Burghardt, Director Young,
EAP/TC Director Ted Mann, and AIT Poloffs Darlene Liao and
Deanna Kim.


10. (U) Chairman Burghardt did not have an opportunity to
clear this message.
YOUNG