AIT CHAIRMAN BURGHARDT'S MARCH 16 MEETING WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TAIPEI 000308

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON CH TW
SUBJECT: AIT CHAIRMAN BURGHARDT'S MARCH 16 MEETING WITH
TAIWAN LY PRESIDENT WANG JIN-PYNG

Classified By: AIT Acting Director Robert S. Wang for reasons: 1.4 (b)
and (d)

Summary
--------------


1. (C) In a March 16 meeting with Legislative Yuan (LY)
President Wang Jin-pyng, AIT Chairman Raymond Burghardt
underscored U.S. security commitments to Taiwan and urged
prompt legislative approval of Taiwan's WTO GPA accession.
Wang expressed appreciation for continued U.S. support for
Taiwan's defense needs. Despite legislators' concerns over
"buy American" provisions of the U.S. stimulus package, Wang
said, the legislature should approve Taiwan's GPA accession
soon. Against a backdrop of warming cross-Strait ties, Wang
expressed frustration that the Ma Administration is skirting
requirements to present cross-Strait agreements to the LY for
debate and consideration prior to signing. End Summary.

U.S. Committed to Taiwan Relationship
--------------


2. (C) Chairman Burghardt opened the meeting by expressing
the good will of the incoming Obama administration and
emphasizing that Deputy Secretary Steinberg and Deputy
National Security Advisor Donilon had asked him to convey the
Obama Administration's commitment to further strengthening
all aspects of the U.S.-Taiwan relationship. During her
recent trip to Asia, he noted, Secretary Clinton reaffirmed
publicly Asia's importance to the United States and, in her
meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang, privately
stressed the U.S. belief that arms sales to Taiwan contribute
to cross-Strait stability. Wang voiced his appreciation for
continued U.S. support and noted what a special experience it
was for him to attend the Obama inauguration in January.

Cross-Strait Talks and Domestic Politics
--------------


3. (C) In response to a question on the status of
cross-Strait talks, Wang noted that the then-President Chen
Shui-bian designated him to negotiate with China on the three
links (air and sea travel, and postal links),financial
supervision and investments and student exchanges. These
negotiations were complete but, because Beijing did not want
Chen to benefit from the agreements and because the KMT
feared supporting them would hurt then-candidate Ma
Ying-jeou,s presidential election chances, the accords were
never signed, Wang said. Thus, Wang asserted, the work he
did at the time allowed Ma to conclude and sign the pacts
soon after assuming power. However, he complained, the
administration did not properly present the agreements to the
LY for debate, as stipulated by law. As a result, average
people do not feel their voices have been heard. This is
why, Wang said, he is insisting the proposed Economic
Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) be presented to the LY.

ECFA and Cross-Strait Politics
--------------


4. (C) Asked what Taiwan wants from an ECFA, Wang said he
saw ECFA as an economic and investment framework to allow
Taipei and Beijing to work together outside of the WTO
structure. This would alleviate Beijing's concerns that
using the WTO framework would give the appearance of a
state-to-state relationship. Wang stressed, however, that
regardless what Chinese leaders say or how nice they are to
Taiwan, their common goal is unification. Therefore, Taiwan
must be conscious of the impact of cross-Strait talks on its
sovereignty.

Defense Needs
--------------


5. (C) Noting media reports of Wang's statement that the U.S.
has decided not to sell F-16 C/Ds to Taiwan, the Chairman
stressed the Obama administration will review all of Taiwan's
defensive needs and had ruled nothing out. The Speaker did
not respond directly, noting only that Taiwan's security
needs came up in President Ma's recent Monday policy lunch
with Vice President Siew, Premier Liu, and KMT Chair Wu and
himself and saying Taiwan hopes the U.S. will look favorably
on requests for additional equipment.

TAIPEI 00000308 002 OF 002



GPA
---


6. (C) The Chairman urged prompt legislative approval of
Taiwan's accession to the WTO,s Government Procurement
Agreement (GPA),noting that with its passage, Taiwan will be
sheltered from the "buy American" provisions of the U.S.
stimulus package. Wang pointed out that the "buy American"
provision was holding up legislative action on the GPA but
said he expected the issue to be worked out shortly.

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


7. (U) Wang was accompanied by LY Secretariat Officer Yao
(translator). Chairman Burghardt was accompanied by the
Deputy Director, EAP/TC Director Ted Mann, AIT PolOff Angelo
Chang (notetaker).


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