VISIT OF REPRESENTATIVE PHIL GINGREY TO TAIWAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 TAIPEI 000973 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/11/2019 TAGS: CH CVIS ECON ETRD MARR MCAP OVIP PREL TW MASS SUBJECT: VISIT OF REPRESENTATIVE PHIL GINGREY TO TAIWAN REF: TAIPEI 00941 Classified By: The Acting Director for reasons 1.4(b/d) ¶1. (C) Summary. During the weather-shortened visit to Taiwan by Representative Phil Gingrey, Taiwan officials expressed appreciation for the U.S. and Congressional Taiwan Caucus role in ensuring peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and stressed the importance of continued arms sales and a U.S.-Taiwan Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to Taiwan's security and confidence as it works to reduce cross-Strait tensions. While Typhoon Morakot pre-empted meetings with the Minister of National Defense, Chief of the General Staff and a visit to Chiayi Air Force Base, the Congressman met with President Ma Ying-jeou (reftel),Legislative Yuan President Wang Jin-pyng and other senior Taiwan officials, opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chair Tsai and an American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei (AmCham) representative. End Summary. Cross-Strait Relations: Negotiate Through Strength -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) In their August 6 meeting, Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Chairwoman Lai Shin-yuan told Representative Gingrey that President Ma Ying-jeou's policy objective is the normalization of economic relations with the PRC. According to Lai, the majority of Taiwan's 23 million people want to maintain the political status quo. At the same time, Lai said, MAC-commissioned polls show they welcome the recent expansion of cross-Strait economic ties. Lai stated the liberalization of trade and investment with China benefits the people of Taiwan, and they therefore support the general direction of President Ma's policy of three nos: no independence, no unification, and no use of force. ¶3. (C) Congressman Gingrey asked whether Taiwan's purchase of additional U.S. weapons systems, specifically F-16 C/Ds, could set back cross-Strait relations. Lai responded that President Ma considers it absolutely vital to maintain Taiwan's defensive capability. According to Lai, Ma believes that only with a strong defensive capability can Taiwan safely pursue better relations with China. Lai opined that Beijing's objection to Taiwan purchasing advanced weapons systems would not derail the process of expanding cross-Strait dialogue and interaction. ¶4. (C) In response to the Congressman's question whether her support for President Ma's policy of three nos represented a change of attitude on Taiwan independence, Lai responded firmly that it did not. Lai said she personally has always believed that the people of Taiwan should, through Taiwan's democratic institutions, decide whether Taiwan should seek recognition of its de facto independence. She explained that, in her previous role as a legislator, she was obliged to support her party's position in favor of independence, but her personal views had not changed. Lai added that, after local election losses in 2006, the party softened its stance on independence. (Note: Lai was formerly with the Taiwan Solidarity Union established by former President Lee Teng-hui. Separately, Lai has told us that Lee still supports her role in the Ma administration. End Note.) Gratitude, Obligations and Internal Politics -------------- ¶5. (C) In a cordial August 6 lunch meeting, Legislative Yuan (LY) Speaker Wang Jin-pyng expressed gratitude for the long and continued support of the United States and the importance of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus in U.S.- Taiwan relations. Wang particularly noted the "loud message" the U.S. sent to the international community when it gave its support for Taiwan's inclusion in the World HEALTH Assembly as an observer, stating Taiwan will forever be grateful. Noting TAIPEI 00000973 002 OF 004 that Taiwan is the U.S.,s eleventh largest trading partner, the Speaker declared that an FTA, a Ma Administration priority, is important for continued bilateral economic relations and domestic growth. He also explained that the proposed Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) with China is part of Taiwan's plan to ensure it is not economically marginalized in the region. ¶6. (C) On security matters, Wang commented that Taiwan and the U.S. have mutual goals of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and a peaceful solution to the cross-Strait situation. To achieve these goals, the U.S. must adhere to the Taiwan Relations Act and supply Taiwan with needed military equipment to maintain Taiwan's ability to defend itself and resist PRC pressure. In response, Congressman Gingrey said U.S.-Taiwan friendship is built on mutual respect and genuine good feelings. He agreed with the need for an FTA and said United States is obliged by the TRA to provide F-16 C/Ds, to allow Taiwan to defend itself as it works to improve cross-Strait relations. ¶7. (C) Asked how he accommodated opposition views despite an overwhelming KMT majority, Wang said his duty as Speaker is to reach consensus among all the parties to pass legislation. In working with the DPP, he emphasized respect, noting that the DPP is a strong party with quality legislators who take their jobs seriously. Tolerance also is important, particularly since the DPP has many good policy ideas. Wang noted that Premier Liu Chao-shiuan supports this approach. Finally, Wang said, he strives to include the DPP in the policy formulation process. The DPP until recently was the ruling party, he noted, and thus often has more actionable policy suggestions than the KMT. Asked about his relations with President Ma, Wang said the weekly policy working group meeting he attends with Ma (and the Vice President, Premier and KMT chair) are a chance to freely discuss issues of importance. Although he and the President do not always agree, Wang said, they always have an open and frank debate. Health Care, Free Trade and Beef -------------- ¶8. (C) The Office of Trade Negotiations (OTN) Chief Negotiator and Vice Minister of Economic Affairs John Deng hosted a dinner in honor of the Congressman on August 6. During the dinner, Deng opined that USG preoccupation with health care reform appeared to be distracting attention from developing trade relations with Taiwan and other economic partners. AIT Economic Chief reiterated U.S. interest in a vibrant bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) agenda with Taiwan, but also noted the importance of resolving outstanding agricultural trade irritants. Deng also highlighted Taiwan's interest in expanding climate change cooperation with the United States. ¶9. (C) In a call on out-going Minister of HEALTH Yeh Ching-chuan, the discussion largely focused on HEALTH care delivery. Congressman Gingrey, a medical doctor by profession, offered his take on the Obama Administration's health care proposals and asked about Taiwan's system. Yeh gave a historical perspective of the development of Taiwan's National HEALTH Insurance system. Yeh noted his role in the development of this insurance scheme and offered his perspective on the merits of Taiwan's system especially its ability to keep administration costs low. Asked about the status of efforts to open Taiwan's market fully to U.S. beef exports, Yeh said the risk assessments are completed and DOH has already declared U.S. beef safe for consumption. Yeh said only a few minor details are still under discussion but did not disclose when an announcement on market access would take place. ¶10. (C) During an August 7 telephone briefing with the Congressman, an AmCham representative expressed concern that beef market access concerns appear to be delaying progress on AmCham,s TIFA priorities, especially a proposed bilateral investment agreement (BIA). The AmCham representative also TAIPEI 00000973 003 OF 004 answered the Congressman's questions about Taiwan's HEALTH care system as a reference for the current U.S. HEALTH care policy debate. The Congressman told AmCham that he tentatively plans to visit Taiwan again next spring. Strong U.S. Support Gives Taiwan Confidence -------------- ¶11. (C) With most of Taiwan shut down August 7, as Typhoon Morakot swept across the island, planned meetings with the Minister of National Defense, the Chairman of Taiwan's Joint Chiefs of Staff, and a visit to the Chiayi airbase in central Taiwan were canceled. Foreign Minister Ou Hong-lien braved the storm to exchange views on U.S.- Taiwan relations, cross-Strait ties and defense and security issues during a cordial, two-hour informal lunch. Ou thanked Gingrey for his visit and commented on the importance of Taiwan's relations with the United States, emphasizing that they give the Ma administration the confidence it needs to pursue rapprochement with the PRC. ¶12. (C) While acknowledging that military issues are not his purview, the Foreign Minister said these matters play an important role in Taiwan's overall diplomatic strategy. Specifically, he said, Taiwan's effort to acquire F-16 C/Ds to complement its existing fleet of F-16 A/Bs and replace its rapidly-aging F-5s is not only based on clear military need but also symbolizes Taipei's commitment to its own defense. Ou downplayed the chance that continued arms sales would affect warming cross-Strait ties, noting that the $6.4 billion package announced in October 2008 had no impact on relations and commenting that, for its part, China continues to increase it military capabilities and the number of missiles targeting Taiwan. Concerning this latter point, Ou remarked that Taiwan has made clear to the PRC that it cannot even begin discussions about ending the state of hostility between the two sides until Beijing removes these missiles. Gingrey commented that merely moving the missiles would not guarantee Taiwan's security since, unless the missiles are destroyed completely, they can quickly and easily be re-deployed. ¶13. (C) The Foreign Minister highlighted some of the benefits of the "diplomatic truce" between the two sides, including the breakthrough that allowed Taiwan to participate as an observer at this May's World HEALTH Assembly and the end of the costly struggle for diplomatic allies in the developing world. China's diplomatic strategy in this area is focused on securing its ties to resource-rich countries in Africa and elsewhere, giving Beijing little interest in wooing Taiwan's 23 remaining diplomatic partners, Ou said. Asked about Taiwan's relations with Venezuela, Ou noted that the recent decision to close Taiwan's representative office in Caracas neatly summarized Taipei's attitude towards Hugo Chavez. Opposition Politics -------------- ¶14. (C) Congressman Gingrey discussed party politics with DPP Chair Tsai Ing-wen but also engaged her on HEALTH care and defense issues. Asked to identify the key for the DPP to get back into the political game, Tsai said the party is focused on fielding competitive candidates in the December 5 local elections, 2010 local elections, and 2012 legislative and presidential elections. Making things tough for the DPP is an ongoing "political purge," Tsai asserted. The judiciary has investigated almost every top official in the previous DPP administration, claimed Tsai, adding that "we couldn't have all been corrupt." The party continues to tell its supporters to fight these legal battles and hire good lawyers and is even helping those who cannot afford to pay the fees. But supporters may soon get frustrated and may lose patience, Tsai cautioned, suggesting that supporters could take to the streets to protest. TAIPEI 00000973 004 OF 004 ¶15. (C) Tsai also shared the party's views on HEALTH care and defense. HEALTH care coverage is an issue for Taiwan just as it is for the United States, Tsai said, and the DPP tried to start building a social safety net in Taiwan while in power from 2000-2008. The DPP initiated allowances for the elderly and physically handicapped, but is divided on whether HEALTH care should be government funded or privatized. The need to improve Taiwan's defense capability is ONE issue the DPP would side with President Ma, explained DPP International Affairs Director Bikhim Hsiao. However, both she and Tsai found fault with Ma's effort to transform the military into an all-volunteer force. Tsai explained that a volunteer system is the most costly approach to maintaining a military force, as troops would be on salaries and personnel costs would take funds away from other defense needs, she said. Having less funds to improve defense capabilities is not good for Taiwan, which is under constant threat from China, added Hsiao. ¶16. (U) Representative Gingrey did not have an opportunity to clear this message. WANG