MEDIA REACTION: U.S. BEEF IMPORTS

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 000013 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/P, EAP/PD - THOMAS HAMM DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S. BEEF IMPORTS ¶1. Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused news coverage January 1-4 on the New Year celebrations; on the controversy over the U.S. beef issue and the discussions in the Legislative Yuan over amendments to the law concerning U.S. beef imports; and on cross-Strait relations. ¶2. Many editorials and commentaries continued to focus on the controversy over U.S. beef imports. A column and two op-ed pieces in the pro-independence "Liberty Times" continued to lambast the Ma administration for opening Taiwan to imports of U.S. beef and beef products. One op-ed said a referendum on U.S. beef imports will be the only way that the Ma administration can resolve the controversy. An editorial in the mass-circulation "Apple Daily" said the U.S. beef issue must not be turned into a tool to be used by the Ma administration, the U.S. government or the arms dealers to intimidate the Taiwan people, as the consequences will be unfavorable for both Taiwan and the United States. Editorials in the English-language "Taipei Times," "China Post," and "Taiwan News" all discussed the U.S. beef issue and said no one is winner in the "beef war." End summary. A) "Dreading China and Fearing the United States? Taiwan Has Become an Insignificant Person to Blame" Washington correspondent Nadia Tsao wrote in the "Focus Commentary" column in the pro-independence "Liberty Times" [circulation: 680,000] (1/1): "... There are psychological and political factors behind Taiwan's opposition to expanded imports of U.S. beef, yet the United States' disappointment and anger [toward Taiwan's moves to bar the import of certain U.S. beef products] are also reasonable and understandable. But Taiwan officials' threatening [remarks] citing the visa-waiver program, talks over the Free Trade Agreement and arms sales as possible U.S. retaliatory means are nothing but foolish interpretations lacking common sense in diplomacy. ... President Ma Ying-jeou said not long ago that U.S.-Taiwan relations are in their best state over the past six decades. How come a [simple] beef dispute would turn Washington into some country like crazy Pyongyang? It is true that Taiwan's failure to adhere to the [U.S.-Taiwan beef] deal will damage the bilateral relationship, particularly that with those U.S. congressmen who represent the agriculturally-oriented states and are friendly with Taiwan. Taiwan needs to communicate with the United States in an attempt to uncover solutions that are acceptable for both sides. But the Ma administration should stop 'bragging' when handling foreign relations and should stick to the facts. U.S.-Taiwan relations have always been complicated, so disputes and differences are unavoidable. Conflicts provide the [best] moments for both sides to test the strength of their relations and [their] crisis management ability." B) "Ma Must No Longer Remain Stubborn over the Referendum on U.S. Beef [Imports]" Bill Chang, a consultative member in the Taiwan Thinktank, opined in the pro-independence "Liberty Times" [circulation: 680,000] (1/2): "... As it stands now, [holding] a referendum [on U.S. beef imports] will be the only way that the Ma administration can resolve the issue and explain its position to the United States. If the referendum is passed against the import of U.S. beef, no one can say anything against it, and President Ma does not have to carry the burden of being a party chairman unable to command the party's legislators. Even if the United States decides to retaliate against Taiwan over the referendum results, the responsibility will not fall on President Ma, because it is a popular vote. With such an approach, perhaps it will be easier to convince Washington and alleviate the pressure from the United States. ... If the referendum fails to pass, it will give the Legislative Yuan room to modify its resolution. Now it all depends on whether President Ma has the guts to hold the referendum." C) "U.S. Beef Issue Exposes Fragility of Taiwan-U.S. Relations" Liu Shih-chung, now a Visiting Fellow at the U.S.-based Brookings Institution, opined in the pro-independence "Liberty Times" [circulation 680,000] (1/3): "The seemingly improved Taiwan-U.S. relations since the Ma Ying-jeou administration assumed office have [changed to the extent that] they may possibly endanger the progress on other issues that both sides have been working on. [This is] due to the Ma administration's lack of transparency during the policy-making process in opening Taiwan's market to U.S. beef, offal and ground beef and its sending the wrong message to Washington. ...What [National Security Council Secretary-General] Su Chi failed to explain clearly to the Obama administration was Ma's declining approval rate in Taiwan and the Taiwan people's impatience with the Ma administration's black-box [policy-making] operation model. Over the past few months, the dilemma facing the Ma administration since Typhoon Morakot, the legislative by-election in Yunlin County, the KMT's defeat in the December three-in-one local elections, and a series of subtle changes in Taiwan's politics have all added [up] to have a critical impact on the decision to allow the import of U.S. beef. ... "The Taiwan people want to ask the Ma administration: In contrast to the ups and downs in Taiwan-U.S. relations under the previous DPP administration, which twice announced the opening to imports of U.S. beef (with beef offal and ground beef excluded),how come the Ma administration, which brags that Taiwan-U.S. relations have never been better, was unable to stick to the bottom line like the DPP administration and, further, abandoned the defense of beef offal and ground beef? The idea that the U.S. beef issue is just a single accident, which will not affect the progress of other issues Taiwan and the United States have been working on, underestimates the fragility of Taiwan-U.S. relations. The Ma administration, since it assumed office, has been doing all it can to curry favor with Washington, and, as a result, it naturally deserves more immediate policy returns in exchange. But the fact is just the opposite -- Taiwan lost even more bargaining chips and strength. "The Pentagon's and National Security Council's proposed reports on arms sales to Taiwan originally sat on Obama's desk, but the sudden changes in the U.S. beef issue would surely result in the U.S. trade agencies making proposals to the White House, which are unfavorable for Taiwan. Perhaps the State Department is now mapping out its retaliation list against Taiwan, and the gifts of arms deals for the Ma administration, which were originally planned to be offered before the Lunar New Year, will likely be halted; key figures in the trade agencies, who originally planned to visit Taiwan, will likely cancel [their trips.] Ma should be ready to offer a good explanation to the United States when he transits the West Coast of the United States at the end of January." D) "Who Is Intimidating Taiwan?" The mass-circulation "Apple Daily" [circulation: 520,000] editorialized (1/4): "... There are plenty of tools in the U.S. diplomatic toolbox, which Washington can easily grab to deal with Taiwan, such as adjustments in high-level visits, treatment for the Taiwan president when transiting the United States, the decision over whether to help Taiwan participate in international organizations where statehood is not a requirement, including Taiwan in the trade dumping list, stopping or slowing down the Taiwan-U.S. Trade and Investment Framework talks. It doesn't even have to get to the security level. But if Washington treats Taiwan as a target for threatening and retaliation, such as stopping its arms sales to Taiwan, or keeping a hands-off attitude toward the 'Taiwan Relations Act (TRA),' or gradually push for the abolishment of the TRA, this will not only harm the bilateral interests of Taiwan and the United States in East Asia but will also incite Taiwan's nationalism to the extent of pushing the island to declare independence or [seek] unification with China out of desperation. ... None of these will serve the United States' interests. As a result, the U.S. beef issue must not turn into a tool used by the Ma administration, the U.S. administration or the arms dealers to intimidate the Taiwan people, as the consequences will be unfavorable for both Taiwan and the United States." E) "Beef Spat Mustn't Harm US Relations" The pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times" [circulation: 30,000] editorialized (1/4): "The controversy over imports of US beef is a typical example of a storm in a tea cup. Thanks to the government's neglect of public opinion, inability to implement party discipline and persuade the legislature, what was originally one of many items on the US-Taiwan trade talk agenda has created a backlash and prompted a strongly worded US statement warning Taiwan not to break the agreement. US-Taiwan tensions have now developed into a full-blown political storm. Taiwan still hasn't made a final decision on the issue, nor has the US decided how to respond, but the administration of President Ma Ying-jeou has made several guesses at what the US measures might be. These include delaying a bilateral trade and investment framework agreement, delaying an arms deal and suspending talks about visa exemptions for Republic of China citizens. The situation has caused the government to fear changes to the Taiwan-US strategic relationship. "Although the legislature is planning to amend the Act Governing Food Sanitation to ban the importation of US beef innards and ground beef, this only makes up a small part of US beef imports. It will have a minor impact on import volumes and value, but could help improve public acceptance of US beef, which is a lot better than possible boycotts and stagnant sales because of quality concerns and consumer fears. The US government should take a hard look at what is the better alternative for US beef farmers. ... The beef controversy must not be allowed to affect the US-Taiwan alliance and Washington should consider the wisdom of pushing Taiwan, an important strategic bargaining chip for the US, closer toward a China that is about to become a great power." F) "Beef Debacle Is Ma's Opportunity" The pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times" [circulation: 30,000] editorialized (1/1): "...The US has now issued a strong response. Failure to resolve the issue might have an impact on - Taiwan-US trade and economic ties, visa exemptions for Taiwanese and possibly, in some way, more serious concerns such as defense. The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) may hold three-quarters of all legislative seats, but the outcome of legislative negotiations has resulted in stronger controls on US beef imports, overturning the original protocol. This is tantamount to rebellion and means the legislature is drawing a line in the sand, while also dealing Su a sucker punch. However, President Ma Ying-jeou will suffer most - with the situation spinning out of control, his authority as a leader will be dealt a severe blow. Ma pays a great deal of attention to his image and stresses the importance of communication and compromise, but shows a glaring lack of skill in both. ... "The US beef issue has resulted in a huge political hiccup, but Su's highhanded manner is causing widespread discontent, even within the blue camp. When the government gave the green light to US beef imports, Minister of Health Yaung Chih-liang almost resigned. The legislature was not informed in advance, was not consulted during negotiations, and after the signing, was required to support the decision. Neither the opposition nor the pan-blue camp was willing to endorse the protocol and once the public protested, they went on the attack. Had the NSC conducted a comprehensive assessment prior to its decision, it would have produced a report to persuade the public and legislature and allay concerns. The decision to fully relax restrictions on US beef imports was not based on an expert assessment, which highlights the NSC's incompetence. The controversy is a longstanding one and if Su was not aware of its seriousness, then he was negligent. ... The government's weak response to Typhoon Morakot was a wake-up call for Ma after his presidential election victory, while the KMT setback in recent local elections created a sense of urgency. This is the chance Ma needs to carry out wide-scale party reform. The legislature has moved against the beef protocol and Ma has lost face at home and abroad. The only way for him to turn things around is to learn his lessons. Otherwise, cross-strait talks on an economic pact with China will prove to be another disaster." G) "Everybody Is a Loser in the 'Beef War'" The conservative, pro-unification, English-language "China Post" [circulation: 30,000] editorialized (1/1): "Lawmakers are getting ready to vote on and pass an amendment to the Food Sanitation Act next Tuesday to ban ground beef and bovine offal imports from the United States. But that isn't going to end the beef war across the Pacific, and everybody loses in the fight over the issue which shouldn't be an issue in the first place. ... The government is the biggest loser in the ongoing war. President Ma Ying-jeou is sending a delegation to Washington to mend fences after the U.S. government expressed deep concern over the expected passage of the amendment to the act. ... The warning is being heeded, of course. But the damage has been done. There is no way to prevent the railroading of the amendment albeit Ma's Kuomintang (KMT) controls a virtual three-fourths majority in the Legislative Yuan. The Americans are losing the beef war because they started it at the wrong time. Negotiations for the protocol had gone on for two years and there was no reason whatsoever for Washington not to wait another month or so to conclude it with Taipei after Taiwan's all-important local elections were over. The opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP),champing at the bit to win the elections on Dec. 5 in order to prove it is beginning to claw back to power, jumped at the godsend opportunity to turn a non-issue into an issue of "life or death" of the people, about whose well-being they claim the KMT government simply cares less. It's a non-issue because by far the great majority of people in Taiwan do not eat beef and they do not care whether bovine products are imported or not from anywhere in the world. Younger people take to hamburgers, but they can choose those made from ground beef imported from countries other than the U.S. The protocol does not compel the government to force the beef-lovers to consume American steaks. The fence-mending isn't likely to work. The administration is bracing for retaliation after it failed to avert the crisis by convincing the doubtful people that U.S. ground beef and offal are safe to eat. ... Ma's loss is just as serious. ... The people of Taiwan also lose. They appear as unreasonable supporters of narrow-minded political agitators who are accusing the U.S. of attempting to bully Taiwan into buying unwanted beef products. Their image as friends of the U.S. is tarnished. Once tarnished, it's very hard to burnish. If trade between Taiwan and the U.S. dwindles as a result of the beef war, all the people of Taiwan will equally suffer the consequence. And the chief culprit is the legislative branch of the government. Lawmakers have sacrificed Taiwan's credibility as a trustworthy trading partner the world over by flexing their muscles to get even with what they believe is the clumsy but arrogant administration. What price their demonstration of power!" H) "U.S. Should Understand Taiwan's Beef Stand" The pro-independence, English-language "Taiwan News" [circulation: 20,000] editorialized (1/4): "United States government officials have expressed exasperation over why Taiwan's Legislative Yuan may revise the Food Sanitation Act Tuesday to ban imports of U.S. ground beef, offals or even beef in bone. Senior officials of President Ma Ying-jeou's right-wing Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) government have publically speculated that U.S. President Barack Obama's Democratic Party administration will retaliate against Taiwan's alleged 'unilateral abrogation' of the protocol signed Oct. 22 by Taiwan Economic and Culture Representative Office and American Institute in Taiwan to reopen imports of these risky US beef through delaying talks on a long-expected U.S.-Taiwan Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) or even by further delays in defensive arms sales. Such ill-disguised threats aim to blur the truth that this fiasco has been caused solely by the hubris and incompetence of President Ma Ying-jeou's right-wing Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) and its refusal to respect Taiwan's democratic values of transparency and accountability in the negotiation of this secret pact. ... "Nevertheless, the U.S. government should react to the Legislative Yuan's action cautiously based on mutual respect for democratic procedures. Washington should refrain from pretending that the BSE concerns are a 'false issue' or using the TIFA talks or defensive arms sales to pressure the Taiwan legislature to accept a secret protocol, whose full content remains unknown even to KMT lawmakers. Instead, the Obama administration should convene an inter-agency meeting to consider methods to resolve the flap, preferably through renegotiation with the Taiwan government in a manner consistent with democratic procedures. For its part, the Ma administration should work to prevent any broader impact on other aspects of U.S.-Taiwan relations. "Ma has publically claimed that his efforts to forge peace and dialogue with the PRC regime has also led to the 'best U.S.-Taiwan relations for the past 60 years.' If this is the case, Ma's KMT administration should have accumulated enough political capital to persuade Washington not to make any unfriendly gestures toward Taiwan and to renegotiate the pact. We strongly urge the Ma government to stand upright in talks with U.S. counterparts and refrain from repeating the mistake of carrying out such talks behind the backs of Taiwan lawmakers and citizens and instead publically affirm his commitment to reflect Taiwan's pluralist views in new beef import talks. Most importantly, Ma should demonstrate his sincerity to correct his mistakes by requiring Su to resign to take full political responsibility. ... What Taiwan needs now is a national security advisor who respects Taiwan's democratic values and principles." STANTON