Cable Viewer

Currently released so far... 25416 / 251,287

### Articles

Brazil Sri Lanka United Kingdom Sweden 00. Editorial United States Latin America Egypt Jordan Yemen Thailand

### Browse latest releases

2010/11 2010/12 2011/01 2011/02 2011/03 2011/04 2011/05 2011/06 2011/07 2011/08
2010/11/28 2010/11/29 2010/11/30
2010/12/01 2010/12/02 2010/12/03 2010/12/04 2010/12/05 2010/12/06 2010/12/07 2010/12/08 2010/12/09 2010/12/10 2010/12/11 2010/12/12 2010/12/13 2010/12/14 2010/12/15 2010/12/16 2010/12/17 2010/12/18 2010/12/19 2010/12/20 2010/12/21 2010/12/22 2010/12/23 2010/12/24 2010/12/25 2010/12/26 2010/12/27 2010/12/28 2010/12/29 2010/12/30
2011/01/01 2011/01/02 2011/01/04 2011/01/05 2011/01/07 2011/01/09 2011/01/11 2011/01/12 2011/01/13 2011/01/14 2011/01/15 2011/01/16 2011/01/17 2011/01/18 2011/01/19 2011/01/20 2011/01/21 2011/01/22 2011/01/23 2011/01/24 2011/01/25 2011/01/26 2011/01/27 2011/01/28 2011/01/29 2011/01/30 2011/01/31
2011/02/01 2011/02/02 2011/02/03 2011/02/04 2011/02/05 2011/02/06 2011/02/07 2011/02/08 2011/02/09 2011/02/10 2011/02/11 2011/02/12 2011/02/13 2011/02/14 2011/02/15 2011/02/16 2011/02/17 2011/02/18 2011/02/19 2011/02/20 2011/02/21 2011/02/22 2011/02/23 2011/02/24 2011/02/25 2011/02/26 2011/02/27 2011/02/28
2011/03/01 2011/03/02 2011/03/03 2011/03/04 2011/03/05 2011/03/06 2011/03/07 2011/03/08 2011/03/09 2011/03/10 2011/03/11 2011/03/13 2011/03/14 2011/03/15 2011/03/16 2011/03/17 2011/03/18 2011/03/19 2011/03/20 2011/03/21 2011/03/22 2011/03/23 2011/03/24 2011/03/25 2011/03/26 2011/03/27 2011/03/28 2011/03/29 2011/03/30 2011/03/31
2011/04/01 2011/04/02 2011/04/03 2011/04/04 2011/04/05 2011/04/06 2011/04/07 2011/04/08 2011/04/09 2011/04/10 2011/04/11 2011/04/12 2011/04/13 2011/04/14 2011/04/15 2011/04/16 2011/04/17 2011/04/18 2011/04/19 2011/04/20 2011/04/21 2011/04/22 2011/04/23 2011/04/24 2011/04/25 2011/04/26 2011/04/27 2011/04/28 2011/04/29 2011/04/30
2011/05/01 2011/05/02 2011/05/03 2011/05/04 2011/05/05 2011/05/06 2011/05/07 2011/05/08 2011/05/09 2011/05/10 2011/05/11 2011/05/12 2011/05/13 2011/05/14 2011/05/15 2011/05/16 2011/05/17 2011/05/18 2011/05/19 2011/05/20 2011/05/21 2011/05/22 2011/05/23 2011/05/24 2011/05/25 2011/05/26 2011/05/27 2011/05/28 2011/05/29 2011/05/30 2011/05/31
2011/06/01 2011/06/02 2011/06/03 2011/06/04 2011/06/05 2011/06/06 2011/06/07 2011/06/08 2011/06/09 2011/06/10 2011/06/11 2011/06/12 2011/06/13 2011/06/14 2011/06/15 2011/06/16 2011/06/17 2011/06/18 2011/06/19 2011/06/20 2011/06/21 2011/06/22 2011/06/23 2011/06/24 2011/06/25 2011/06/26 2011/06/27 2011/06/28 2011/06/29 2011/06/30
2011/07/01 2011/07/02 2011/07/04 2011/07/05 2011/07/06 2011/07/07 2011/07/08 2011/07/10 2011/07/11 2011/07/12 2011/07/13 2011/07/14 2011/07/15 2011/07/16 2011/07/17 2011/07/18 2011/07/19 2011/07/20 2011/07/21 2011/07/22 2011/07/23 2011/07/25 2011/07/27 2011/07/28 2011/07/29 2011/07/31
2011/08/01 2011/08/02 2011/08/03 2011/08/05 2011/08/06 2011/08/07 2011/08/08 2011/08/09 2011/08/10 2011/08/11 2011/08/12 2011/08/13 2011/08/15 2011/08/16 2011/08/17 2011/08/18 2011/08/19 2011/08/21 2011/08/22 2011/08/23

### Browse by creation date

66 72 73 75 79 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10
1966/12
1972/02 1972/08
1973/04
1975/03
1979/08
1985/03 1985/05 1985/06
1986/05 1986/08 1986/12
1987/06
1988/01 1988/03 1988/04 1988/07 1988/08 1988/09 1988/12
1989/01 1989/06 1989/12
1990/01 1990/07 1990/08 1990/10
1991/05 1991/06 1991/07 1991/11
1992/01 1992/03 1992/06 1992/09 1992/11 1992/12
1993/01 1993/02 1993/04 1993/10 1993/12
1994/05 1994/11 1994/12
1995/01 1995/04 1995/06 1995/11
1996/07 1996/08 1996/09 1996/11
1997/02 1997/03 1997/05 1997/06 1997/08 1997/10 1997/11 1997/12
1998/05 1998/12
1999/01 1999/09 1999/12
2000/04 2000/05 2000/06 2000/09 2000/11 2000/12
2001/02 2001/03 2001/04 2001/05 2001/06 2001/07 2001/09 2001/10 2001/11 2001/12
2002/01 2002/02 2002/03 2002/04 2002/06 2002/07 2002/08 2002/09 2002/11 2002/12
2003/01 2003/02 2003/03 2003/04 2003/05 2003/06 2003/07 2003/08 2003/09 2003/10 2003/11 2003/12
2004/01 2004/02 2004/03 2004/04 2004/05 2004/06 2004/07 2004/08 2004/09 2004/10 2004/11 2004/12
2005/01 2005/02 2005/03 2005/04 2005/05 2005/06 2005/07 2005/08 2005/09 2005/10 2005/11 2005/12
2006/01 2006/02 2006/03 2006/04 2006/05 2006/06 2006/07 2006/08 2006/09 2006/10 2006/11 2006/12
2007/01 2007/02 2007/03 2007/04 2007/05 2007/06 2007/07 2007/08 2007/09 2007/10 2007/11 2007/12
2008/01 2008/02 2008/03 2008/04 2008/05 2008/06 2008/07 2008/08 2008/09 2008/10 2008/11 2008/12
2009/01 2009/02 2009/03 2009/04 2009/05 2009/06 2009/07 2009/08 2009/09 2009/10 2009/11 2009/12
2010/01 2010/02

### Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Embassy Athens Embassy Asuncion Embassy Astana Embassy Asmara Embassy Ashgabat Embassy Apia Embassy Ankara Embassy Amman Embassy Algiers Embassy Addis Ababa Embassy Accra Embassy Abuja Embassy Abu Dhabi Embassy Abidjan Consulate Auckland Consulate Amsterdam Consulate Alexandria Consulate Adana American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura Embassy Buenos Aires Embassy Budapest Embassy Bucharest Embassy Brussels Embassy Bridgetown Embassy Bratislava Embassy Brasilia Embassy Bogota Embassy Bishkek Embassy Bern Embassy Berlin Embassy Belmopan Embassy Belgrade Embassy Beirut Embassy Beijing Embassy Banjul Embassy Bangkok Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan Embassy Bamako Embassy Baku Embassy Baghdad Consulate Belfast Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen Embassy Conakry Embassy Colombo Embassy Chisinau Embassy Caracas Embassy Canberra Embassy Cairo Consulate Curacao Consulate Ciudad Juarez Consulate Chiang Mai Consulate Chennai Consulate Chengdu Consulate Casablanca Consulate Cape Town Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe Embassy Dublin Embassy Doha Embassy Djibouti Embassy Dili Embassy Dhaka Embassy Dar Es Salaam Embassy Damascus Embassy Dakar Consulate Dubai Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Freetown Consulate Fukuoka
Embassy Guatemala Embassy Gaborone Consulate Guayaquil Consulate Guangzhou Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki Embassy Harare Embassy Hanoi Consulate Hong Kong Consulate Ho Chi Minh City Consulate Hermosillo Consulate Hamilton Consulate Hamburg Consulate Halifax
Iran RPO Dubai Embassy Islamabad Consulate Izmir Consulate Istanbul
Embassy Jakarta Consulate Jerusalem Consulate Jeddah
Embassy Kyiv Embassy Kuwait Embassy Kuala Lumpur Embassy Kinshasa Embassy Kingston Embassy Kigali Embassy Khartoum Embassy Kathmandu Embassy Kampala Embassy Kabul Consulate Kolkata Consulate Karachi
Embassy Luxembourg Embassy Luanda Embassy London Embassy Ljubljana Embassy Lisbon Embassy Lima Embassy Lilongwe Embassy Libreville Embassy La Paz Consulate Lahore Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE Mission USNATO Mission UNESCO Mission Geneva Embassy Muscat Embassy Moscow Embassy Montevideo Embassy Monrovia Embassy Minsk Embassy Mexico Embassy Mbabane Embassy Maseru Embassy Maputo Embassy Manila Embassy Manama Embassy Managua Embassy Malabo Embassy Madrid Consulate Munich Consulate Mumbai Consulate Montreal Consulate Monterrey Consulate Milan Consulate Melbourne Consulate Matamoros
Embassy Nouakchott Embassy Nicosia Embassy Niamey Embassy New Delhi Embassy Ndjamena Embassy Nassau Embassy Nairobi Consulate Nuevo Laredo Consulate Naples Consulate Naha Consulate Nagoya
Embassy Ouagadougou Embassy Ottawa Embassy Oslo
Embassy Pristina Embassy Pretoria Embassy Prague Embassy Port Of Spain Embassy Port Louis Embassy Port Au Prince Embassy Phnom Penh Embassy Paris Embassy Paramaribo Embassy Panama Consulate Peshawar
Embassy Quito Consulate Quebec
REO Basrah Embassy Rome Embassy Riyadh Embassy Riga Embassy Reykjavik Embassy Rangoon Embassy Rabat Consulate Rio De Janeiro Consulate Recife
Secretary of State Embassy Suva Embassy Stockholm Embassy Sofia Embassy Skopje Embassy Singapore Embassy Seoul Embassy Sarajevo Embassy Santo Domingo Embassy Santiago Embassy Sanaa Embassy San Salvador Embassy San Jose Consulate Strasbourg Consulate St Petersburg Consulate Shenyang Consulate Shanghai Consulate Sapporo Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis Embassy Tripoli Embassy Tokyo Embassy The Hague Embassy Tel Aviv Embassy Tehran Embassy Tegucigalpa Embassy Tbilisi Embassy Tashkent Embassy Tallinn Consulate Toronto Consulate Tijuana Consulate Thessaloniki
USUN New York USEU Brussels US Office Almaty US Mission Geneva US Interests Section Havana US Delegation, Secretary UNVIE UN Rome Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius Embassy Vientiane Embassy Vienna Embassy Vatican Embassy Valletta Consulate Vladivostok Consulate Vancouver
Embassy Windhoek Embassy Wellington Embassy Warsaw
Embassy Yerevan Embassy Yaounde
Embassy Zagreb

### Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ASEC AEMR AMGT AR APECO AU AORC AJ AF AFIN AS AM ABLD AFFAIRS AMB APER AA AE ADM ACOA AID ASEAN AMED AORG APEC AY AL AGOA ATRN AG ALOW AND ADB ABUD ASPA ADPM ADANA AFSI ARABL ADCO AFSN ACABQ AO ANARCHISTS AZ ANET AMEDCASCKFLO AADP AGRICULTURE AINT ARR ARF AINF APRC AFSA AX AINR AODE APCS AROC AGAO ASUP AIT ARCH AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL AMEX ARM AQ ATFN AMBASSADOR ARAS ACBAQ AC AOPR AREP ASIG ASEX ASCE AER AGR AVERY ASCH AEMRS AFU AMG ATPDEA ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG AORL AN AGMT ACS AMCHAMS AECL AUC AFGHANISTAN ACAO
BR BB BG BEXP BY BA BRUSSELS BU BD BK BL BE BMGT BO BTIO BX BC BH BM BN BAIO BUSH BRPA BILAT BF BOEHNER BOL BIDEN BP BURNS BBG BBSR BT BWC BEXPC BTIU
CPAS CA CASC CS CBW CIDA CO CODEL CI CROS CU CH CWC CMGT CVIS CDG CG CF CHIEF CJAN CBSA CE CY CB CW CM CHR CD CT CTERR CVR CDC CN CONS CR CAMBODIA CACS COUNTRY CFIS CONDOLEEZZA CEN CZ CLEARANCE CARICOM COM CICTE CYPRUS CITES CV CBE CMGMT COE CIVS CFED COUNTER CAPC COPUOS CARSON CTR CKGR CLINTON COUNTERTERRORISM CITEL CQ CSW CIC CITT CARIB CAFTA CACM CDB CJUS CTM CAN CAJC CONSULAR CLMT CBC CIA CNARC CIS CEUDA CHINA CAC CL
DR DJ DB DA DHS DAO DCM DO DEFENSE DK DOMESTIC DISENGAGEMENT DAC DOD DCG DE DOT DPRK DEPT DEA DOE DTRA DS DEAX
ECON ETTC EFIS ETRD EC EMIN EAGR EAID EFIN EUN ECIN EG EWWT EINV ENRG ELAB EPET EN EAIR EUMEM ECPS ES ELTN EIND EZ EU EI ER ET EINT ENGR ECONOMIC ENIV EFTA ESTH EET EUREM ENV EAG EAP ECONOMY ELECTIONS ETRO ECIP EPEC EXIM ERNG ENERG ED EREL ELAM EK EDEV ENGY ETRDEC ECCT EPA ENGRD ECLAC ETRAD ENVR ELTNSNAR ELAP ETRC EPIT EDUC EFI EEB EETC EIVN ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS ETRDGK ENVI EXTERNAL ELN EAIDS ECOSOC EDU EPREL EINVEFIN EAGER ECA ETMIN EIDN EINVKSCA EFINECONCS ETC EINN EXBS ECONOMICS EIAR EINDETRD ECONEFIN EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EFIM EINVETC ECONCS EDRC ENRD EBRD ETRA ESA EAIG EUR EUC ERD ETRN EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ESENV ENNP ECINECONCS ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN
FR FI FOREIGN FAO FARM FARC FAS FJ FREEDOM FINANCE FBI FTAA FM FCS FAA FTA FK FT FAC FDA FINR FOR FOI FO FMLN FISO
GM GERARD GT GA GG GR GTIP GE GH GY GB GJ GLOBAL GEORGE GCC GC GV GAZA GL GOV GOI GF GTMO GANGS GAERC GZ GUILLERMO GASPAR
HR HA HYMPSK HO HK HUMAN HU HN HHS HUD HUMANR HSTC HURI HILLARY HI HUM HEBRON HUMOR
IZ IN IAEA IS IMO ILO IR IC IT ITU IV IMF IBRD IWC IPR IDB ID IRAQI ISRAELI ITALY ITPGOV ITALIAN IADB ICAO ICRC INR ICJ ICCAT IFAD IO ITRA INL IAHRC IRAQ INMARSAT INRA INTELSAT INTERNAL ILC IRS INDO IIP IND IEFIN IQ ISCON ICTY IA INTERPOL IEA INRB ISRAEL IZPREL IRAJ IF ITPHUM IL IACI IDA ISLAMISTS IGAD ITF INRO IBET IDP ICTR IRC
JA JO JM JP JOHN JUS JN JAMES JOSEPH JOHNNIE JML JIMENEZ
KMDR KPAO KOMC KNNP KFLO KDEM KSUM KIPR KFLU KE KCRM KJUS KAWC KZ KSCA KDRG KCOR KGHG KPAL KTIP KMCA KCRS KPKO KOLY KRVC KVPR KG KWBG KTER KS KN KSPR KWMN KV KTFN KFRD KSTH KISL KGIC KSEP KFIN KTEX KTIA KUNR KCMR KMOC KCIP KTDB KBIO KSAF KU KHIV KNNNP KSTC KNUP KIRF KIRC KNUC KHLS KTDD KMPI KIDE KMFO KSEO KJUST KPIR KIVP KICC KCFE KSCS KGLB KPWR KCUL KPOP KPALAOIS KR KTTB KCOM KESS KWN KCSY KREL KTBT KRFD KFLOA KPOL KIND KBCT KSKN KOCI KHUM KPRP KREC KICCPUR KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KGIT KMCC KPRV KAUST KPAS KPAOPREL KIRP KLAB KHSA KPAONZ KICA KCRIM KHDP KNAR KSAC KCRCM KINR KGHA KIIP KPAOY KTRD KTAO KWAC KACT KSCI KNPP KMRS KNNPMNUC KBTS KERG KLTN KTLA KNDP KO KAWK KVRP KPOA KVIR KENV KAID KX KRCM KFSC KCFC KNEI KCHG KPLS KFTFN KTFM KLIG KDEMAF KRIM KRAD KBTR KGCC KPA KSEC KPIN KDEV KWWMN KOM KWNM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KRGY KIFR KWMNCS KFPC KPAK KOMS KDDG KCGC KPAI KID KMIG KNSD KWMM
LY LE LABOR LH LAB LTTE LT LO LI LU LA LVPR LG LR LOG
MARR MX MASS MOPS MNUC MCAP MTCRE MRCRE MTRE MASC MY MK MCC MO MAS MG MC MCA MZ MI MIL MU MR MT MTCR ML MN MURRAY MEPP MP MINUSTAH MA MD MAR MAPP MOPPS MTS MLS MILI MEPN MEPI MEETINGS MERCOSUR MW MIK MAPS MV MILITARY MARAD MDC MACEDONIA MASSMNUC MUCN MEDIA MQADHAFI MPOS MPS
NZ NATO NI NO NU NG NL NPT NS NSF NP NA NANCY NRR NATIONAL NASA NC NDP NIH NIPP NK NSSP NEGROPONTE NGO NAS NE NATOIRAQ NR NAR NZUS NARC NCCC NH NSG NAFTA NEW NT NUIN NOVO NATOPREL NEA NSC NV NPA NSFO NW NORAD NPG NOAA
OPRC OTRA OECD OVIP OREP ODC OIIP OPDC OAS OSCE OPIC OMS OEXC OPCW OIE OSCI OFDP OPAD ODPC OCEA ODIP OMIG OM OFFICIALS OEXP OPEC OVIPPRELUNGANU OSHA OSIC OHUM OTR OSAC OBSP OFDA OVP ON OCII OES OCS OIC
PGOV PREL PARM PINR PHUM PM PREF PTER PK PINS PBIO PHSA PE PBTS PA PL POL PAK POV POLITICS POLICY PKO PNAT PELOSI PP PRE PUNE PALESTINIAN PAS PO PROV PH PLAB PCI PERM PETR PRELBR PETERS PROP PBS POLITICAL PMIL PJUS PG PREZ PGIC PAO PRELPK PGOVENRG PATTY PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PAIGH PROG PMAR PU PTE PDOV PGOVSOCI PY PETER PGOR PBTSRU PRAM PARMS PINL PSI PPA PTERE PREO PERL PGOF PINO PRGOV PORG PS PGVO PKFK PSOE PEPR PDEM PINT PRELP PREFA PNG PTBS PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA POLINT PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PLN PHUH PEDRO PF PHUS PARTIES PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PHUMPREL POGOV PEL PBT PINF PRL PSEPC POSTS PAHO PHUMPGOV PGOC PNR
QA QI
RS RP RU RW RFE RCMP RIGHTSPOLMIL RO ROBERT RM ROOD RICE REGION RGY RELFREE RELAM RSP RF RELATIONS RIGHTS RUPREL REMON RPEL REACTION REPORT RSO
SZ SENV SOCI SNAR SO SP SU SY SI SMIG SYR SA SCUL SW SR SYRIA SNARM SPECIALIST SG SF SENS SEN SENVEAGREAIDTBIOECONSOCIXR SN SC SECRETARY SNA ST SK SL SANC SMIL SCRM SENVSXE SE SAARC STEINBERG SCRS SWE SARS SENVQGR SNARIZ SUDAN SAN SM SIPDIS SFNV SSA SPCVIS SOFA SENVKGHG SHI SEVN SHUM SH SNARCS SPCE SNARN SIPRS
TW TRGY TBIO TSPA TU TPHY TI TX TH TIP TSPL TNGD TS TRSY TC TINT TZ TN TT TR TA TIO TF TK TRAD TNDG TWI TD TWL TERRORISM TL TV TP THPY TO TURKEY TSPAM TREL TRT TFIN TAGS TWCH TBID
UK UNSC UNGA UN US UZ USEU UG UP UNAUS UNMIK USTR UY UNSCR UNRCR UNESCO USAID UNHRC USAU UNICEF UV USPS UNFICYP UNDP UNCITRAL UNHCR UNCSD UNEP USCC UNMIC UNTAC USUN USDA UNCHR UR UNCTAD USGS UNFPA USOAS USNC UA UE UNVIE UAE UNO UNODC UNCHS UNDESCO UNC UNPUOS UNDC UNCHC UNFCYP UNIDROIT UNCND
VM VE VT VZ VEPREL VN VTEG VOA VTIZ VTPREL VISIT VENZ VAT VC VI
WHTI WIPO WTRO WTO WHO WEET WCL WFP WS WHA WA WZ WI WMD WBG WILLIAM WWARD WITH WTRQ WCO WEU WMO WB
XA XX XK XL XM XS XF XR XY XG XT XI XE XW XC XH XD XU XV XB XZ XQ XTAG
YI YM YE YL YMCS
ZU ZI ZOELLICK ZP ZR ZK ZA ZO ZF ZL ZB ZN ZH ZT ZJ ZEALAND ZANU

### Browse by classification

CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN SECRET SECRET//NOFORN UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

### Community resources

Follow us on Twitter Check our Reddit Twitter this Digg this page Contact us on IRC

courage is contagious

### Viewing cable 07AITTAIPEI1988, MEDIA REACTION: TAIWAN'S UN REFERENDUM

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:

- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.

To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #07AITTAIPEI1988.

Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
07AITTAIPEI1988 | 2007-08-29 10:52 | 2011-08-23 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | American Institute Taiwan, Taipei

`

    VZCZCXYZ0009
    RR RUEHWEB

    DE RUEHIN #1988/01 2411052
    ZNR UUUUU ZZH
    R 291052Z AUG 07
    FM AIT TAIPEI
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6585
    INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 7182
    RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 8438

` `

    UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 001988

    SIPDIS

    SIPDIS

    DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD - NIDA EMMONS
    DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON

    E.O. 12958: N/A
    TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW
    SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: TAIWAN'S UN REFERENDUM

    ¶1. Summary:  Taiwan's major Chinese- and English-language dailies
    August 29 gave significant reporting and editorial coverage to U.S.
    Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte's exclusive interview with
    the Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV on Taiwan's UN referendum Monday.
    Both the centrist, KMT-leaning "China Times" and the pro-unification
    "United Daily News," as well as the three English-language dailies
    -- "Taipei Times," "China Post," and "Taiwan News" -- all
    front-paged Negroponte's remarks that the push for the UN referendum
    is akin to a step toward Taiwan independence and is thus "a
    mistake."  All the papers also ran the response by Taiwan Foreign
    Minister James Huang, who voiced "deep regret" over Negroponte's
    remarks.  The pro-unification "United Daily News" ran an exclusive
    banner headline on page three that said "'Opposing Taiwan's UN
    Referendum,' [China's Taiwan Affairs Office Director] Chen Yun-lin
    Is Scheduled to Visit the United States in September."

    ¶2. In terms of editorials and commentaries, the "Free Talk" column
    in the pro-independence "Liberty Times" criticized U.S. Deputy
    Secretary of State John Negroponte's remarks and said he has let

    SIPDIS
    down American ancestors who sacrificed their lives in the U.S. war
    of independence.  A separate "Liberty Times" analysis interpreted
    Negroponte's remarks as Washington joining hands with Beijing to
    intimidate Taiwan.  An editorial in the mass-circulation "Apple
    Daily" said Negroponte's interview reflected Washington's upset and
    desperation against President Chen Shui-bian.  An editorial in the
    centrist, KMT-leaning "China Times" chimed in by saying that
    Negroponte's remarks signified that the United States has picked a
    tune with regard to Taiwan's UN referendum.  A "United Daily News"
    editorial lashed out at President Chen for his push for the UN
    referendum and called Negroponte's remarks an "ultimatum" for
    Taiwan.  A separate "United Daily News" analysis tossed off the
    question as to whether there is a "next step" for Washington to deal
    with Taiwan's UN referendum.  An editorial in the conservative,
    pro-unification, English-language "China Post," on the other hand,
    suggested that Taiwan focus on joining smaller world organizations
    such as the International Monetary Fund.  End summary.

    A) "Have the American Superiors Forgot Their Origin?"

    The "Free Talk" column in the pro-independence "Liberty Times"
    [circulation: 720,000] wrote (8/29):

    "... Mounting voices are heard in the international community
    opposing Taiwan's bid to join the UN, and it is not surprising at
    all, since this is just a reflection of the reality of international
    politics.  What one can hardly imagine is that the United States has
    unexpectedly joined the opposition camp, and it has played the role
    of vanguard, with an attitude more proactive than that of China's.

    "The United States has downgraded its courtesy treatment for
    A-Bian's transit for this particular reason in an attempt to
    humiliate him deliberately.  But it seems that Washington still
    finds it unsatisfactory, so it had Deputy Secretary of State John
    Negroponte spout rhetoric on TV, openly opposing Taiwan's plan to
    hold a referendum on its UN bid under the name 'Taiwan' and calling
    the move a step towards a declaration of Taiwan independence.  Even
    though Taiwan, as a small country, cannot afford to offend, nor dare
    talk back to, the official remarks of this superior U.S. official,
    he should engage in introspection and ask himself:  How in the world
    is he able to face the ancestors who sacrificed their lives in the
    U.S. war of independence? ..."

    B) "U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Should Listen to Taiwan's Voices
    Cried out by 'Chthonic' Band"

    Washington correspondent Nadia Tsao noted in the pro-independence
    "Liberty Times" [circulation: 720,000] (8/29):

    "Immediately following Chinese President Hu Jintao's recent public
    announcement that the only task of the People's Liberation Army is
    to fight Taiwan, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte
    warned on Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV that Taiwan's UN referendum is
    [a step towards] an alteration of the status quo and towards a
    declaration of independence.  For the Taiwan people, Washington
    seems to be joining hands with Beijing to intimidate Taiwan.

    "Negroponte emphasized that he was talking about this issue in the
    context of the solid friendship between the United States and
    Taiwan.  But even so, following mounting public opinion supporting
    Taiwan's UN bid, one cannot help but feel concerned about
    Washington's approach -- namely, whether the United States is trying
    to replace Beijing as an unwelcome voice in the campaign leading up
    to Taiwan's elections [next year], or even to [give] certain Taiwan
    political figures in Taiwan [an opportunity] to operate in reverse
    by playing the anti-U.S. card. ..."

    C) "A-Bian Toying with the Americans"

    The mass-circulation "Apple Daily" [circulation: 530,000]

    editorialized (8/29):

    "The more the United States opposes the UN referendum, the more
    vigorous A-Bian gets.  The United States offered the lowest-ever
    courtesy treatment to A-Bian, nearly similar to humiliation, but
    A-Bian endured it gladly. For A-Bian during his previous trips to
    Central America, the allies were his secondary targets, while
    transiting major U.S. cities was his real goal.  Now A-Bian has
    given up on the United States, just as the United States has given
    up on A-Bian.  Bilateral relations have entered a new stage.

    "The deputy secretary of state of the United States said A-Bian's
    push for the UN referendum is 'a step towards a declaration of
    independence for Taiwan, towards an alteration of the status quo."
    What a great statement!  For a long period of time, Taiwan, the
    United States and China have each reserved the final say on how to
    define so-called 'Taiwan independence.'  Washington could deny
    China's definition, and for the United States, only its own
    definition counts.  As long as Washington does not believe Taiwan is
    moving toward independence, the United States can disregard it, no
    matter how others complain about it.  On the surface, this is
    strategic ambiguity, but in reality, it is hegemony.  Hegemonic
    power only cares about and regards its own argument as reasonable;
    all it wants is just to hold on firmly to the authority to control
    the situation across the Taiwan Strait.

    "The U.S. deputy secretary of state's remarks on Taiwan moving
    toward independence reflected the United States' upset and
    desperation against A-Bian on the one hand, and also the United
    States' lack of wisdom.  The United States can list plenty of
    reasons to oppose [Taiwan's] UN referendum, but it does not
    necessarily have to cite the grand [reason of] 'Taiwan
    independence.'  Using this reason exactly fits China's wishes.
    China can now quote the United States as saying that A-Bian is
    pushing for Taiwan independence and attempting to alter the status
    quo and, as a result, it can take action, and there is no reason for
    the United States to intervene. ..."

    D) "'Taiwan's UN Bid' Is for Domestic Consumption After All"

    The centrist, KMT-leaning "China Times" [circulation: 400,000]
    editorialized (8/29):

    "... Now the issue of 'Taiwan's UN bid' seems to have fallen into a
    dead end on the international stage.  It goes without saying that
    Taiwan is unable to enter the UN; nonetheless, the president visited
    other countries every year giving out a lot of money, but he could
    not even get a few sentences [supporting Taiwan's UN bid] included
    in the communique Taiwan signed with its allies during the summit.
    In addition, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte pointed
    out openly yesterday that Taiwan's 'UN referendum' is the first step
    towards Taiwan independence.  [His statement] signified that the
    United States has already picked a tune on this subject.  In other
    words, when all Taiwan's allies withdraw their support one by one at
    a time when the United States openly stated its opposition, will
    [Taiwan] be able to continue pushing its 'UN bid?'  Following the
    repetitive manipulations on 'Taiwan's UN bid' over the past few
    years, not only have we not seen more possibilities being exploited,
    but we have also seen [Taiwan's] leeway getting smaller and smaller.
     Even [Taiwan's] initial diplomatic capital is being eroded rapidly.
     In the end, it seems that the only thing Taiwan can do is to
    manipulate [the issue] at home for campaigning's sake!"

    E) "Ultimatum:  Does Taiwan Still Want the United States as Its
    Friend?"

    The pro-unification "United Daily News" [circulation: 400,000]
    editorialized (8/29):

    "Prior to Chen Shui-bian's scheduled return to Taiwan from his trip
    [to Central America], U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte
    gave a sincere talk, in which every sentence he said was aimed at
    admonishing Chen to stop the 'UN referendum' before it is too late,
    not to take the risk of altering the cross-Strait status quo, and
    not to toy with the U.S. friendship.  In reality, this sounds
    exactly like an ultimatum.

    "Negroponte put up a higher posture and defined the 'UN referendum'
    as 'a step towards a declaration of independence of Taiwan, towards
    an alteration of the status quo."  Once this 'definition' was made,
    it was akin to setting a 'criterion of victory or defeat' for the
    confrontation between the United States and Chen.  If Washington
    allows Chen to push for the 'UN referendum,' it will be like showing
    weakness to Chen, sitting idly by and watching him as he pushes for
    Taiwan independence and alters the status quo.  In contrast, if the
    United States does not allow Chen to push for Taiwan independence
    and alter the status quo, it has to stop the 'UN referendum.'
    Negroponte's remarks were like a showdown with Chen, to see whether
    it is Chen or the United States that is able to carry on.

    "The fact that Negroponte accepted the interview with Hong
    Kong-based Phoenix TV, during which the only topic he spoke about
    was [Taiwan's] 'UN referendum,' was, without a doubt, meant to speak
    to the ears of the Chinese authorities.  China is opposed to 'de
    jure Taiwan independence' and 'changes in the status quo.'  Now that
    Negroponte regards the 'UN referendum' as 'a step towards a
    declaration of independence for Taiwan, towards an alteration of the
    status quo,' it is akin to showing that the United States has
    identified with the red line drawn by China, and that it will hold
    onto this 'red line' together with China in terms of the 'UN
    referendum.'  This paper has long since warned that Chen's
    'anti-China' manipulation has transformed into 'anti-U.S.,' and now
    the warning has been proved. ...

    "The angle that is most noteworthy during the interview was that
    Negroponte emphasized the friendship between Taiwan and the United
    States at the beginning and end of the interview.  He started by
    saying that 'Taiwan has no better friend than the United States,'
    and that the United States strongly supports Taiwan's democracy and
    economy, and it is committed to the defense of Taiwan through the
    Taiwan Relations Act.  But then he changed his tone by pointing out
    from various angles that the 'UN referendum' does not meet Taiwan's
    interests; [Negroponte] sounded as if the Taiwan authorities are the
    betrayer of its own interests, whereas the United States is the
    protector of Taiwan's interests.  In this vein, under Negroponte's
    structure, the 'UN referendum' that the Taiwan authorities are
    pushing is actually 'harmful to Taiwan,' while the United States'
    attempt to stop the 'UN referendum' is [out of] its 'love for
    Taiwan.'  Judging from this, it is evident that the United States
    wants to have a dialogue with the Taiwan people via this interview,
    in hopes that the Taiwan people will believe that Washington can see
    Taiwan's interests more clearly than Chen.

    "... The entire interview began with [the sentence that] 'Taiwan has
    no better friend than the United States' and ended with
    '(maintaining Taiwan-U.S. friendship) has to be done in a serious
    and responsible way.'  The entire question and answer section was
    threaded with two axes -- one is [Washington's] opposition to the
    'UN referendum' and the other emphasizes 'Taiwan-U.S. friendship.'
    Its overtones were:  Does Taiwan still want the United States as its
    friend? ...

    "Negroponte's 'ultimatum' has pointed out:  The United States will
    use the matter of whether it can stop the 'UN referendum' to test
    the United States' role in the chess game across the Taiwan Strait.
    If the United States fails to suppress the UN referendum, [it means
    that] it cannot keep Chen under control, and it is therefore unable
    to keep the DPP and Taiwan independence under control.  In that
    vein, it is unable to justify itself to China and is thus unable to
    maintain the cross-Strait policy that it 'opposes attempts by either
    side [of the Taiwan Strait] to change the status quo unilaterally.'
    The criterion to determine the confrontation between the United
    States and Chen is exactly that if Chen's 'UN referendum' wins, it
    means that Washington's cross-Strait policy of 'opposing attempts to
    change the status quo unilaterally' loses!

    "While transiting the United States, Chen receives the U.S.
    representative in his plane with a 'UN for Taiwan' sticker on his
    chest.  The move was akin to declaring war against the U.S.
    authorities openly.  Likewise, the U.S. authorities' move to have
    its deputy secretary of state offer the remarks on 'Taiwan's
    interests/U.S. friendship' prior to Chen's return to Taiwan can be
    viewed as a gesture to meet Chen head-on in battle. ..."

    F) "Other Than Making Strongly-worded Remarks, Will the United
    States Take the Next Step?"

    Washington correspondent Vincent Chang noted in the pro-unification
    "United Daily News" [circulation: 400,000] (8/29):

    "... The fact that the U.S. government chose to have John Negroponte
    step forward to make such remarks almost indicated that the 'Taiwan
    authorities' are irresponsible and are 'disturbing the situation
    across the Taiwan Strait.'  On the one hand, Washington intended to
    upgrade the level [of the official] who made the remarks in order to
    warn 'the Taiwan authorities,' and on the other hand, it has
    upgraded the [level] of the United States' 'crisis warning' in
    handling Taiwan's UN referendum.

    "The U.S. position of 'not supporting' Taiwan independence but not
    stating in public its 'opposition,' either, was originally an
    approach made in consideration of the major framework of the
    triangular relationship among the United States, China and Taiwan.
    Now that the United States has directly defined the single matter of
    Taiwan's UN referendum as a move 'toward Taiwan independence that
    the United States opposes,' it means that Chen Shui-bian does not
    need to declare Taiwan independence; and if the UN referendum is
    held, Washington will deem it as a move equivalent to a declaration

    of Taiwan independence.  As a result, the 'Four Nos' incantation
    that Washington has been using to box Chen in will then fall apart!

    "Negroponte's remarks were strong enough, but the outside world is
    most curious about and observing whether there will be a 'next step'
    for the United States.  This is a question that Washington often
    asks Chen, but the one that should be asked this question is perhaps
    the United States itself, which knows nothing but making
    strongly-worded remarks."

    G) "Fun with Numbers in Quixotic U.N. Bid"

    The conservative, pro-unification, English-language "China Post"
    [circulation: 30,000] editorialized (8/29):

    "... Joining the U.N. without the blessing of China is a virtual
    impossibility.  Next month a cluster of Taiwan's allies -- including
    Gambia, Swaziland, Tuvalu, Belize, Burkina Faso, Honduras, Kiribati,
    Malawi, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Saint Vincent and the
    Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, and the
    Solomon Islands -- will try again to place Taiwan's U.N. bid on the
    assembly's agenda, though that's as far as it will get.  China is a
    permanent member of the U.N. Security Council with the power of
    final veto.  Taiwan's people host many hopes and aspirations for
    their country.  Some, no doubt, would support a hypothetical
    Taiwanese moon landing.  But pragmatism and realism is the way of
    logic and the way of progress.  Instead of the dreamy moon landing,
    Taiwan could, if it desired, realistically build satellites or even
    a robot space explorer.  And instead of the quixotic U.N. bid,
    Taiwan should more rightly focus on joining, and actively
    participating in, smaller world organizations like the IMF."

    WANG

`