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### Viewing cable 05TAIPEI3911, MEDIA REACTION: U.S. ARMS PROCUREMENTS

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
05TAIPEI3911 | 2005-09-22 23:08 | 2011-08-23 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | American Institute Taiwan, Taipei

`

    This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

    222308Z Sep 05

` `

    UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 TAIPEI 003911

    SIPDIS

    DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD - ERIC
    BARBORIAK
    DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON

    E.O. 12958: N/A
    TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW
    SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S. ARMS PROCUREMENTS

    ¶1. Summary: Major Chinese-language Taipei dailies
    focused their coverage September 22 on Taiwan
    independent Legislator Li Ao's speech delivered at
    Beijing University Wednesday; the death of a three-year-
    old boy who was left unattended in a kindergarten van;
    President Chen Shui-bian's transit in the United
    States; and the reaction of Taiwan military and
    legislators to U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Defense
    Richard Lawless' statement Monday on Taiwan's blocked
    arms procurement bill.  The centrist "China Times" ran
    a news story on page four that was topped with the
    headline: "In Response to U.S. Official's `Harsh
    Remarks,' Military: [We] Have Never Expected That the
    United States Would Help Defend Taiwan."  The pro-
    unification "United Daily News," on the other hand,
    quoted Taiwan Vice Defense Minister Huo Shou-yeh on its
    page four as saying that the Pentagon was merely
    concerned about Taiwan's national security as a friend.
    Both the "United Daily News" and "China Times" carried
    reactions by PFP Legislator Lin Yu-fang saying the U.S.
    criticism is interference in Taiwan's domestic affairs,
    while the pro-independence "Liberty Times," Taiwan's
    biggest daily, reported on former Cabinet Secretary-
    General (DPP) Liu Hsih-fang's statement that Taiwan
    political parties should consider U.S. arms
    procurements from the perspective of national
    interests, instead of from the interests of political
    parties.

    ¶2. In terms of editorials and commentaries, editorials
    in the pro-independence "Liberty Times," "Taiwan Daily"
    and limited-circulation, English-language "Taipei
    Times" all criticized the pan-Blue camp for
    disregarding Taiwan's national security and blocking
    the U.S. arms procurement bill under the pretense of
    following public opinion.  They also warned Taiwan to
    pay attention to Washington's change in both mentality
    and policy with regard to defending Taiwan.  "United
    Daily News" Washington correspondent Vincent Chang
    wrote in an opinion piece that it is embarrassing that
    the United States has to "teach" Taiwan how to value
    its security.  A famous Taiwan lawyer/law professor,
    Chen Charng-ven, said in a separate opinion piece in
    the "United Daily News" that Taiwan should ask the
    United States to sign a joint defense pact with Taiwan
    before it spends a huge amount money on buying weapons
    from the United States.  End summary.

    A) "Pan-Blue Camp Must Clarify to All Taiwan People
    about Its Motives to Block [U.S.] Arms Procurements"

    The pro-independence "Liberty Times" [circulation:
    600,000] editorialized (9/22):

    "The [U.S.] arms procurement bill has still failed to
    be reviewed by the Legislative Yuan's Procedure
    Committee.  Some American friends that are concerned
    about Taiwan seemed to have changed their attitude from
    concern into [feelings of] powerlessness and
    disappointment; they also strongly question if Taiwan
    is really determined to defend itself.  The remarks
    made by American officials recently somehow reveal a
    gradual change in the United States' mentality and
    policy in defending Taiwan. .

    "The candid remarks by American officials, without
    doubt, have articulated an embarrassing fact that some
    pan-Blue politicians in Taiwan hold the United States
    to the promise that, given its moral responsibility,
    Washington will surely not give up on Taiwan.  They are
    thus waiting fearlessly for the United States to defend
    Taiwan.  Other pan-Blue politicians are basically
    tilting toward China; they genuinely believe that China
    is their `mother nation' and they have never stop
    hoping that their `mother nation' will come and take
    over Taiwan or Taiwan will be handed over to China one
    day.  For them as a result, Taiwan does not need any
    national defense [capabilities].

    "Just as Ross said, the arms procurements have become a
    political football kicked back and forth between the
    pan-Blue and pan-Green camps.  It is a pity that
    Taiwan's security has been sacrificed in this political
    game.  An independent nation must demonstrate its
    dignity and sovereignty.  Thus, for the DPP, in
    addition to the special arms procurement package, it
    should seek to increase the government's annual defense
    budget ratio so as to really strengthen Taiwan national
    defense.  . To show their responsibility for the Taiwan
    people, the pan-Blue camp must clarify to all why it
    has repeatedly blocked the arms procurement bill. ."

    B) "Pan-Blue Camp Echoes China and Disregards
    [Taiwan's] National Security; It Blocks [U.S.] Arms
    Procurements Under the Pretense of [Following] Public
    Opinion - Ross' Strong-worded Statement That `United
    States Has No Obligation to Defend Taiwan' Is Worth
    Reflections of Both the Ruling and Opposition Parties.
    Taiwan People Should No Longer Keep Silent [over the
    Arms Procurements]"

    The pro-independence "Taiwan Daily" [circulation:
    100,000] commented in an editorial (9/22):

    ". [U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency's Security
    Cooperation Operations Principal Director Edward] Ross'
    remarks reflect the long-term, intense battles between
    Taiwan's political parties.  Since [the U.S. arms
    sales] is a matter of Taiwan's national security, all
    Taiwan people should spend some time reviewing and
    reflecting on [Ross' statements].  . The opposition
    party politicians are opposed to the U.S. arms
    procurements, and they deliberately smear Ross' remarks
    by saying Washington criticizes Taiwan just for the
    sake of U.S. interests and the interests of the
    American arms dealers.  This is not true.  The decision
    regarding whether Taiwan should purchase weapons should
    be made in consideration of Taiwan's national security.
    If China did not act like a warmonger, constantly
    conduct military drills ., increase its armaments, and
    [act as if it] is ready to invade and annex Taiwan any
    time, Taiwan would not need to buy weapons from the
    United States at all.  In addition, the U.S. arms
    procurements are not a matter related to Taiwan's
    security only; it is also closely linked to the balance
    of power in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.  As
    Taiwan's ally, the United States will undoubtedly sit
    back and do nothing about [China's actions]. ."

    C) "Taiwan Needs Consensus on Defense"

    The pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times"
    [circulation: 300,000] wrote in an editorial (9/22):

    "The director of the US Defense Security Cooperation
    Agency, Edward Ross, on Monday issued a blunt warning
    on Taiwan's blocked arms-procurement bill, saying that
    in terms of its Taiwan Relations act (TRA), the US is
    under no obligation to help Taiwan deter a military
    threat in the Strait.  If it believes that Taiwan has
    not fulfilled its unwritten obligation to ensure its
    own viable self-defense.

    "The US' comments to Taiwan have evolved from
    statements of support and appreciation into complaints,
    and now into clear words of warning. . Without doubt,
    the Bush administration seems to have grown rather
    disappointed, frustrated and discontented with
    politicians in Taiwan on the self-defense issue. .

    "Can you blame the US?  Even Taiwan's friends in the US
    Congress are asking why the US should risk the lives of
    its young men and women to defend Taiwan, which seems
    to be reluctant to invest in its own defense.

    "Some in Taiwan argue that Taiwan can never match the
    spending of China, the emerging military giant - so why
    try?  Such a mindset demonstrates a fundamental
    misunderstanding of the role of the military.  The
    military exists to deter attacks.  It deters attacks by
    providing a credible defense capability.  It is
    frustrating enough to see Taiwan being locked in a
    diplomatically disadvantageous position on the
    international stage, but it is even more terrifying to
    see senseless domestic politics making Taiwan's
    national defense one of the nation's weakness.

    "All politicians, regardless of party affiliations,
    ought to ask themselves and examine their hearts about
    what they have done to substantively promote Taiwan's
    national defense.  Taiwan possesses no offensive
    capability against China.  Are they going to let the
    nation lose even the most basic minimum requirement - a
    capacity to at least deter threats?

    "It is time for all the people of Taiwan to reach a
    consensus on national security and show the US that
    Taiwan is not coward, nor a baby that knows only how2
    to cry for help but refuses to help itself."

    D) "How to Face the United States' `Guidance Chess'"

    Washington correspondent Vincent Chang wrote in an
    opinion piece in the conservative, pro-unification
    "United Daily News" [circulation: 400,000] (9/22):

    ". These harsh words, which represent the U.S.
    government's stand and are not moderated, is like the
    United States' ultimatum to Taiwan. It shows that the
    United States is at its most impatient. With his words,
    [Edward Ross is] treating years of Taiwan's inaction
    with its defense as the maneuver to get a free ride
    from the United States and drag Uncle Sam into the
    mire.

    "How to protect Taiwan's security is a serious matter -
    unless the Chinese Communist Party gives up [its]
    military threat against Taiwan, any alleged kindness
    comes with conditions. But Blue and Green politicians'
    verbal exchanges on the U.S. arms procurement bill
    completely blur the focus . .

    "Although Ross clarified that his talk was not meant to
    urge Taiwan to pass the arms procurement bill, or to
    get Taiwan into a military competition with China, he
    also said it was not enough only to increase the
    defense budget, but the defense budget has to be
    prioritized. Between his covers, he was still unable to
    hide the United States' intention to `play a guide in
    the chess.'

    "It is very embarrassing for the governing party and
    the opposition to allow a foreign country to teach
    Taiwan about how to appreciate the importance of its
    own security. The U.S. is delivering harsh words to
    show its impatience, and it has made its intention very
    clear. Taiwan does not have to act according to the
    United States' liking, but if it decides to forgo the
    arms procurement deal, then it has to be capable of
    dealing with the risk of the United States' adjustment
    of its security lever role in the Taiwan Strait. If
    [Taiwan] wants to purchase the weapons but does not
    want to pay such a high price, then [Taiwan] has to be
    able to bargain. Besides waging verbal wars, the
    governing party and the opposition parties should
    demonstrate their real abilities."

    E) "Tell the United States: No Arms Deals If They Do
    Not Sign a Defense Pact [with the Island]"

    Lawyer and Law Professor Chen Charg-ven said in an
    opinion piece in the pro-unification "United Daily
    News" [circulation: 400,000] (9/22):

    "U.S. defense official Edward Ross made a strong-worded
    statement regarding Taiwan's arms procurements.  Ross'
    speech was interpreted as Washington saying it will not
    defend Taiwan if the arms procurement bill fails to
    pass.  In fact, Ross' remarks have just pointed out the
    reason why we are opposed to arms procurements.

    "Ross said: `If you [i.e. Taiwan] cannot defend
    yourself, we cannot help to defend you;' meaning that
    `no arms deals, no [U.S.] assistance to defend
    [Taiwan.]"  In this double negative proposition, it
    seems an evident fact that should Taiwan fail to pass
    the arms procurement bill, the United States will
    certainly not send any troops if a war breaks out in
    the Taiwan Strait.  But will the United States send
    troops to the Strait if Taiwan passes the arms
    procurement bill and if Beijing invades Taiwan?  It
    seems that judged from the reality, the answer remains
    to be no.  First, [since] Taipei and Washington have no
    joint defense pact, the United States is `not obliged
    to help defend [Taiwan].'  Second, when it comes to
    Pyongyang's nuclear program, Washington needs to rely
    on Beijing.  How high are the chances that the two
    military hegemonic powers in the world will start a
    world war because of Taiwan? .

    "Finally, Taiwan needs not worry about the harsh
    remarks by American officials.  The opposition parties
    must by no means be thwarted.  Washington's harsh
    remarks showed that they attach great importance to the
    humongous interests concerning the arms deals.  Judged
    from a negotiator's perspective, it shows that Taiwan
    has got more bargaining chips!  Why don't [we] ask the
    United States to sign a joint defense pact with Taiwan
    to show Washington is really sincere in helping to
    defend the island?  If Washington agrees to sign such a
    pact, it makes more sense for Taiwan to purchase
    weapons from the United States, and it will be a major
    diplomatic breakthrough for Taiwan (signing a formal
    pact means that Taiwan's status in the international
    law is recognized.)  If Washington refuses to sign the
    pact, it simply tells us a fact that even if we spend a
    huge money buying weapons, we cannot defeat Beijing,
    and Washington will not send troops should there be a
    war in the Taiwan Strait.  So why bother to waste our
    money?

    "The ruling, opposition parties and all Taiwan people,
    please say it out loud to the United States: no arms
    deal if [Washington] refuses to sign a [defense] pact
    [with Taiwan]!  If the government is determined to buy
    those weapons, please explain in details the reasons
    why [we need to buy them]; do not give us those empty
    reasons such as `Taiwan cannot live without nation
    defense.'  The government should also explain in
    details the source of funding for buying those weapons;
    we do not want to act irresponsibly and leave the debts
    to our future generations."

    KEEGAN

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