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### Viewing cable 07AITTAIPEI1396, MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-TAIWAN RELATIONS

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
07AITTAIPEI1396 | 2007-06-20 09:11 | 2011-08-23 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | American Institute Taiwan, Taipei

`

    VZCZCXYZ0012
    RR RUEHWEB

    DE RUEHIN #1396/01 1710911
    ZNR UUUUU ZZH
    R 200911Z JUN 07
    FM AIT TAIPEI
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5716
    INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 6932
    RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 8186

` `

    UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 001396

    SIPDIS

    SIPDIS

    DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD - DAVID FIRESTEIN
    DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON

    E.O. 12958: N/A
    TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW
    SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-TAIWAN RELATIONS

    ¶1. Summary:  Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused news
    coverage June 19-20 on President Chen Shui-bian's proposal to hold a
    referendum on the island's UN bid under the name Taiwan and the U.S.
    State Department's statement Monday, which opposes such an
    initiative; on the 2008 presidential election; on the aftermath
    following the detention of Eastern Multimedia Group Chairman Gary
    Wang Sunday; and on other local issues.  The pro-independence
    "Liberty Times" ran a banner headline on page two June 20 that said
    "Referendum on the UN Bid, the United States Opposes [It], but the
    DPP Will Not Flinch."  With regard to AIT Chairman Raymond
    Burghardt's recent visit and the U.S. arms procurements budget, the
    "Liberty Times" carried an exclusive news story on page eight June
    19 with the headline: "KMT Blocks the Budget for PACIII Missiles
    Again and It Even Comes up with a 'New Excuse' to Stall It; Raymond
    Burghardt 'Almost Falls out of the Chair' When He Hears [the
    Excuse]."

    ¶2.  In terms of editorials and commentaries, a "Liberty Times"
    analysis lashed out at AIT Chairman Burghardt for his remarks on
    President Chen's proposal to hold a referendum on Taiwan's UN bid.
    The article said Taiwan does not need to seek approval from others
    to hold a referendum.  A separate "Liberty Times" analysis also
    chimed in by saying harshly that the United States is in no position
    to interfere with Taiwan's decision to conduct referenda.  A
    "Liberty Times" op-ed piece urged Washington to engage in high-level
    meetings with Taiwan over the island's UN bid.  An analysis in the
    pro-unification "United Daily News," however, said that for
    President Chen, the importance of the sustainability of the DPP
    regime has long outranked that of the U.S.-Taiwan relations, so it
    is impossible for the United States to ask Chen to make concession
    over this issue.  A separate "United Daily News" op-ed also said
    President Chen has long grown accustomed to Washington's oral
    opposition, and he will get what he wants eventually after the
    scolding of the United States.  An editorial in the
    limited-circulation, pro-independence, English-language "Taiwan
    News" urged Washington to consider carefully Taiwan's position to
    hold a referendum on its UN bid.  End summary.

    A) "Burghardt Relays Message in a High-Profile Manner; Taiwan Does
    Not Need to Watch Others' Expression [for Signs of Approval] for
    Holding Referenda"

    Deputy Editor-in-Chief Tsou Jiing-wen said in an analysis in the
    pro-independence "Liberty Times" [circulation: 500,000] (6/19):

    "When compared with his attitude shown during his first visit to
    Taiwan in the capacity [of AIT chairman] last year, Raymond
    Burghardt demonstrated a very different bearing during his visit
    this time.  He sounded very much like a 'governor-general' who has
    come to inspect [the island].  During his several closed-door
    meetings with leaders of the ruling and opposition parties,
    Burghardt took the initiative in mentioning the referenda, and
    without too many meaningless remarks, Burghardt made the U.S.
    position very clear. ...

    "Burghardt said that '[O]ur attitude is very clear, and you are
    clearly aware of it.  If you really do it, we will surely speak out,
    and we will not be out of reaction."  His implication was that the
    candidates themselves will have to assess the impact on their
    campaign should the United States come forth to criticize such a
    move!  Immediately following Burghardt's remarks, A-Bian announced
    that he would push for a referendum on the island's 'UN bid under
    the name 'Taiwan' in tandem with the presidential election.  [Such a
    move] was meant to get it straight to the Americans that 'you didn't
    convince me.'  [Chen's] choice is perfectly accurate when it is
    judged against the backdrop of the triangular relationship between
    Washington, Beijing and Taipei over the recent years.  The Americans
    cannot just ask Taiwan to shut up obediently without offering
    something in return, including a free trade agreement.

    "Burghardt has made many inappropriate statements in public during
    his visit this time, but it is a pity that few political figures
    rebutted him immediately after he made them.  For instance,
    Burghardt said he wanted to meet with the presidential candidates,
    and whether he would meet with President Chen was undecided yet!
    [Burghardt's remarks] were akin to a foreign envoy, who goes to the
    United States, looks down on President George W. Bush while showing
    more interest in meeting with the candidates of the Republican and
    Democratic Parties.  Burghardt sounded exactly like a supervisor
    from a superior country when he said the Taiwan government and the
    two presidential candidates had better be prudent in their remarks
    and actions during the campaigning process.

    "A-Bian remains in charge of Taiwan's policies until May 20, 2008,
    and there is even no room for Ma Ying-jeou and Frank Hsieh to meddle
    in [the policies.]  It is not without reasons that Burghardt dared
    to disregard diplomatic decorum by behaving so rudely and making
    improper remarks.  But A-Bian is determined to go his own way.  In
    comparison, he is the one with a certain style and moral character.

    It is indeed such a pity that both Ma and Hsieh have chosen to keep
    quiet and have not carried themselves with dignity!"

    B) "The United States Is in No Position to Interfere with Taiwan's
    Holding Referenda"

    Deputy Editor-in-Chief Tsou Jiing-wen said in an analysis in the
    pro-independence "Liberty Times" [circulation: 500,000] (6/20):

    "Exactly as Raymond Burghardt had previously 'warned,' the U.S.
    State Department has issued a statement 'not supporting' Taiwan's
    referendum on its UN bid.  This is, without a doubt, a clear
    position held by the United States.  But the matter is that it
    requires the support of the Taiwan people only, not that of the U.S.
    government, to conduct referenda in Taiwan.  The [U.S.] statement is
    akin to rubbish; it is unconstructive and thus can be thrown away.

    "When it comes to the engagement between nations, what weighs most
    should be their common interests.  A country cannot possibly get any
    positive response from another country if it attempts to impose its
    unilateral interests on the latter.  Over the past few years, Taiwan
    has constantly faced unjust treatment during its public attempts to
    participate in the international organizations, while under the
    table it has been subject to the same obligations [as other member
    nations].  A key factor [behind this situation] is the United
    States' appeasement and tolerance toward those rogues.  Since the
    United States has failed to play the role of policeman well, 'who
    cares' [what it said] -- to quote a widely-used Chinese expression
    -- when it only blows whistles at Taiwan.

    "The State Department said it does not support Taiwan's
    participatiQin the international organizations for which statehood
    is a requirement.  Should this be the case, given the fact that
    national defense is more closely related to the symbol of a
    sovereign state, why did the United States stamp its foot when the
    arms procurements budget was stalled in the Legislative Yuan for a
    period of time?  Why did it not apply the same logic to say that it
    'does not support' Taiwan's military buildup? ...

    "The Americans have badly estimated the situation:  Washington is
    able to use its policies to restrain Taiwan only when the island
    needs to seek help from the United States in various aspects.  But
    now that such necessity has dropped to its record low point, what
    does Taiwan have to fear since it has 'nothing to lose' now?  The
    United States has never approved of it throughout the entire process
    when Taiwan held its first referendum in 2004.  It is be very
    unrealistic for the interlocutors that Washington sent to Taiwan to
    believe that they can use the one and only reason of defending
    Taiwan to suppress the island to act like a vegetable. ..."

    C) "The United States' One China Policy Should Not Be Viewed as a
    Reason [for Requesting That President Chen Shui-bian Stop a
    Referendum on Taiwan's UN Bid]"

    Professor Chen Wen-hsien at the National Chengchi University opined
    in the pro-independence "Liberty Times" [circulation: 500,000]
    (6/20):

    "... Taiwan's participation in the United Nations will be more
    conducive for the United States to strengthen its interest in East
    Asia in the long run.  Both the United States and Taiwan should thus
    hold high-level meetings about this issue.  Since Washington is able
    to engage in dialogue with North Korea, with which it has no
    diplomatic ties, and the People's Republic of China, with which it
    did not have diplomatic ties, there is no need for it to dodge
    consultations with Taiwan now!"

    D) "The United States Strongly Opposes [Taiwan's] Referendum on UN
    Bid; Bian to Challenge It More Sternly"

    Washington correspondent Vincent Chang noted in the "Washington
    Observation" column in the pro-unification "United Daily News"
    [circulation: 400,000] (6/20):

    "... The real intent of Chen Shui-bian and the DPP to manipulate the
    [referendum] issue is to duplicate the vote-luring effect that they
    [successfully] achieved in 2004 when 'the referendum was bundled
    with the presidential election.'  But what sensitive Washington has
    been concerned about are cross-Strait relations.  That is why
    Washington acted hurriedly to define, via the State Department's
    unambiguous statement, this potential referendum as [a move that]
    'appears designed to change the status quo unilaterally;' that
    'wouQincrease tensions in the Taiwan Strait;' and that 'would run
    counter to President Chen's repeated commitments to President Bush
    and the international community.' ...

    "This year's situation is obviously different.  The United States
    has, at an early stage, used the word 'opposition' to draw a red

    line regarding Chen's referendum on the island's UN bid under the
    name 'Taiwan.'  Such a move is akin to telling [Chen] that there is
    no room for negotiation or ambiguity.  But even though Washington
    has shown its "hole card" in advance, it still holds expectations
    that Chen will come forth and settle the controversy in the end.
    That is why [the State Department] said 'we urge President Chen to
    exercise leadership by rejecting such a proposed referendum.'  But
    for Chen, the importance of the sustainability of the DPP regime has
    perhaps long since outranked that of Taiwan-U.S. relations.  If the
    whole DPP commonly believes that it is necessary to bundle the
    referendum with the presidential election, then the United States
    will be unsuccessful in asking Chen to make a concession."

    E) "The United States Harshly Questions Bian, but [Is It an Attempt
    to] 'Suffer a Scolding to Get What You Want'?"Qlitical commentator Wang Jung-lin opiQin the pro-unification
    "United Daily News" [circulation: 400,000] (6/20):

    "Chen Shui-bian said clearly June 18 that he hopes to hold a
    referendum on [Taiwan's] UN bid in tandem with the presidential
    election next year.  But the next day, the U.S. State Department
    immediately mentioned Chen's name and asked him to retract such an
    initiative on the ground that this referendum appears designed to
    change the status quo and would increase tensions in the Taiwan
    Strait.  Such oral opposition by the United States has been an old
    approach used many times [by Washington], and Chen has long since
    got accustomed to Washington's mentioning his name, as previous
    experience has proved that, once he gets his head past a narrow
    opening, his body can pass as well.  As a result, who is the
    intended audience for this two-man comic show?

    "There are two designated kinds of audience.  For the United States,
    its audience is Beijing; as long as there is any slight commotion on
    Taiwan's part, almost without exception, Washington will 'scold'
    Taiwan to show Beijing. ...  For the Chen administration, however,
    its audience is the Taiwan people.  The purpose for Chen to design
    this [show of] 'bundling a referendum with the presidential
    election' was of course to solicit votes, and it is not necessarily
    related -- or it might even trigger negative consequences -- to the
    questions of whether Taiwan is ready to change the status quo in the
    Taiwan Strait or whether it is able to join the UN. ..."

    F) "U.S. Should Decide Where It Stands"

    The pro-independence, English-language "Taiwan News" [circulation:
    20,000] editorialized (6/20):

    "Even after discounting the exaggeration by the mainstream
    pro-Kuomintang media, the call by an anonymous official of the
    United States State Department directed at President Chen Shui-bian
    to 'reject' a proposed referendum on whether Taiwan should apply to
    join the United Nations under the name of 'Taiwan' makes a travesty
    of last week's declaration by U.S. President George W. Bush in
    Prague that Washington 'supports the growth of democratic movements
    and institutions in every nation.' ...  No official of the U.S. has
    any right to tell President Chen to 'reject' this referendum
    petition and the president himself has no right or authority to stop
    the current campaign.  Assuming the report is correct, the
    Washington official, whose remarks mainly parrot a complaint made
    last week by the PRC's own Office of Taiwan Affairs, has an
    exaggerated view of the significance of this initiative.

    "First, the referendum itself does not even constitute a 'change' in
    Taiwan's status, but, if approved, would only show tQ an
    overwhelming majority of Taiwan's citizQhope that the United
    Nations member countries will 'change' Taiwan's status of exclusion
    from the U.N.  Second, the referendum does not directly call for a
    change in Taiwan's official name, but only refers to the title to be
    used in the U.N.  More to the point, the very fact that the U.S.
    State Department believes Chen can stop this process reveals that
    the State Department either does not believe Taiwan is a democracy
    or simply does not understand how Taiwan's democratic political
    system operates.  The president simply has no direct power or right
    to halt an ongoing petition campaign or to order the Executive Yuan
    or the CEC to either certify or reject the initial or secondary
    petitions or to schedule the timing of the referendum vote.  The
    people who will ultimately determine the course of this referendum
    campaign are the citizens and eligible voters in Taiwan, who can use
    their free will and good judgment to decide whether to sign
    petitions to put the issue on the ballot or whether to vote for or
    against the proposal.

    "For our part, we concur that Taiwan should apply to join the United
    Nations as 'Taiwan' and we concur that the Taiwan electorate have an
    opportunity to express their will on this issue in a referendum
    vote.  We urge Washington to carefully consider its position.  If
    the U.S. State Department upholds the principle of universality in
    the U.N. Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and

    desires true regional stability, it should support efforts to find a
    method to ensure the direct representation of the 23 million people
    of Taiwan in the U.N. system.  If Washington had done so and had not
    turned a blind eye to the drive by the PRC to arbitrarily change
    Taiwan's status quo by 'legalizing' its claim of sovereignty over
    Taiwan and building up military power to threaten direct annexation,
    there would probably have been no need for this referendum drive.
    Of course, there is the possibility the U.S. State Department itself
    believes that the authoritarian PRC regime and not the
    democratically elected government of Taiwan should represent the
    Taiwan people in the U.N.  If so, we wish the U.S. State Department
    would publicly affirm its position that the people of Taiwan are to
    be seen as an 'exception' to the no longer Universal Declaration of
    Human Rights and also cease hypocritical prating about how
    Washington 'supports democracy in every nation of the world.'"

    YOUNG

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