Cablegate: Media Reaction: Taiwan Identity

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

040811Z Nov 05

UNCLAS TAIPEI 004479

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: TAIWAN IDENTITY

Summary: Major Chinese-language Taipei dailies gave
extensive coverage on November 4 to President Chen Shui-
bian's decision to withdraw two honorary medals awarded to
former Presidential Office Deputy Secretary-General Chen Che-
nan due to his inappropriate appointment of an accountant in
the Presidential Office to deal with his own personal
finances. Coverage also focused on other alleged scandals
involving two high-ranking finance officials and the
aftermath of the Government Information Office's probe into
the ownership structure of TVBS, a local station whose talk
show programs tend to be critical of the ruling DPP
government. The pro-independence "Taiwan Daily," however,
is the only Chinese-language newspaper that reported on its
front page President Chen's remarks on Tuesday that he will
focus on four core issues during the rest of his term to
promote Taiwan's position in the international community.
An editorial in the newspaper also discussed Chen's four
major policy objectives, urging the government to replace
the national title of "Republic of China" with "Taiwan" in
an attempt to help the island walk out of its current
diplomatic predicament. End summary.

"[The Government Should] Strive to Enhance the Island's
Participation in the International Community In the Name of
Taiwan, Which Shall Replace the Useless [Name of] Republic
of China, in an Attempt to Walk out of the Diplomatic
Predicament It Is In."

The pro-independence "Taiwan Daily" [circulation: 100,000]
asserted in an editorial (11/4):

"President Chen Shui-bian, when receiving a visiting
delegation from the North American Taiwanese Medical
Association on Thursday, said he will focus on four core
issues during the rest of his term: "expanding [Taiwan's]
participation in the international community," "constructing
political order," "improving public welfare," and "defending
security and peace." Chen said he hopes Taiwan can use its
assets in trade, democracy, humanitarianism, and security to
participate more actively in the international community. .

"Just as Chen stated on Thursday, Taiwan's `love for
democracy and honor for human rights' is a very important
cornerstone for the island's democratic development. We
need to cherish this democratic achievement, which did not
come about easily. Likewise, since the [name of] Republic
of China has turned out to be a burden and negative point
for Taiwan's foreign relations, we need to educate our
younger generations that the [name of] Republic of China is
not conducive to winning international recognition and that
the Republic of China is thus [considered] dead; we must
make sure that they have no confusion about their national
identity. Internationally, we should start from scratch by
using the [national] title of Taiwan to play a more
proactive role in participating in international activities
and organizations involved in economics, trade, relief,
public health, environmental protection, culture, science
and technology. Taiwan needs to raise its visibility in the
international community via substantive means of diplomacy,
seek to improve its foreign relations, and walk out of the
diplomatic predicament it is currently in."

KEEGAN

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