Cablegate: Media Reaction: U.S.-Japan Alliance, U.S.-Taiwan Relations,

VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHIN #2278/01 1852151
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 042151Z JUL 06
FM AIT TAIPEI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0976
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5368
RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 6576

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 002278

SIPDIS

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

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A

TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-JAPAN ALLIANCE, U.S.-TAIWAN RELATIONS,
DPRK NUCLEAR PROGRAM

1. Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused their
coverage July 1 -3 on the investigation into the alleged role of the
First Family's personal physician in First Lady Wu Shu-chen's
involvement in the Sogo Department Store gift certificates scandal;
the rumored discord between President Chen and former President Lee
Teng-hui; the Legislative Yuan's decision to slash pensions for
former presidents and vice-presidents; and the abduction of two
Taiwan Coast Guard officers by Chinese fishermen on Saturday. The
pro-status quo "China Times" front-paged July 1 the results of a
joint poll conducted by the newspaper and CTI-TV, which showed that
56 percent of those polled said when they think of the Democratic
Progressive Party, they think of corruption. The poll also found
that respondents said they believe that the DPP is more susceptible
to corruption than the KMT.

2. In terms of editorials and commentaries, a "China Times" opinion
piece discussed the U.S.-Japan alliance, saying that Japan is sure
to play a bigger and undeniable role with regard to the cross-Strait
issue. An editorial in the limited-circulation, pro-independence,
English-language "Taipei Times" protested the Bush Administration's
opposition to a House of Representatives measure which would lift
restrictions limiting contacts between American and Taiwan
government officials. An editorial in the limited-circulation,
conservative, pro-unification, English-language "China Post" urged
the U.S., Japan, and South Korea to keep up pressure on Pyongyang
with regard to the nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula. End
summary.

3. U.S.-Japan Alliance

"U.S., Japan [Maintain] Strategic Clarity, But Ma Remains
Ambiguous?"

Lai I-chung, director of the DPP's Chinese Affairs Department,
opined in the pro-status quo "China Times" [circulation: 400,000]
(7/3):

"... As a result, when Taiwan ponders the cross-Strait issue, it
must understand that the traditional 'U.S.-China-Taiwan triangular
structure' can no longer reflect the current strategic status quo in
the Taiwan Strait. Given its own diplomatic efforts and the
'U.S.-Japan alliance,' Japan is sure to play a bigger and undeniable
role with regard to the cross-Strait issue. Also, Japan's strategic
view and its expectations toward Taiwan and China will become one of
the keys that shape the cross-Strait strategic status quo.

"In addition, we need to understand that with the globalization of
the 'U.S.-Japan alliance' and the request that the cross-Strait
issue remain peaceful, the 'double ambiguity' - namely, the
'strategic ambiguity' regarding whether the United States will get
involved in a cross-Strait [conflict], and the 'support ambiguity'
of whether Japan will support the U.S. military - has been replaced
by 'double clarity' - namely, the 'strategic clarity' that the U.S.
may likely get involved and the 'support clarity' that Japan will
surely come to the U.S.'s aid. But for Taiwan, the appearance of
security protection may indicate 'preventive diplomacy,' meaning
that the outside world will intervene more strongly in Taiwan's
internal affairs. ..."

4. U.S.-Taiwan Relations

"Please, Mr. Bush, Let Taiwan Speak"

The pro-independence, English-language "Taipei Times" [circulation:
30,000] editorialized (7/1):

"Good news indeed that the US House of Representatives has adopted a
measure as part of a funding bill that would prevent the Bush
administration from spending money on enforcing restrictions against
visits by Taiwanese officials. But the bill must be passed by the
Senate and signed by President George W. Bush to take effect, and
the chances of the measure relating to Taiwan surviving seem small,
given the indecent haste with which the famously pro-China US State
Department expressed its disapproval of developments. But the
overwhelming support in the House for the bill is a genuine cause
for celebration. The symbolism affirms the efforts of all those who
are striving to turn Taiwan into a credible diplomatic partner for a
country that is key to its future. ...

"It is high time that pro-China forces in Washington were reminded
in practical terms that Taiwan is not Cuba - and that the
fundamental freedoms of Taiwanese should be reflected in the ability
of their unofficial representatives in the US to speak to who they
want, when they want. The ability of Washington to conduct its
foreign affairs cannot be injured by the simple act of enhancing
communication between friends and allies. If anything, it is the
opposite: shackling Taiwanese envoys and their US counterparts is
antagonistic toward everything good that the US stands for, and

corrodes the American goal of seeding democracy around the world.
...

"The thought of Washington gagging its own public servants and
diplomats to avoid offending an autocratic government is surprising
enough; even more surprising - indeed, unnerving - is the apparent
belief in the US State Department that this policy has no malign
effect on Taiwan's ability to defend itself. Muting the voices of
the imperiled and cultivating an atmosphere of misunderstanding and
aloofness is in the interests of no responsible party. With the
Senate vote and Bush's response to follow, Taiwan will soon be
reminded of who in the US takes it security more seriously."

5. DPRK Nuclear Program

"U.S., Japan, South Korea Should Keep up Pressure on Pyongyang"

The conservative, pro-unification, English-language "China Post"
[circulation: 30,000] said in an editorial (7/2):

"After the invasion and occupation of Iraq on the pretext of
destroying weapons of mass destruction, many critics have accused
U.S. President George W. Bush of employing a double standard when it
comes to North Korea. While there are indeed some comparisons to be
made between the two regimes, we believe that the United States is
following a wise policy by forming a united front with Japan and
other allies while remaining open to talks with Pyongyang. Even
though there are many elements in common between the former Iraqi
regime and North Korea, we believe that as long as the U.S. and
Japan remain committed to their stance, patient negotiations will
eventually produce results. ...

"As long as the U.S., Japan and South Korea are willing to give
North Korea a reasonable deal in exchange for a more amicable
relationship, we are confident that Pyongyang will cave in, in order
to survive. ... Besides standing tough against Pyongyang and
demanding it abandon weapons of mass destruction, the United States,
Japan and South Korea need to continue prodding North Korea into
reforming its economy. ..."

YOUNG

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