Cablegate: Media Reaction: Taiwan's Consitutional Reform And

VZCZCXYZ0010
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHIN #3431 2770529
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 040529Z OCT 06
FM AIT TAIPEI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2462
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5740
RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 6954

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 003431

SIPDIS

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

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: TAIWAN'S CONSITUTIONAL REFORM AND
CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS.

1. Summary: Taiwan dailies (October 4) focused on U.S. worries
about Taiwan's constitutional reform. The pro-status quo "China
Times" front-paged that "The United States has urged President Chen
Shui-bian through three channels not to touch the 'red line' in
constitutional reform."

2. In terms of editorials, the pro-unification "United Daily News"
editorialized that President Chen Shui-bian's attempt at
constitutional reform has infuriated the United States. The
conservative, pro-unification, English-language "China Post" said in
its editorial that an informal tourism agreement between Taiwan and
China might be stalled because of the recent traffic accident
involving mainland Chinese tourists in central Taiwan. End
summary.

3. The pro-unification "United Daily News" [circulation: 400,000]
editorialized (10/04) that:

"Taiwan's New Constitution is Fake; [the fact that] it has
infuriated the United States is True"

"The DPP will send a draft for constitutional reform to its Central
Executive Committee. Days ago, Chen Shui-bian claimed that 'the
territorial boundaries must be defined pragmatically,' and the
United States immediately made strong responses. U.S. Department of
State spokesmen used strong words twice, and every sentence pointed
to Chen Shui-bian; the language even expressed strong doubts about
Chen Shui-bian's competence and legitimacy.

"... In the midst of the Anti-Bian Action, strong words from the
U.S. government not only directly question Chen Shui-bian's
competence to lead the country, but they also echo 'anti-Bian'
actions. This is a piece of evidence that Chen Shui-bian has really
infuriated the United States.

"... Why does Chen Shui-bian always want to use a 'fake issue' such
as 'constitutional reform for Taiwan independence' in exchange for
'real damages' in Taiwan-U.S. relations? This kind of political
thinking is really difficult to comprehend. Over the past six
years, whenever the President attempted to cross the 'restricted
area for constitutional reform,' the United States struck back; and
the United States took stronger and stronger actions each time. If
constitutional reform has ever had any space for the development of
Taiwan independence, the United States has almost blocked it and
left no room for it. This time, Chen Shui-bian is humiliated again;
the space for Taiwan independence is being blocked again. Moreover,
it is a further deterioration of relations between the United States
and the DPP's Taiwan independence forces. ..."

4. "Accident May Stall Tourism Agreement"

The conservative, pro-unification, English-language "China Post"
[circulation: 30,000] editorialized (10/04):

"The crash of a tourist bus carrying mainland Chinese tourists in
central Taiwan's Nantou County was a tragic accident that took the
lives of five tourists and their Taiwanese tour guide.

"But if the fallout from the accident is not handled properly, this
tragedy has the potential to derail a long-awaited informal tourism
agreement between Taipei and Beijing.

"In recent months, following our government's decision to allow
mainland Chinese residents to make tourist visits to Taiwan,
governments on both sides have signaled a willingness to let tourism
business leaders work out arrangements that would normalize the
process for mainland tourists to visit Taiwan. Since both
governments are still in no mood to negotiate directly with each
other, Taipei and Beijing have instead indicated they will allow
private tourism associations to work out a private sector
agreement.

"... In the end, officials here should work to treat injured
mainland tourists and relatives of the deceased victims in the same
way that we would want Taiwanese to be treated if the same accident
happened on the mainland.

"By giving this incident high priority, our government can
demonstrate sincerity that one hopes could overcome any setbacks so
that an agreement can still be reached."

WANG

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