Cablegate: Media Reaction: Taiwan Referendum On Un Membership

VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHIN #2393 2980805
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 250805Z OCT 07
FM AIT TAIPEI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7229
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 7388
RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 8670

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 002393

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD - NIDA EMMONS
DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: TAIWAN REFERENDUM ON UN MEMBERSHIP

1. Summary: News coverage of Taiwan's major Chinese-language
dailies October 25 focused on American Institute in Taiwan Director
Stephen Young's remarks that the United States does not support
Taiwan's bid for UN membership. Two other topics were the
resignation of Jaw Shaw-kong, chairman and president of the
Broadcasting Corporation of China, which was once owned by the KMT,
accusing government agencies of persecution; and Taiwan government's
lifting a ban on local funds investing in China's stock market.
Commenting on Director Young's remarks, the pro-independence
"Liberty Times" said in a column that the DPP will push through
Taiwan's UN membership regardless of any taunts or jeers. End
summary.

2. "Demons and Bedevilment"

The Free Talks column of the pro-independence "Liberty Times"
[circulation: 720,000] said (10/25):

"... The Green camp is now firmly determined to push for UN
membership. It is not afraid of any demons and ghosts. Despite all
the sarcasm, the camp will continue running the UN bid torch relay,
even if the most important ally, the United States, has repeatedly
made harsh remarks, and even though American Institute in
Taiwan/Taipei Office Director Stephen Young ridiculed the relay on a
[recent] occasion, saying that because he has weak knees, he does
not jog anymore and can only climb the Taipei 101 tower, which is an
'upward' course. ..."

YOUNG

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