Cablegate: Media Reaction: U.S.-Taiwan Relations

VZCZCXYZ0008
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHIN #1008 1920823
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 100823Z JUL 08
FM AIT TAIPEI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9465
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 8435
RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 9663

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 001008

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: U.S.-TAIWAN RELATIONS

Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused their July
10 news coverage on Taiwan's falling stock index and its economic
situation; on Taiwan's efforts to strive for more international
space; and on the screening process of the Examination Yuan
candidates nominated by President Ma Ying-jeou. In terms of
editorials and commentaries, a column in the mass-circulation "Apple
Daily" commented on cool-down in Taiwan-U.S. relations and said any
improvement in cross-Strait relations will certainly alter the
United States' assessment of Taiwan's security. End summary.

"Taiwan-U.S. Relations Cooling Down"

Columnist Antonio Chiang wrote in his column in the mass-circulation
"Apple Daily" [circulation: 520,000] (7/10):

"... Since the KMT returned to power, [Taipei's policy] focus has
been shifted to cross-Strait relations. The United States, on the
other hand, is busily engaged in its elections, so as a result,
bilateral relations have gradually turned cool. The most evident
change [in Taiwan-U.S. relations] was nothing more than the
deadlocked [U.S.] arms procurements issue. In an effort to show his
determination to strengthen [Taiwan's] national defense, Ma
Ying-jeou has pledged openly that he would raise Taiwan's defense
budget to three percent of the island's GDP. But Washington
believes that Taiwan has proactively requested that the arms
procurements be shelved due to political factors on the island -- an
account that Taipei has denied. But sources revealed that the
Taiwan side has not proposed a formal Letter of Request [to the
United States with regard to the arms deal], and Washington
therefore has no reason to issue a Letter of Acceptance to Taiwan.
It is akin to a couple, each of which has his or her own agenda and
is on the verge of breaking up, but neither dares to speak clearly
about it.

"Taiwan has been launching all kinds of lobbying campaigns in
Washington in hopes of winning the United States' support for Taiwan
to participate in various international organizations. Such
lobbying campaigns for Taiwan's international space have almost all
been put on hold now. There appears to be no conflicts between
Taipei and Washington now, but there seems to be a lack of passion
for each other either. The images of Taiwan and the United States
have gradually disappeared from each other's radar screens. ...

"The United States will not be more concerned for Taiwan's security
than the island itself. Any improvement in cross-Strait relations
will certainly alter the United States' assessment of Taiwan's
security. If China's influence in the Taiwan Strait grows
significantly, the United States will surely have to adjust its Asia
policy. ..."

YOUNG

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