VZCZCXYZ0023
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHIN #1734 2150901
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 030901Z AUG 07
FM AIT TAIPEI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6237
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 7093
RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 8341
UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 001734
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD
DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: DPP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FRANK HSIEH'S
U.S. TRIP
Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused news
coverage August 3 on the collapse of a bridge in Minnesota Thursday,
on Taiwan's UN bid, on the DPP's "Normal Country Resolution" draft,
and on the legislative elections slated for January. Several papers
also carried U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey's
remarks on President Chen Shui-bian's transit request and a U.S.
visa waiver program at a Foreign Press Center briefing Wednesday.
In terms of editorials and commentaries, an editorial in the
pro-unification "United Daily News" criticized DPP presidential
candidate Frank Hsieh for contradicting himself in terms of his
discourse on Taiwan independence. End summary.
"Frank Hsieh Had Better Be Careful and Not Transform Himself into a
Taiwan Nazi"
The pro-unification "United Daily News" [circulation: 400,000]
editorialized (8/3):
"As expected, the remarks Frank Hsieh made during his visit to the
United States were greatly different from those he made after he
returned to Taiwan. He was saying one thing in the States but
something totally different in Taiwan. ... Following his trip to
the United States, the structure of Hsieh's discourse has basically
taken shape, but it is full of inconsistency. ...
"Hsieh denied 'Taiwan independence' [in the United States], which
made his discourse pretty hollow, and what's left is nothing but
Nazi-like 'ethnic struggles.' Just take a look at how Hsieh has
swung from one side to the other and has gone back on his word in
terms of his elaboration on Taiwan independence over the past few
weeks. ... Based on the DPP's 'Resolution on Taiwan's Future'
[passed in 1999], Hsieh announced his 'Three Nos' in the United
States -- namely, there is no need for a referendum on Taiwan
independence, for the Taiwan independence movements, and for Taiwan
to declare independence -- which is by nature anti-'de jure Taiwan
independence.' To everyone's surprise, after he returned to Taiwan,
he changed his story and said he will complete 'name change and the
writing of a new constitution' within five years, adding that this
is not 'de jure independence.' Hsieh opposed Taiwan independence
while in the United States but advocated it after he returned to
Taiwan. Can one not call such an incomplete discourse on Taiwan
independence something that 'deceives Hsieh himself and others?'
...
"Originally Hsieh was unique with his 'constitutional one China'
doctrine and his call for 'reconciliation and co-existence.' But
ever since [last year's] Taipei mayoral election, the DPP's
presidential primary, followed by his U.S. trip, Hsieh's discourse
on unification and independence has gone completely contradictory
and confusing. Given the controversies over his scandals and his
choice of a running mate, Hsieh's discourse has transformed and
become focused on 'Taiwan-style Nazism,' which is incompatible with
'Hsieh's Three Nos' and contradictory to Hsieh's call for
'reconciliation and co-existence.' Hsieh should keep himself
vigilant: How can he be regarded as a president who stands up as a
model for all the Taiwan people if he is viewed as a 'crafty and
deceptive' presidential candidate? ..."
YOUNG