US embassy cable - 04TAIPEI3797

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TAIPEI 003797 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PASS AIT/W 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2013 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, TW 
SUBJECT: CHEN RESPONDS PUBLICLY TO USG CONCERNS OVER 
CONSTITUTION 
 
REF: A. TAIPEI 3782 
 
     B. TAIPEI 2662 
     C. TAIPEI 3162 
     D. TAIPEI 3563 
 
Classified By: AIT Director Douglas Paal, Reason: 1.4 (B/D) 
 
1. (C) Summary: President Chen Shui-bian used an open press 
meeting with a group of visiting U.S. Congressmen on November 
30 to respond to the State Department Spokesman's warning 
over constitutional revisions.  Chen stated that there has 
been no change to the policy line he articulated in his May 
20 inaugural address, October 10 National Day speech, and 
November "10 Points" policy statement.  Chen noted that the 
constitutional referendum he referred to on November 27 is 
consistent with the established constitutional processes. 
Other Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) officials echoed 
this theme in an effort to respond to Pan-Blue 
characterizations of the State Department statement as a USG 
rebuke to Chen over his recent campaign rhetoric.  End 
Summary. 
 
Chen Responds to U.S. Comments 
------------------------------ 
 
2. (C) Presidential Office Deputy Secretary General James 
Huang informed the AIT Director that President Chen Shui-bian 
used a November 30 press availability to respond to concerns 
raised by State Department Spokesman Boucher on November 29 
over Chen's recent references to a constitutional referendum. 
 During an open press meeting with a group of visiting U.S. 
Members of Congress, President Chen told reporters that he 
will not waver during his last term in office from his May 
20, 2004 inaugural promises.  Chen stated that Taiwan will 
conduct the upcoming round of constitutional revisions within 
the bounds of current constitutional procedures.  Chen 
explained that his recent statement about a constitutional 
referendum in 2006 (Ref A) referred to rules established 
under the draft set of constitutional provisions passed by 
the Legislative Yuan (LY) on August 23, 2004 (Ref B).  Chen 
added that he will not deviate from his 2000 "five no's 
pledge" and the policy platforms laid out in his May 20 
inauguration address, October 10 National Address (Ref C), 
and November 10 "10 Points" speech (Ref D).  (Note: Open 
press events are a common feature of presidential meetings 
with visiting dignitaries.  End Note.) 
 
3. (SBU) Presidential Office Deputy SecGen Huang held a 
subsequent press conference to amplify on the president's 
remarks and reiterate Taipei's willingness to engage with the 
U.S. and other international partners over the constitutional 
revision process.  In the course of the afternoon, the 
Premier, MOFA Spokesman, and DPP party officials echoed the 
president's line in their efforts to keep the State 
Department statement out of the pre-election media spotlight. 
 DPP LY Caucus Leader Tsai Huang-lang told reporters that the 
DPP would pursue constitutional revisions within the bounds 
set by President Chen's "five no's."  Tsai also noted that 
before constitutional revisions are submitted for approval by 
public referendum, they will require prior endorsement by 
three-quarters of the LY membership.  Tsai and other DPP 
officials said they would "communicate" this information to 
the U.S. side to clarify apparent "misunderstandings." 
 
Pan-Blue Hails Warning 
---------------------- 
 
4. (SBU) Pan-Blue officials quickly claimed that the 
Spokesman's remarks vindicated their recent assertions that 
Chen is leading Taiwan towards a cross-Strait crisis.  KMT 
Spokesman Chang Jung-kung characterized the State Department 
statement as a serious rebuke to President Chen and an 
indication that the USG fears a coming cross-Strait conflict. 
 People First Party (PFP) LY Caucus Leader Liu Wen-hsiung 
told reporters that the USG comments reflected the depth of 
problems that have arisen in cross-Strait ties under the Chen 
government. 
 
Comment: A Useful Reminder 
-------------------------- 
 
5. (C) The November 29 Spokesman's comments should serve as a 
useful reminder to Taiwan's political actors that the ongoing 
LY election campaign is not being conducted in a vacuum. 
Insiders may argue that USG public warnings have less direct 
impact on the ongoing political campaign as they did during 
the presidential race due to the localized nature of LY 
elections and the expected low turnout among conservative 
centrist voters.  Nevertheless, the DPP is eager to portray 
itself as the pro-American party -- and portray the 
opposition as anti-U.S. -- and thus may take the November 29 
statement as a warning that further rebukes will be 
forthcoming if Chen does not tone down his rhetoric. 
Taipei's quick reaction to the State Department statement 
serves as yet another reminder that public, as opposed to 
private, warnings are a highly effective means for focusing 
minds in Taiwan's media-driven political world. 
PAAL