US embassy cable - 05TAIPEI1841

C O N F I D E N T I A L TAIPEI 001841 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PASS AIT/W 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2015 
TAGS: PREL, TW, VT 
SUBJECT: VATICAN ASKS TAIWAN NOT TO SEND SENIOR OFFICIALS 
TO PAPAL INAUGURAL 
 
 
Classified By: AIT Director Douglas Paal, Reason: 1.4 (B/D) 
 
1. (C) National Security Council (NSC) Senior Advisor Lin 
Jin-chang told AIT April 19 that the Vatican Foreign Ministry 
has requested that Taiwan not send any ranking official to 
ceremonies to inaugurate the next Pope.  Lin said the 
Vatican's list of "ranking officials" includes the President, 
Vice President, Premier, Foreign Minister, Minister of 
National Defense, and Speaker of the Legislative Yuan (LY). 
Lin said that Taipei had not intended for President Chen 
Shui-bian to attend the upcoming ceremonies, but has been 
considering dispatching either the Foreign Minister or 
Legislative Speaker. 
 
2. (C) Lin said Taipei is puzzled over the apparent 
downgrade, adding that Vatican officials did not provide a 
clear explanation for the request.  Given the formal 
diplomatic relationship between Taiwan and the Holy See, Lin 
said that it would be natural for Taipei to send a senior 
level official to such ceremonies.  Lin asserted that 
President Chen carefully followed ground rules for his 
attendance at ceremonies for John Paul II, including by 
refusing requests for interviews from Italian and 
international media outlets.  Lin asked if the USG had any 
insights into the Vatican request. 
 
3. (C) Comment: The Vatican's request for a low-profile 
Taiwan presence at upcoming inaugural ceremonies may be aimed 
at giving the new Pope a clean slate to deal with the PRC 
over the range of issues left unresolved by John Paul II, 
including the Vatican's recognition of Taiwan.  While Chen 
may have kept a low profile on the ground in Rome, the Taiwan 
media loudly hailed his attendance at the ceremonies as a 
major diplomatic coup and reaffirmation of the strength of 
Taiwan-Vatican ties.  The PRC's strong public condemnation of 
Chen's attendance at the memorial may have also convinced 
Vatican diplomats that future negotiations with Beijing may 
be greatly complicated by these sorts of high-profile visits. 
PAAL