US embassy cable - 05TAIPEI1925

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TAIPEI 001925 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PASS AIT/W 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PINR, CH, TW, Cross Strait Politics 
SUBJECT: LIEN DEPARTS AFTER FRIENDLY CALL WITH PRESIDENT 
CHEN 
 
REF: A. TAIPEI 1892 
     B. TAIPEI 1893 
 
Classified By: AIT Director Douglas Paal, Reason: 1.4 (B/D) 
 
1. (C) Summary: KMT Chairman Lien Chan departed Taipei for 
the Mainland April 26, a day after he spoke by phone with 
President Chen Shui-bian about his controversial trip.  Lien 
told the President that he would not do anything to infringe 
on the government's authority and promised to convey any 
substantive proposal from the PRC to the government after his 
return.  The two leaders agreed that, despite their 
differences on internal politics, they are on the "same side" 
when it comes to dealing with outside forces.  Lien sounded a 
similarly conciliatory line before boarding his plane for 
Hong Kong and Nanjing, stating that his visit would not 
undermine Taiwan's interests.  Lien's departure was marred by 
violent confrontations between extreme Green and Blue 
supporters at the airport.  The Presidential Office is 
planning to explore a second call or meeting between Chen and 
Lien after the KMT Chairman's return from the Mainland.  End 
Summary. 
 
Lien Departs on "Journey of Peace" 
---------------------------------- 
 
2. (SBU) KMT Chairman Lien Chan's party departed Taipei on 
April 26 for an eight day visit to Mainland China.  Lien 
plans to visit Nanjing, Shanghai, Xian, and Beijing.  On 
April 29, Lien is scheduled to meet with PRC President Hu 
Jintao and deliver a speech at Beijing University (Ref A). 
On the eve of his departure, Lien said he would seek to end 
the "civil war" mind-set that dominated past relations 
between Taiwan and Mainland China.  Lien was seen off at the 
airport by Taipei City Mayor Ma Ying-jeou and Legislative 
Speaker Wang Jin-pyng, both candidates to replace Lien in the 
upcoming KMT Chairman election.  People First Party (PFP) 
Chairman James Soong also unexpectedly showed up to wish Lien 
a successful voyage. 
 
Lien Phones Chen 
---------------- 
 
3. (C) On the eve of his departure, Lien spoke by phone with 
President Chen Shui-bian about his plans for the visit (Ref 
B).  Presidential Office Secretary Liu Shih-chung, who 
provided AIT a readout of the call, said the 11-minute 
discussion was cordial and warm.  Liu said that Lien opened 
the discussion with a five-minute explanation, all in 
Taiwanese, of his planned visit to the Mainland.  Lien 
thanked "brother" Chen for his endorsement and pledged not to 
do anything that would infringe on the government's 
authority.  Liu said the KMT Chairman also promised to report 
to the government if the PRC raised any substantive offer for 
future cross-Strait contacts.  Lien concluded by telling the 
President that "we're both on the same side and both on the 
same line" when it comes to advancing the national interests. 
 
4. (C) President Chen responded that "we're both from the 
same country" and told "Chairman Lien" that "despite our 
differences of opinion over domestic politics we both share a 
common interest in defending the principles of democracy, 
security, and peace."  Chen reiterated his support for Lien's 
visit, and said he had no doubt that Lien would abide by 
Taiwan's laws and "uphold the sovereignty and dignity" of the 
"Republic of China" and its 23 million people.  The President 
asked Lien to convey the Taiwan government's official 
position that the "ROC" is a sovereign and independent 
country and that the "ROC" does not belong to the "PRC," nor 
vice versa.  Chen said that his government is willing to 
improve cross-Strait relations, with the objective of 
creating a "Framework for Peace and Stability."  Liu said 
that Lien did not offer a direct reply to the President's 
request, instead stating only that the KMT's policy is "very 
flexible."  Chen closed the call by noting that this was the 
first conversation between the two men in four years.  Chen 
added that he hopes to speak with Lien soon after his return. 
 
 
Departure Marred by Airport Confrontation 
----------------------------------------- 
 
5. (C) Despite the positive atmosphere of the April 25 call, 
Lien's departure the following morning was marred by a series 
of violent confrontations between pro-independence and 
pro-unification extremists.  The Taiwan Solidarity Union 
(TSU) and Chinese New Party mobilized several hundred 
supporters to face off against each other in the airport's 
departure lounge.  Airport police were unable to effectively 
separate the opposing supporters, many of whom came armed 
with slings and sticks.  At least a dozen people were 
hospitalized following scuffles between the two groups and 
police.  Police were more successful in preventing a group of 
taxi drivers from blocking Lien's motorcade from reaching the 
airport VIP lounge.  The Presidential Office's Liu said the 
President was disappointed with the confrontation at the 
airport, especially since he had personally instructed 
Premier Frank Hsieh the evening before to ensure that there 
was sufficient police presence at Lien's departure to prevent 
a confrontation between Blue and Green activists. 
 
Atmospherics: Positive on Top, Friction Below 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
6. (SBU) Despite warm words at senior levels of the 
Presidential Office and KMT, lower ranking officials and 
legislators from the two camps continued to trade shots over 
Lien's visit.  KMT Spokeswoman Cheng Li-wen denied that 
Lien's April 25 phone call amounted to a "report" on his 
visit.  Chen administration officials have requested that 
Lien provide a report to the President in order to gain 
official sanction.  Shortly after the phone call, Mainland 
Affairs Council (MAC) Chairman Joseph Wu also convened a 
press conference to reiterate the government's warning to 
Lien against signing any agreements with the PRC during his 
visit.  Shortly after Lien's departure, Vice President 
Annette Lu told reporters that Lien's visit could "bring 
disaster" to Taiwan.  On the same day, Legislative Yuan (LY) 
Caucus leaders from the KMT and Democratic Progressive Party 
(DPP) blamed each other for the violence that occurred at the 
airport.  On the LY floor, Premier Hsieh was assailed by KMT 
legislators for providing insufficient security for Lien's 
departure and by DPP members for providing any security at 
all. 
 
Comment: Rare Display of Leadership 
----------------------------------- 
 
7. (C) Both Chen and Lien have thus far decided to stick to 
the high road, despite the mud-slinging that continues 
between their respective political bases.  Whether they can 
build from the April 25 phone call towards a more normalized 
relationship may depend on how Lien's visit plays in the 
Taiwan media and political world.  If Lien's visit is 
perceived as a success, it will keep pressure on Chen to 
maintain his recent moderate stance on Pan-Blue-PRC contacts. 
 While satisfied over Lien's promises to avoid sensitive 
topics during his visit, the Presidential Office remains 
concerned about what Lien may say in his April 29 speech at 
Beijing University and during his meeting with PRC President 
Hu.  Acerbic public commentary by senior figures in both 
camps is also a reminder that recent attempts at 
reconciliation do not enjoy widespread support among the 
rank-and-file on either side. 
PAAL