US embassy cable - 05TAIPEI4092

S E C R E T TAIPEI 004092 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/05/2030 
TAGS: MOPS, PREL, PTER, KAWC, PHUM, PREF, PINR, TW 
SUBJECT: TAIWAN MOFA AGREES TO CONSIDER RESETTLEMENT 
ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN DETAINEES FROM GUANTANAMO 
 
REF: STATE 183800 
 
Classified By: AIT Deputy Director David Keegan. Reasons 1.4(b,d) 
 
 1. (S) AIT Deputy Director met with Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs Director General for North American Affairs Victor 
Chin October 5 to request assistance in resettling the 
Chinese Uighurs who have been approved for release. Using the 
talking points provided reftel, DDIR summarized the 
situation; he noted that Taiwan has a small Islamic 
community, many who are originally from China's northwest or 
their descendents. This might provide a suitable environment 
for these individuals. 
 
2. (S) Chin agreed that it would make sense for Taiwan to 
consider helping on this issue, particularly given the 
importance of the U.S.-Taiwan relationship. He noted that 
arranging to accept such individuals would require the 
concurrence of several different agencies, including the 
Mainland Affairs Council (MAC). He said he would explore that 
issue quietly with inter-agency representatives. Once he had 
done so, he would contact AIT again to discuss more 
specifics. Chin noted that Taiwan's current government 
environment is highly politicized and it would be important 
to avoid political attention to this issue. He asked whether 
it might be possible to accept only some subset of the 
individuals in question and to select which ones to accept. 
DDIR said that it was his understanding this would be 
possible and that AIT would be happy to coordinate responses 
to any questions Taiwan might have on details. 
 
3. (S) Comment. Chin is both institutionally and personally 
inclined to find as many ways as possible to cooperate with 
the U.S.  However, his observation on Taiwan's highly 
politicized environment is very much on point, and that may 
make moving forward on this issue more difficult. DDIR 
expects to be seeing Chin again in a few days and will follow 
up. 
PAAL