US embassy cable - 05TAIPEI4646

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TAIPEI 004646 
 
SIPDIS 
 
EAP/TC; EAP- PLEASE PASS TO AIT/W BSCHRAGE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/21/2015 
TAGS: KPAO, PGOV, PREL, TW 
SUBJECT: KMT SPOKESWOMAN OUTLINES PARTY'S PRE AND POST 
ELECTION STRATEGY 
 
 
Classified By: DIR Douglas H. Paal, Reason 1.4(D) 
 
1. (SBU)  AIT's Public Affairs Section (PAS) is looking at 
media strategies and public platforms of Taiwan's main 
political parties in the run-up to the December 3 elections. 
This is the first in a series and will be followed by a 
snapshot of the DPP. During a November 18 meeting with AIT at 
opposition Kuomingtang (KMT) headquarters, KMT Spokeswoman 
Cheng Liwun described the party line regarding the December 3 
elections, post-election strategy, and media relations. 
Cheng explained that the KMT will focus on party reform after 
the elections, and she was unable to clarify the party's 
stance on U.S. arms procurement. 
 
Election Focal Points 
--------------------- 
 
2. (SBU)  Regarding the upcoming December 3 local elections, 
Cheng stated that the KMT is particularly focused on Taipei 
County, Ilan County, and Chiayi City, the latter two because 
the KMT has a real chance of winning these pan-green 
strongholds for the first time.  The KMT is also looking 
closely at Yunlin, Nantou, Changhua, and Pingtung Counties, 
all very close races which the KMT has a good chance of 
winning. 
 
3. (SBU)  On election strategy, Cheng stressed the importance 
of grassroots activities, noting how the Democratic 
Progressive Party (DPP) had come to power largely on the 
strength of its grassroots support whereas the KMT has 
ignored and, consequently, lost much of its grassroots 
support in recent years. 
 
Post-Election Priorities for the KMT 
------------------------------------ 
 
4. (SBU)  Cheng emphasized that after the December 3 
elections, KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou must deliver on his 
campaign promise of party reform, including tackling the 
issue of excess KMT property and buildings.  He will also try 
to recruit younger members to the party in an effort to 
create a new image for the KMT. 
 
No Policy on Arms Procurement 
----------------------------- 
 
5. (SBU)  Cheng became visibly uncomfortable when asked about 
the KMT's stance and post-election strategy on U.S. arms 
procurement.  She stated that the KMT is still looking into 
the issue and has its own internal policymaking procedures, 
and she was unable to further clarify the KMT's policy on 
this issue. 
 
Taiwan Media: Scandals, No Policy Debate 
---------------------------------------- 
 
6. (SBU)  Cheng criticized the Taiwan media for its lack of 
professionalism and focus on scandals rather than real policy 
debate.  According to Cheng, most Taiwan media outlets are 
owned by businessmen, so ratings take precedence over good 
journalism.  Lack of adequate training for journalists 
compounds this problem.  Furthermore, she noted that the 
media has to look for financial support from the government 
and, thus, cannot criticize the ruling government too openly. 
 Cheng expressed high hopes that the newly created National 
Communications Commission (NCC) will help the Taiwan media 
gain greater independence from government interference. 
 
7. (SBU)  Cheng stated that since the Taiwan public is more 
interested in scandals, KMT policy briefings enjoy little, if 
any, media coverage.  She claimed that the "DPP is only 
interested in scandals" and wants to avoid a serious policy 
debate with the KMT. 
 
Ma the KMT Mouthpiece 
--------------------- 
 
8. (SBU)  Because it is so difficult to get the KMT message 
out to the public, Cheng stated that Chairman Ma is 
instrumental in this regard since people actually want to 
listen to him.  The KMT has been and will continue to use Ma 
as the party mouthpiece.  Cheng denied rumors of divisions 
within the KMT, asserting that the KMT only has a single, 
unified message coordinated within the party.  She affirmed 
that Ma has a central role in devising the KMT's public 
message. 
 
"Must Read" Papers, "Must Watch" TV 
----------------------------------- 
9. (SBU)  Cheng maintained that there is no single newspaper 
or TV station that represents KMT views.  However, when 
pressed, she stated that the "must read" Chinese language 
newspapers are the centrist China Times (circulation: 
700,000) and conservative United Daily News (circulation: 
650,000).  (Note: The Central Daily News is considered to be 
a mouthpiece of the KMT, but it has a very limited 
circulation of about 80,000.  End Note).  She also said that 
TVBS is a "must watch" TV station. 
 
10. (C) Comment: Cheng Liwun was a DPP member for over a 
decade before being drummed out for criticizing a fellow DPP 
member.  Chosen in January to be KMT spokeswoman, she was 
clearly recruited because she represents the "new generation" 
of the KMT: young, energetic, attractive, outspoken and 
interested in the grassroots.  She still clearly carries 
strong animosity toward the DPP.  End Comment. 
Paal