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DE RUEHIN #0301/01 0780251
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O 190251Z MAR 09
FM AIT TAIPEI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1151
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHHJJAA/JICPAC HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 1897
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0113
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHHMUNA/USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 TAIPEI 000301 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/TC 
STATE PASS USTR FOR STRATFORD AND ALTBACH, TREASURY FOR 
OASIA/WINSHIP AND PISA, NSC FOR LOI, COMMERCE FOR 
4431/ITA/MAC/AP/OPB/TAIWAN,USDA FOR FAS/OCRA RADLER AND 
BEILLARD; FAS/OSTA FOR WETZEL, HAMILTON,DAWSON, AND 
SHNITZLER; FAS/ONA FOR BERTSCH AND FAS/OFSO FOR WAINIO 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2019 
TAGS: PREL GPGOV ECON ETRD EAGR MARR WHO CH TW
SUBJECT: AIT CHAIRMAN BURGHARDT'S MARCH 18 MEETING WITH 
TAIWAN PRESIDENT MA YING-JEOU 
 
Classified By: The Director for reasons 1.4(b/d) 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1. (C) The Obama administration views progress in 
cross-Strait relations in very positive terms, visiting AIT 
Chairman Burghardt told President Ma Ying-jeou during their 
March 18 meeting.  U.S. officials have made clear both 
publicly and in private with Chinese officials that the 
United States remains committed to providing for Taiwan,s 
legitimate defense needs.  President Ma indicated Taiwan,s 
top priority in cross-Strait relations is concluding a 
framework trade agreement and also hopes to reach an 
agreement this May allowing Taiwan to participate in WHO 
activities.  The Health Minister,s suggested phased opening 
of Taiwan,s beef market is too slow, too timid and will only 
increase growing U.S. frustration with the issue, Burghardt 
cautioned.  He urged Ma to hurry the process to its 
conclusion.  End Summary. 
 
Ma, Burghardt Review Positive Trends in Ties 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (U) President Ma Ying-jeou began his March 18 meeting with 
AIT Chairman Raymond Burghardt with a press spray, reviewing 
the progress his administration has made since its May 2008 
inauguration towards improving cross-Strait ties and 
Taiwan,s relations with the United States.  He cited 
agreements allowing cross-Strait flights, U.S. approval of 
the sale of $6.4 billion in arms, Taiwan,s decision to join 
the WTO,s Government Procurement Agreement (GPA), the U.S. 
decision to remove Taiwan from its Special 301 IPR watchlist 
and the January agreement that allows Taiwan to participate 
in the WHO,s International Health Regulations (IHR) system. 
The President noted that the U.S. and Taiwan have a number of 
other issues under discussion, including Taiwan,s interest 
in FTA talks, its request to be included in the U.S. visa 
waiver program, the need for a bilateral extradition 
agreement and the U.S. request that Taiwan fully open its 
beef market.  Relations between the United States and Taiwan 
are strong, Ma said, noting that the 30th anniversary of the 
signing of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) is approaching. 
While there were concerns about the TRA at the time it was 
signed, it has proven to be a key to maintaining stability in 
the region. 
 
¶3. (U) Chairman Burghardt conveyed the warm regards of the 
Obama administration, which views the progress in 
cross-Strait relations in very positive terms.  Improving 
relations not only helps make the region more stable, he 
said, but also is bringing practical benefits to people on 
Taiwan as well as to Americans doing business in the region. 
The United States applauds the progress Taiwan has made and 
looks forward to talking in depth about the issues raised by 
the President. 
 
U.S. Committed to Taiwan Relationship 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (C) After the media left, Burghardt emphasized that Deputy 
Secretary Steinberg and Deputy National Security Advisor 
Donilon had asked him to convey the Obama Administration,s 
commitment to further strengthening all aspects of the 
U.S.-Taiwan relationship ) security, economics and trade, 
and relations with the international community.  During her 
recent trip to Asia, he noted, Secretary Clinton reaffirmed 
publicly Asia,s importance to the United States and, in her 
meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang, privately 
stressed the U.S. belief that arms sales to Taiwan contribute 
to cross-Strait stability.  The Secretary also emphasized to 
Yang that public health concerns make it essential Taiwan be 
able to participate in WHA activities.  The fact that, in 
contrast to previous meetings between Yang and the Secretary, 
 
TAIPEI 00000301  002 OF 003 
 
 
Taiwan was not a major issue suggests that China is 
comfortable with the state of cross-Strait relations, 
Burghardt said. 
 
Economics, ECFA Main Cross-Strait Focus 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶5. (C) This public U.S. support for cross-Strait 
rapprochement is essential given Taiwan,s domestic political 
environment, Ma emphasized.  The opposition DPP,s claim that 
the United States is not happy with his administration,s 
efforts to improve relations with China and the recent media 
frenzy surrounding efforts to conclude an Economic 
Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) illustrate the 
challenges his government faces.  Despite the fact that ECFA 
is a purely economic agreement, the media and opposition DPP 
party are suggesting it would compromise Taiwan,s 
sovereignty and undermine its economy.  This is not true, Ma 
stressed, and the government plans to respond through a 
series of symposiums and hearings to explain that ECFA is 
simply a framework under which concrete agreements can be 
negotiated.  Taiwan will not pursue these specific agreements 
unless there is domestic consensus in favor of them, Ma 
insisted, citing the shoe industry as an example of a sector 
not ready to be opened to Chinese imports. 
 
¶6. (C) The ASEAN 1 trade agreement goes into force on January 
1, 2010, Ma emphasized, and it is essential that Taiwan make 
progress on its own deal with Beijing before then.  There are 
three reasons for doing so.  First, it will normalize a 
cross-Strait trading relationship that exceeds $130 billion 
in annual two-way trade.  It will also help Taiwan avoid 
being marginalized as others in the region integrate their 
economies more closely.  Finally, Ma said, it will allow 
Taiwan to discuss free trade arrangements with countries now 
unwilling to get ahead of Taiwan-China rapprochement.  If 
Beijing agrees to a trade arrangement with Taiwan, it is less 
likely to block other countries from doing so, Ma explained. 
While it is too late to include an ECFA on the formal agenda 
of the next round of SEF-ARATS talks this spring, it should 
be possible to reach a deal by year,s end. 
 
¶7. (C) Stressing the importance of having a broad popular 
consensus in support of the Ma administration,s China 
policy, Burghardt asked about the state of the KMT,s 
relations with the opposition DPP.  Ma noted that he had made 
numerous offers to meet with Tsai Ing-wen, but the DPP 
Chairman either ignored them or put forward unacceptable 
preconditions.  Tsai,s latest ploy, Ma said, was an offer to 
debate the virtues of Ma,s economic engagement policy.  We 
had that debate one year ago (i.e., during the March 2008 
presidential election) and the DPP lost, Ma said. 
Nevertheless, the KMT will continue to search for ways to 
reach out to the DPP and DPP voters and will submit any final 
deal to the legislature for approval. 
 
International Space: Cautious on WHA, &Truce8 Holding 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
¶8. (C) The United States wants to help Taiwan expand its 
international space, Burghardt said, but also does not want 
to get in the way.  Specifically, he asked whether the 
President had additional details to share about Taiwan,s 
effort to secure observer status for the May meeting of the 
World Health Assembly, noting the President,s recent comment 
to the media that direct talks on the issue would take place 
soon.  Taiwan has a way to discuss the issue with China, Ma 
replied, with talks likely to take place later in March or 
sometime in April.  While it is encouraging that PRC Taiwan 
Affairs Office head Wang Yi expressed &cautious optimism8 
that a solution can be found, Ma said, China can be a 
difficult negotiator. 
 
¶9. (C) In other areas, Ma said, efforts to preserve Taiwan,s 
 
TAIPEI 00000301  003 OF 003 
 
 
international space are relatively calm.  It seems clear, he 
said, that China discouraged some Taiwan allies from 
switching diplomatic recognition but otherwise it does not 
appear that China,s foreign affairs system is actively 
seeking to improve relations.  For its part, Taiwan is taking 
steps to reassure what Ma described as &jittery8 allies 
that it will continue to be a good partner.  Ma noted that he 
was considering attended Presidential inaugurations in Panama 
and El Salvador this summer, if invited.  (In a subsequent 
meeting, National Security Council Secretary General Su Chi 
said MOFA was recommending that Ma attend both but he 
personally thought the President should choose one or the 
other.)  Ma made it clear, though, that he had told Taiwan 
ambassadors to avoid the &less savory8 practices used in 
the past to woo allies. 
 
Beef Liberalization &Too Slow and Too Timid8 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶10. (C) Noting that he had discussed the issue the previous 
day with Vice President Siew, Burghardt expressed strong 
concern about the suggestion made by Health Minister Yeh that 
Taiwan phase in the opening of its market to U.S. beef, 
beginning with bone-in beef in May or June.  Such an approach 
is &too slow and too timid,8 the Chairman emphasized.  The 
issue is not going away and, in fact, agriculture issues are 
coming under increasing scrutiny by the administration and 
its friends in Congress.  The Health Minister is testing the 
water, Ma said, afraid that moving too quickly will be 
counter-productive. 
 
¶11. (C) Burghardt followed up on the issue during a lunch 
hosted by NSC Secretary General Su Chi.  The Director 
reviewed his recent discussion with Health Minister Yeh on 
opening Taiwan's market to all U.S. beef products, during 
which Yeh raised the specter of a slow, phased opening of the 
market.  Taiwan needs to make a political decision and act 
quickly, the Director urged, noting the high level of 
frustration in Washington.  Opening the market quickly would 
send a message of good will.  Agreeing on the importance of 
putting this issue behind us, Su Chi said he would seek a 
meeting with Minister Yeh later this week to push the process 
along. 
 
DRAM Consolidation 
------------------ 
 
¶12. (SBU) Noting that Taiwan Memory Company coordinator John 
Hsuan will be visiting the Idaho headquarters of Micron later 
in the week, Burghardt suggested that such a private 
partnership would send a strong public signal about the 
overall health of the relationship.  Taiwan,s policy, Ma 
emphasized, is to support the DRAM industry without getting 
bogged down in the details of running the sector or debts it 
has already incurred.  Taiwan,s industry needs government 
help and the right technology to allow it to compete with 
Korean companies.  Ma agreed that Hsuan is a strong choice 
for the position and a respected leader in the industry.  He 
agreed that Micron's participation should be given careful 
consideration. 
 
Participants 
------------ 
 
¶13. (U) President Ma was accompanied by NSC Secretary General 
Su Chi, VFM Andrew Hsia, MOFA North American Affairs Division 
DG Harry Tseng, MOFA U.S. Desk Director Douglas Hsu and MOFA 
Desk Officer Johnson Jiang.  Chairman Burghardt was 
accompanied by the Director, EAP/TC Director Ted Mann, AIT 
Pol Chief, and AIT PolOFF Deanna Kim. 
 
¶14. (U) Chairman Burghardt has cleared this message. 
YOUNG