Meeting of Taiwanese Organizations with Department of State (11/21/2008)

(11/21/2008)
Minutes of Meeting
Gerrit van der Wees, Formosan Association for Public Affairs
552 7th St. SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel.: (202) 547-3686, Fax: (202) 543-7891
DOS-2008-7. Department of State / AIT
John Norris, Barbara Schrage and Deena Parker
Place: AIT Rosslyn
Date: 21 November 2008, 2:00 pm
Visiting group: Ko Sebo, Bob Yang, Susan Chang, James Chen, Ben Liu, Gerrit
The meeting had been requested by the heads of the Taiwanese-American organizations, who flew into DC especially for the occasion. Schrage/Norris emphasized that the meeting was off the record. After a round of self-introductions Sebo gave an overview of the issues of concern: erosion of democracy & human rights, police brutality during Chen Yunlin’s visit, and judiciary abuse / arrests and detentions.
He emphasized that the lack of dialogue by the government had led to demonstrations and street action, and that the police action had created a repressive atmosphere reminiscent of martial law. He also stated that we are not against improving relations with China, but that Ma was moving way beyond what people wanted. Also said that Ma was moving Taiwan into the Chinese sphere of influence and making it a client state of China.
Bob Yang reminded Norris/Schrage of Bush’s statement that survival of liberty depends on the success of liberty in other lands. He stated that what transpired in Taiwan can only be interpreted as an erosion of democracy and human rights, and urged State / AIT that Ma should be taken to task, also by the US.
James Chen discussed the lack of transparency and accountability and raised the issue of possible secret negotiations between KMT & CCP. He also detailed the fact that the LY is not involved.
John Norris responded that the US is following it closely, and that AIT Director Steve Young has reached out to a broad spectrum in society. He said the US hoped that the agreements with China would lead to a better understanding, and stated that some of the initiatives were undertaken under the CSB administration.
On the domestic situation in Taiwan he stated that the legal system has to take its course, and that the expectation is that the judicial proceedings will take place in a fair, just and impartial manner. He asked whether in our view there was merit to the charges against CSB.
Sebo answered that the issue was not whether there was merit to the charges, but that the law should be applied fairly and evenly: he said that when Ma was charged he was not handcuffed or detailed, although the charges against him were identical to those against CSB. He also questioned why these actions were coinciding with Chen Yunlin’s visit.
Bob Yang questioned the faith the State Dept. had in the judicial process, and urged the US to be more proactive in emphasizing that the process should be scrupulously impartial. Gerrit added that it is questionable whether any of the detained persons – including CSB – can have a fair trial.
Sebo stated that the Ma Administration went way overboard, and that the dignity of former officials had been severely violated. He urged State to make clear that it did not in any way condone or agree with the actions of police and prosecutors. He referred to the joint statement of 20 scholars, and emphasized that the Ma Administration was very sensitive to the US position.
Susan discussed the leakage of information by the prosecutors to the press, and was critical of State Dept. spokesperson McCormick for not mentioning this as a fundamental flaw.
Bob and Sebo also commented on McCormick’s statement, saying that in Taiwan it was interpreted as an endorsement of Ma’s policies. Norris responded that it meant “we are watching closely.”
Barbara recalled that she had been in Taiwan at the embassy in the 1970s. She assured us that the US is watching carefully, and also that she felt it was important for the people on the island themselves to be vigilant. She asked what the reaction of the young people/students was.
Susan responded that her son was in Taiwan and that through him she knew that the students were shocked at how it come have come to this. She referred to the “Wild Strawberries”, and Sebo described that the students used to be rather a-political, but that the present developments galvanized them into action.
Bob Yang referred to Jerome Cohen’s article, which emphasized that “preventive detention” should be used rarely, and urged State to be more outspoken and less conservative. He also recounted how in the US demonstrations had already taken place in NYCity, LA and Houston.
Norris reiterated that the US expected the Taiwan legal system to handle it fairly, and said that he supported improvement of XStrait relations.
Bob and Sebo emphasized that the US should be more forceful in emphasizing US core values, explaining that the McCormack statement could be interpreted either way.
Susan closed the session by asking if the new Obama Administration would have new policies (“we can believe in”). Norris responded that he couldn’t speak for the new Administration, but that it was the expectation that the priorities would be on Iraq, Afghanistan, and that for East Asia there would be continuation.