NORTHEAST ASIA PEACE AND SECURITY NETWORK
***** SPECIAL REPORT *****
March 23, 2000

"Repercussions of Taiwan's Election"

The election of Chen Shui-bian as the new president of Taiwan has occupied
the attention of much of the world in the past week. Analyses of the
political implications of the election for US-PRC, US-Taiwan, and
cross-strait relations have been prolific and varied.

The following report provides succinct overviews of the security-relevant
issues raised in some of these analyses. The overviews are accompanied by
numerous links to world-wide web sites for full articles and more detailed
information.

In this Report:
1. Cross Strait Relations
2. US Reactions
3. Military Reactions
4. Opinion Articles and Editorials
5. Future of the Nationalist Party
6. Official Government Statements


1. Cross Strait Relations

The most critically watched aspect of the Taiwan election has been the
reaction by the PRC and the effect that Chen Shui-bian's win would have on
the future of cross-strait relations. Chen's announcement that he believed
Taiwan and the PRC could sit down and talk about the 'one-China' policy
sparked guarded optimism among analysts and officials around the world.
However, many question whether the PRC believes or accepts Chen's peace
offering.

"China Unlikely to Grasp Taiwan Olive Branch"
http://news.ft.com/ft/gx.cgi/ftc?pagename=View&c=Article&cid=FT4Y5WI156C&liv
e=true&tagid=ZZZC19Q
UA0C&reuters=true

"Beijing Chilly to Taiwan Overture"
http://www.newsunlimited.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,149375,00.html

"Chen makes overture to Beijing"
http://www.washtimes.com/world/default-2000320224059.htm

"U.S. envoy encouraged by China's stance on Taiwan"
http://www.cnn.com/2000/ASIANOW/east/03/22/china.taiwan.ap/index.html

"Taiwan president-elect Seeks Peace With China"
http://www.insidechina.com/news.php3?id=143940

"China Says Negotiations With Taiwan Are Predicated on Belief in 'One
China'" http://interactive.wsj.com/articles/SB953558604288841078.htm

"Chinese Await Regime's Response to Island Vote"
http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/20000320/t000026535.html

"Taiwan Makes Goodwill Bows Toward China"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/2000-03/22/128l-032200-idx.html

"Starting with Practical Issues "
http://poll.appledaily.com.hk/taiwan/

"Change and No Change After Chen Assumes Power"
http://poll.appledaily.com.hk/taiwan/

"Let's See Chen Shui-bian's Deeds"
http://www.takungpao.com/

"Observe Taiwan's New Leader's Words and Deeds"
http://www.wenweipo.com/t3.html

"Implications of Taiwan's Elections"
http://www.hk.co.kr/

"Expectations for Taiwan's New Government"
http://www.joins.com/

2. US Reactions

US officials reacted quickly to the announcement of Chen Shui-bian as the
newly elected president of Taiwan, fearing an adverse reaction from the
PRC. US President Bill Clinton and National Security Advisor Sandy Berger
congratulated Chen on his win but also used the opportunity to encourage
the PRC and Taiwan to foster a new and peaceful relationship through
dialogue. Meanwhile, US Ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke
visited the PRC to gauge its reaction, and Lee Hamilton, a former US House
International Relations Committee chairman, visited Taiwan to reassure
continued US support.

"Unofficial US envoy says cross-Strait policy not to change"
http://asia.dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/asia/article.html?s=asia/headlines
/000323/asia/afp/Unofficial_US_envoy_says_cross-Strait_policy_not_to_change_
_president.html

"Unofficial US envoy meets with Taiwan's president-elect"
http://asia.dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/asia/article.html?s=asia/headlines
/000323/asia/afp/Unofficial_US_envoy_meets_with_Taiwan_s_president-elect.html

"Chen makes another overture but Beijing silent"
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/primenews.html

"China Warns Other Countries Not To Welcome Chen Shui-Bian"
http://www.insidechina.com/news.php3?id=145333

"Holbrooke In China, To Discuss Taiwan Situation"
http://www.insidechina.com/news.php3?id=143946

"China, Taiwan Should Seize Opportunity For Dialogue"
http://www.insidechina.com/news.php3?id=144244

"Chen's Historic Victory: High Tide For Domestic Reform"
http://www.taiwaninformation.org/view/us/yates031900.html

"Election Outcome Roils Policies Of U.S., Beijing Toward Taiwan"
http://interactive.wsj.com/articles/SB953494535957789687.htm

"Beijing opposes U.S. visit for Chen"
http://www.washtimes.com/world/default-2000322222358.htm

"US Obstructs Unification"
http://info.bta.net.cn/young/you_main.htm

3. Military Reactions

The Taiwan and PRC militaries are on high alert as both governments keep a
watchful eye across the Taiwan Straits. Despite US envoy to the PRC
Richard Holbrooke's view that the PRC has adopted a "watch-and-see"
attitude towards Taiwan, neither government is stepping down preparedness
for an attack.

"PLA newspaper details strategies to 'liberate' island"
http://www.scmp.com/News/../Special/TaiwanElection/Article/FullText_asp_Arti
cleID-20000320054336300.asp

"Military high alert to stay indefinitely"
http://www.scmp.com/News/../Special/TaiwanElection/Article/FullText_asp_Arti
cleID-20000320054336773.asp

"Fighter jets seen heading towards Fujian"
http://www.scmp.com/News/../Special/TaiwanElection/Article/FullText_asp_Arti
cleID-20000320054336013.asp

"PLA troops on high alert"
http://www.scmp.com/News/../Special/TaiwanElection/Article/FullText_asp_Arti
cleID-20000319224133413.asp

4. Opinion Articles and Editorials

The Taiwan presidential election garnered general praise from analysts and
editors across the US, who credited the democratic processes involved as a
positive sign for Taiwanese political development. The victory of Chen
Shui-bian and its implications on the future of US and cross-strait
relations, however, received a much more mixed review.

World-wide editorials
http://www.usia.gov/admin/005/wwwh0m21.html]

"The meaning of 'one China'"
http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/ed-column-200032319132.htm

"Nervous in Beijing"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A63666-2000Mar22.html

"Clarity on Taiwan"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41977-2000Mar19.html

"Taiwan's way of the future"
http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/ed-house-2000320185034.htm

"Uncertain Era for Taiwan"
http://www.latimes.com/news/comment/20000320/t000026556.html

"Gnat in the China shop"
http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/ed-column-2000322185031.htm

"Who Won? What Does It Mean?"
http://www.taiwaninformation.org/view/us/brown031800.html

5. Future of the Nationalist Party

The defeat of the Nationalist Party that controlled Taiwan for over fifty
years has caused demonstrations in Taipei and produced calls for
current-president Lee Lee Teng-hui's immediate resignation as head of the
Nationalists. Much speculation focuses on the future of the Nationalist
party and Taiwanese domestic politics.

"Lee to Quit on Friday"
http://www.scmp.com/News/Front/Article/FullText_asp_ArticleID-20000323015524
137.asp

"Taiwan president to resign as Nationalist Party chairman"
http://www.cnn.com/2000/ASIANOW/east/03/23/taiwan.china/index.html

"Death of a Party As the Nationalists implode, the winner prepares for
office" http://www.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/foc/2000/03/20/

"Outgoing Taiwan Leader to Quit as Head of Party"
http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/20000320/t000026516.html

"Chiang Kai-shek's legacy dies as pressure for freedom wins"
http://www.newsunlimited.co.uk/taiwan/Story/0,2763,148759,00.html

6. Official Government Statements

Governments in Taiwan, the PRC, Hong Kong, and the United States issued
official statements.

"The First Interview with president-elect Chen Shui-bian"
http://www.cnn.com/ASIANOW/time/features/interviews/taiwan.chen.html

"Jiang reiterates One-China principle"
http://chinadaily.com.cn.net/cover/storydb/2000/03/20/mnjiang.html

Hong Kong government statement
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200003/19/0318220.htm

US President Bill Clinton's statement
http://www.usia.gov/cgi-bin/washfile/display.pl?p=/products/washfile/geog/ea
&f=00031801.eea&t=/products/washfile/newsitem.shtml


[End of NAPSNet Special Report]