Raymond F. Burghardt, Director of the American Institute in Taiwan, welcomes the results of the recent election and says that Washington is looking forward to working with the Chen Administration on a full range of issues.
Raymond F. Burghardt has been Director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) since the end of August last year, having previously served as US Consul General in Shanghai and as Deputy Chief of Mission in Manila and Seoul. Before that, with the National Security Council he was Special Assistant to President Reagan and Senior Director of Latin American Affairs. Between 1987 and 1989 he was based in the US Embassy in Beijing. This wealth of experience, coupled with his present position as the United States' most senior (if unofficial) representative in Taiwan, makes his assessment of the island's changing political landscape unique. He met with the Taipei Review on the last day of March to discuss the implications of the recent presidential election for US -Taiwan relations. Excerpts from the interview follow.
Taipei Review: What is the American reaction to Chen Shui-bian's victory in Taiwan's elections? What does this say about democracy in Taiwan?
Raymond F. Burghardt: We congratulate Chen Shui-bian on his victory in Taiwan's presidential election. This election demonstrates clearly the strength and vitality of Taiwan's democracy. We respect the decision of the people on Taiwan and strongly support Taiwan's democracy. We haven't favored any party or any candidate and would not in any way second- guess the decisions made by the people on Taiwan.
We look forward to developing constructive unofficial relations with the new leadership in the interests of preserving peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
As the result of your observations, are you satisfied that the presidential election was a fair process?
Yes, I am, actually. I think that no election is ever 100 percent pure. There have been irregularities called in this election--Mr. Soong has called some, and I think the DPP have said they've seen some, but assuming those charges are correct, still it would be at a fairly low level. I think no one has charged that any irregularities which might have occurred have affected the outcome. So it was a very open and fair process.
How will the US position toward Taiwan change, considering the new DPP administration? Will there be any change in Washington's Taiwan policy?
AIT will continue to conduct close ties with the people on Taiwan in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act and the US "One China" policy as embodied in the three US-PRC communiqués.
The American Institute in Taiwan was established by the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 with the clear responsibility to conduct cultural, commercial, and other exchanges between the people of the United States and the people on Taiwan. Our work at AIT in the last twenty-one years has contributed to developing strong, warm, mutual ties with Taiwan, and we expect that relationship to continue, no matter which political party is in power in Taiwan.
We look forward to working with President-elect Chen's administration on the full range of issues of mutual interest between the United States and Taiwan.
If Defense Minister Tang Fei gets the premiership, how is Washington going to feel about that?
We have worked very closely with Tang Fei in the past and we know him well. He's been excellent. I'd expect our dealings with him as premier to be just as good. So from our perspective it's an excellent choice.
What effect will the election have on US efforts to secure permanent Normal Trade Relations status for China in connection with its accession to the WTO? Do you have any reaction to Chen Shui-bian's reported statement of support for normalization of US-PRC trade relations?
We appreciate Chen Shui-bian's statement quoted in the Los Angeles Times expressing support for "normalization" of US-PRC trade relations. We strongly believe permanent normal trade relations between the United States and the PRC is in the interests of America and the PRC, as well as Taiwan.
Chen also indicated that he looks forward to the accession of both the PRC and Taiwan to the WTO. Washington strongly supports WTO accession for both the PRC and Taiwan on their commercial merits.
China's accession to the WTO and our provision of permanent Normal Trade Relations that goes with it will increase China's participation in a predictable, transparent, and rules-based international system and increase its stake in regional peace and stability. The combination of Taiwan and PRC accessions to the WTO will encourage further strengthening of cross-strait economic ties.
What effect will the new president likely have on trade and development in Taiwan and across the strait?
We believe cross-strait economic ties serve the interests of both Taiwan and the PRC and are conducive to peace and security in the region. We urge both sides of the Strait to resume dialogue to resolve peacefully the problems between the two sides.
What effect will this DPP presidency have on cross-strait relations? Has it changed the security situation or the US position toward Taiwan's security?
During the election, all the candidates made clear their hopes for restoration of constructive dialogue with the PRC. We believe the election provides a fresh opportunity for both sides to reach out and resolve their differences peacefully through dialogue. We note that both sides have made statements indicating an interest in resuming dialogue. As we've said many times, it is up to the two sides to determine what the basis for that dialogue is. The United States strongly supports such dialogue and is committed to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
US policy is clear and long-standing. We are guided by the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979: It is the policy of the United States to "consider any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means...a threat to the peace and security of the western Pacific area and of grave concern to the United States."
What can you tell us about former US Congressman Lee Hamilton's visit to Taiwan the week following the election?
Mr. Hamilton came to visit Taiwan in a private capacity. President Clinton welcomed his willingness to travel to Taiwan, and senior administration officials have spoken with Mr. Hamilton since the election. In addition to being familiar with the president's thinking, Mr. Hamilton is well-acquainted with the views of senior members of Congress.
On his departure from Taiwan, Mr. Hamilton noted that he was impressed with President-elect Chen's prudent and positive statements on cross-strait relations.
In a speech you made last December, you stressed that since Taiwan is a democracy, any solution to cross-strait problems must ultimately be acceptable to the Taiwan public. Is a deal with Taiwan something that needs to be sold to the bulk of the PRC's population too?
The mainland does not have a political system in which public opinion is easily measured. Certainly, the leaders on the main land do have to deal with nationalistic pressures to achieve reunification with Taiwan. So while it's not a democratic system under which the popular will is clearly expressed, I suppose that the leadership of the mainland feel they can't ignore it.