Revelations that secret envoys from both sides held meetings prior to the first cross-strait talks in 1993 will further narrow the new government's maneuvering room with China, political analysts said yesterday.
Jia Yibin (
Given that the new information originates from Beijing, political analysts say it is a move to pressure Taiwan's new government into formal negotiations with a set agenda.
This is contrary to the stated aim of President Chen Shui-bian (
With the focus now on secret envoys it could be increasingly difficult for the two governments to work out details for future negotiations, like the pre-arranged Koo-Wang talks in 1993, analysts said.
"It would be difficult for President Chen to send secret envoys now, but this is a time when they are needed," said Hsu Szu-chien (
Secret envoys can address the core of the issue without bothering with formalities like the positions or names used by the negotiating parties, said Andy Chang (
"Beijing is letting the DPP know that they need to do more, given that the KMT way [of using secret envoys] can't even solve the problem," Chang said.
With the meeting of Chinese leaders in Beidaihe (
Analysts say divulging these secret exchanges may also signal an upcoming power struggle in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
"Who wants a peaceful settlement? For Jiang [Zemin] (
One China expert said the revelations could mean that President Jiang's critics might accuse him of betrayal.
"He's [Jiang] been talking with the arch-enemy [Lee], possibly cooperating, putting on a show ... it's very dangerous," the China watcher said.
Chinese President Jiang has publicly said that he hopes to solve the Taiwan problem before he steps down in 2002.
News of the secret meetings could be used by hardliners against Jiang, Hsu said.
"Maybe the hardliners in the CCP want to sabotage Jiang's plans," he said.
But Chang disagreed, saying there appear to be no challenges to Jiang's political power right now.
"It's easy to point to political instability on the mainland, but I think if the leak comes from Beijing, it's a move to put more pressure on Chen, rather than to push out Jiang," he said.
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