本魯聽了傳統基金會亞洲研究中心主任Walter Lohman的演講，覺得台灣媒體並沒有準確報導Lohman的發言內容，所以就來練習一下英打。
Transcript of Reporters Interview with Walter Lohman
This interview was conducted after Tsai Ing-Wen made her speech “Meeting the Challenges Crafting a Model of New Asian Value” at the CSIS event held in Washington DC. Walter Lohman is the Director of The Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy at The Heritage Foundation Asian Studies Center.
Reporter: What do you think of Dr Tsai’s speech because there were two reporters asking about the 92 consensus problem and it seemed like she was avoiding it. What do you think about it? (Editted)
How do you think of Dr Tsai speech because it is like there is two reporters asking about the 92 consensus problem and the question about what she stands and it seems like she is avoiding, do you think about it? (Actual)
WL: I don’t think she avoid, I think she did address the issue in her speech. I mean the problem is that there is no consensus in Taiwan on what the 92 consensus means. So for an academic conference, I could see that she would talk about it at some length and she understands it very well; but I think in this situation I think she was wise to refer back to her speech where she very carefully chose the words and very particularly chose and constructed what she had to say about that. That is most important.
Reporter: Do you really want to listen to more details about what status quo really means?
WL: Well I mean to me, what doesn’t matter so much about 92 consensus, whatever kind of word she wants to use. For her to say that she wants to maintain the status quo across the straits, that says everything, to me; and I don’t think there is that much a difference the way we all understand what that means in the dictionary. Maybe we have slightly different things we mean by, slightly different, but I think everyone understands what status quo means and to hear her say that to me means more than whether she uses the words 92 consensus.
Reporter: Can you please evaluate Tsai’s speech today?
WL: Well I think she said all of the rights things and mostly what people wanted to hear about were cross-straits relation, because that is the element of the relationship that has the most potential to damage US-Taiwan relations. So I think that’s what everyone was waiting to hear and I think she delivered well on that. She gave some confidence that she could handle it and that she was interested in maintaining the status quo and she gave some indication that that wouldn’t upset the relationship. I think it is also important that she talked about US-Taiwan relationship going forward. No question that the US is Taiwan’s most important friend in the world. It is really important that she talk about that when she comes here, and what the future holds in store for US-Taiwan relations. So I was also very much reassured by that.
Reporter：How do you think the US government evaluated her speech on presenting Taiwan as a vital ally to the US government? Do you think the US government will really appreciate it? (Edited)
What do you think the US government opinion about how she is trying to present that Taiwan is a very good friend with the US government. And do you think the US government will really appreciate it? (Actual)
WL: I mean you all probably understand that it is a bi-partisan thing in Washington. Taiwan is universally respected and even loved by many people in Washington, more than any other place you find in the world. So yea, I think most people feel pretty good about US-Taiwan relations generally.
Reporter: Actually, I do not quite understand the status quo put forth by Tsai Ing-Wen. However, I do want to have your opinion on how she can maintain the status quo without accepted the 92 consensus requested by China. How is it possible? (Edited)
Actually, I am not trying to get the definition of the status quo, about how Tsai Ing-Wen. I do want to have your opinion about how she can do to maintain the status quo with China, because it is like China already request need to accept the 92 consensus. Without this, how can she make it? (Actual)
WL: To me the status quo is something real; it is not a matter of what kind of words you use, it is that she is not going to change Taiwan’s current status as recognized in the world. She is not going to push for some de-jure recognition of Taiwan’s independence. I think that from my definition is what status quo means.
Reporter: So you’re saying that there is still a chance for dialogue between Taiwan and Mainland without acknowledgement of the 92 consensus? (Edited)
So you’re saying that there is still a chance for dialogue between Taiwan and Mainland China on the base that no 92 consensus? (Actual)
WL: Well I mean that is up to mainland china, you know, they shouldn’t be dictating what the terms of debate are in Taiwan. She has to take the position, she has to take for Taiwanese people and then let the Chinese decide whether they want to talk in that context. She is not running as a Ma Ying Jeou successor KMT candidate. She is from a different party, and I think we recognize that in Washington so we expect some kind of differences in the way the two govern. But I think it is up to China whether they want to engage in or if they do not want to engage in the terms that the president of Taiwan wants them to engage with then that’s their problem. You can still maintain the status quo because I think the status quo is just maintaining the current willingness to talk, the currently agreements that have been signed, and not pushing for independence - that is de-jure independence.
Reporter: What is the significant message that Dr Tsai Ing Wen delivered to the US and to Mainland China?
WL: I think the main message she is delivering to Washington is you can trust me. And I think most people can trust her.
Reporter: Do you buy it?
WL: I buy it, I bought it the last time too.
