INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Media Reaction: State of the Union Address;

Published: Fri 31 Jan 2003 06:00 AM
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS COLOMBO 000183
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR INR/R/MR, I/RW, I/REC
SA/INS (FOR JWALLER); SA/PAB SA/RA (FOR SCENSNY)
SA/PD LJIRWIN, WREINCKENS, SHOVANEC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO OPRC KMDR OIIP ECPS OEXC
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: State of the Union Address;
Colombo
Ref: (A) SECSTATE 21822, (B) COLOMBO 0167,
(C) COLOMBO 0174
1. "Flights of fancy? We hope not"
Independent English daily, Daily Mirror, commented (1/31):
"The key phrase is `where it began'. Yes, it all began in
the United States, a country responsible for the mayhem
that the world is in today and the coming cataclysm.
"It is the United States lopsided policy that is denying a
peaceful solution to the Palestinian crisis ... denying
hundreds of millions of the world poor access to cheap and
quality medicine ... has dealt a death blow to the Kyoto
protocol on environment ... made the world criminal court
ineffective ... made the United Nations a puppet or a
talking shop ... brought the world to the verge of a third
world war. The list is longer, with human rights,
international law, exploitation of the developing world in
the name of globalisation and other key areas being
included.
"All this points to one thing -- the United States is
responsible for the world disorder. Hence, it all began
`here in our country'. Naturally, Bush did not see it in
this light in his State of the Union address."
2. "Will there be a US-Iraq war or not?"
Independent Tamil daily, Virakesari (1/31)
"According to President Bush's State of the Union address,
America will bomb Iraq before the end of March. This war
is going to put an end to everything and President Bush
says it cannot be averted.
"Bush has roused Americans, citing a connection between
Saddam's people and Al-Qaida rebels who attacked America,
the policeman of the world, on September 11. He has also
said that proof is available and will be submitted at an
appropriate time.
"If war breaks out it will be a serious threat to our
workers in the Middle East. We will be unable to expect
any employment in the region for well over a year. The
price of petroleum products will increase, and food will
once again become scarce. All of this will be a further
burden on our people who at present are paying through
their noses for their vegetables."
WILLS
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