VZCZCXRO8003
RR RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #2945 2950830
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 220830Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6568
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
UNCLAS BEIJING 002945
DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/CM, EAP/PA, EAP/PD, C
HQ PACOM FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR (J007)
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ECON KMDR OPRC CH
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S. SUDAN POLICY, JCCT,
AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN
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Editorial Quotes
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1. U.S. SUDAN POLICY
"Subtle changes"
The official Communist Party People's Daily (Renmin Ribao)(10/23)(pg
3): "The Obama administration's new strategy on Sudan signifies that
the U.S. government has subtly changed its attitude towards the
government in Sudan from one of 'sanctions' to one of 'dialogue.'
The U.S. is also focusing on both long-term and short-term issues in
Sudan, rather than on just short-term issues. The U.S. has adopted
a more active attitude towards Sudan. This policy adjustment is
both flexible and realistic. However, whether or not the U.S. can
implement this new strategy remains to be seen. Some aspects of the
new strategy remain unchanged and are still obstacles for the
improvement of U.S.-Sudan relations."
2. JCCT
"Three U.S. departments low-profile on JCCT outreach"
Guangdong 21st Century Publishing Company Ltd.'s business newspaper
21st Century Business Herald (21Shiji Jingji Baodao)(10/23)(pg 3):
"Washington scholars believe that the fact that the U.S. has taken
such a low-profile approach [in the media] towards the upcoming
Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) indicates that the
meeting will not achieve any significant results. It also reflects
the current subtleties in U.S.-China trade and economic relations.
The IPR issue will be the major focus of the JCCT. However, U.S.
officials have not given any clear indications on discussing the
market economy position of China. They have also been vague about
whether or not the RMB exchange rate issue will be included in the
agenda. The U.S.-China trade policy still faces a severe challenge
since high unemployment in the U.S. will continue until at least the
end of the year."
3. AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN
"Little chance of winning the 'Afghanistan and Pakistan War'"
Guangdong 21st Century Publishing Company Ltd.'s business newspaper
21st Century Business Herald (21Shiji Jingji Baodao)(10/23)(pg 2):
"The 'Afghanistan and Pakistan War' is an extension of the war in
Afghanistan. Obama has clearly shifted his diplomatic focus to
Afghanistan and Pakistan and has been trying hard to remedy Bush's
quagmire in Iraq. However, he is likely to fall into another
quagmire. It is useless for the U.S to send endless troops to
Afghanistan, since the Europeans are not interested in this matter
and the United States' foes, the Taliban and al-Qaeda, are always
hidden in the dark. The so-called 'War on Terror' is very different
from a traditional war. The suffering in a traditional war is
short, whereas a new war like the 'War on Terror' will never end and
is full of political stratagems, military frustration, extremist
hysteria, and the blood and tears of the civilian population. It is
not wise for Obama to shift the focus from Iraq to Afghanistan and
Pakistan. If the U.S. really wants to fight against terrorists, the
most effective way to do so is to seek the cooperation of multiple
parties. Additional economic assistance could also bring more
benefits to the local people and decrease the influence of the
Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Endlessly increasing troops will cause the
U.S. to spend more than it can afford. At this point, [University
of Chicago historian] John Mearsheimer's 'offshore balancing
strategy' is cleverer than the military resolution advocated by the
neo-conservatives."
HUNTSMAN