Cablegate: Media Reaction: U.S.-China Military Relations, North Korea,

VZCZCXRO9766
RR RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #2958 2980853
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 250853Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6584
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS BEIJING 002958

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.-CHINA MILITARY RELATIONS, NORTH KOREA,
IRAN

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Editorial Quotes
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1. U.S.-CHINA MILITARY RELATIONS

"Increasing trust, eliminating doubts, and friendly cooperation"

The official Communist Party People's Daily (Renmin Ribao)
(10/24)(pg 3): "Major General Qian Lihua, Director of the Foreign
Affairs Office at the Ministry of National Defense, said that since
President Obama took office several U.S. military delegations have
been sent to China for discussions on military exchanges. However,
so far, these visits have been one-way engagements. The U.S. has
shown sincerity in improving China-U.S. military ties and China
appreciates this. Whether or not this positive trend can be
maintained steadily over the long term depends on the U.S.'s
attitude towards China's core interests, like the Taiwan issue,
which will be an important political foundation for the development
of bilateral military relations. This is a test and both the U.S.
and China should seize the opportunity and meet the challenge to
ensure the healthy and stable development of bilateral military
relations. As for the military transparency issue, Qian said that
transparency on 'strategic intentions' is the most important aspect
of military transparency, and China's strategic intentions are
completely transparent. The degree of transparency is also based on
mutual military trust. The Chinese government has always paid a
close attention to military transparency."

2. NORTH KOREA

"Will there be a shift in U.S.-North Korea relations?"

The official Communist Party People's Daily Overseas Edition(Renmin
Ribao Haiwaiban)(10/26)(pg 8): "U.S. policy on North Korea is always
changing since the Obama administration does not believe North Korea
will give up its nuclear programs. It may be possible to create an
opportunity for the U.S. and North Korea to meet at the Northeast
Asia Cooperation Dialogue forum to prepare for possible bilateral
talks. The U.S. and North Korea have had quite different focuses
with regard to possible bilateral talks. It remains to be seen
whether or not the forum can achieve positive results. On Northeast
Asia issues, China will insist that all parties respect each other's
core interests and will support U.S.-North Korea bilateral talks to
increase mutual trust and understanding. The Six-Party Talks are
still in the interest of Northeast Asian nations and the most
important framework to resolve the impasse in the region."

3. IRAN

"Iran defends its 'nuclear rights' by retreating"

The official Xinhua News Agency international news publication
International Herald Leader (Guoji Xianqu Daobao) (10/26)(pg 6):
"The international negotiations [over Iran's nuclear program],
although occasionally seeing positive signs, have not touched on the
crucial issues, like Iran's suspension of its uranium enrichment
activities. Experts believe that there is still a long way to go.
The series of positive moves made by Iran recently are seen by some
as an advance strategy of 'retreat'; Iran has not made any promises
on any of the crucial issues. Therefore, even if Iran agrees to
accept [IAEA Director General Mohammed] El-Baradei's nuclear fuel
deal, there will still not be any breakthrough on the Iranian
nuclear issue."

HUNTSMAN

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