VZCZCXRO6582
RR RUEHCN RUEHGH
DE RUEHBJ #0080 0130909
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 130909Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7595
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
UNCLAS BEIJING 000080
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 SENV KGHG KMDR OPRC CH
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-JAPAN ALLIANCE, U.S. POLICY, NORTH
KOREA
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Editorial Quotes
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1. U.S.-JAPAN ALLIANCE
"Where should U.S.-Japan alliance go?"
The official Xinhua Daily Telegraph (Xinhua Meiri Dianxun)(01/13)(pg
8): "Experts say that if an alliance is running well, there is no
need to reiterate its importance. However, U.S.-Japan relations
have seen some friction over the Futenma base and the U.S.-Japan
[secret (nuclear) deal issues. Neither the U.S. nor Japan has
mentioned weakening the alliance. Japan has requested a decrease in
its burden, while the U.S. hopes that it won't negatively influence
its military strategy. Such conflicts will go on, but there is
little possibility that the alliance will undergo a major change.
Japan's long-term goal is to be a normal country. However, at
present, the biggest obstacle is the U.S. The recent contradictions
between the two are in fact the Hatoyama cabinet's tentative
measures toward the U.S. If the U.S.-Japan alliance undergoes any
changes, the U.S.-Japan bilateral relations and even the strategic
situation in the Asia-Pacific will be severely influenced."
2. U.S. POLICY
"'Quiet diplomacy' and 'smart power' in the present world"
The official intellectual publication Guangming Daily (Guangming
Ribao)(01/13)(pg 8): "The changes in the world's situation reflect
the profound changes in the international political and economic
structure, the balance of international forces and the significant
difference between the development of and the reality of a situation
that some western countries envisioned years ago. Frequently
imposing high-profile pressure, forcefully pushing values on to
developing countries, and showing military strengths are less and
less likely to be effective. Policy adjustments are needed in order
to confirm this trend. 'Quiet diplomacy' which was pledged by the
EU Foreign Minister and 'smart power' which is being promoted by the
U.S. Secretary of State are both aimed at advancing their countries'
and the two major Western economies' own interests. People hope to
see less noise, more understanding and communication with each other
within developed countries' foreign policy."
3. NORTH KOREA
"The U.S. refuses North Korea's advice on peace talks"
The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(01/13)(pg 2): "The U.S. has refused the North
Korean Foreign Ministry's advice about peace talks, claiming North
Korea must first fulfill its promise of giving up its nuclear
programs and then both sides can discuss a peace agreement. The
North Korean Ambassador to China said on January 12 that if the U.S.
disagrees with having negotiations on a peace agreement and removing
sanctions against North Korea, then North Korea will not rejoin the
Six-Party Talks. He also said that those sanctions represent
prejudice and distrust. It would be best for both parties to sit
and have direct talks. The South Korean media suggest that possibly
North Korea believes that it would rather ruffle feathers and play
the peace agreement-card than just obediently return to Six-Party
Talks negotiations. As time goes by, the back-and-forth between the
U.S. and North Korea will intensify even more. In fact North Korea
continues its economic construction despite the world's
speculations. North Korea's new currency policy is still beginning
to take shape and its market order has not resumed its previous
level from before the DPRK implemented the policy."
HUNTSMAN