Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04TAIPEI3517
2004-11-08 07:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION: NEW BUSH ADMINISTRATION; IRAQ

Tags:  OPRC KMDR KPAO TW 
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UNCLAS TAIPEI 003517

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/RSP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD -
ROBERT PALLADINO
DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: NEW BUSH ADMINISTRATION; IRAQ

A) "To Face the Growing Conservative Atmosphere in the
U.S. Political Arena"

The pro-status quo "China Times" said in an editorial
(11/6):

". The U.S. media have pointed out that the key issue
to the latest elections is neither the war in Iraq nor
economic issues but `ethical values.'

". Such Conservative thinking will certainly be
reflected in U.S. foreign and defense policies in the
next four years.

"After the election results were clear, President Bush
is both domestically and internationally expected to be
able to commit himself to `correcting the wrong' of the
past, as he does not have any re-election pressure
anymore. [People] hope that he can be a truly tolerant
leader, who will listen to those who did not vote for
him in the United States and respect different views of
foreign countries about U.S. policies. Thus, the world
can enjoy post-Cold War peace and stability under U.S.
leadership. However, the executive, legislative, and
judicial branches will all be under Republican control,
and Bush has won so much popular support, which gives
him a strong mandate. As a result, in the next four
years the whole world may have to give up unrealistic
expectations and pragmatically face a world depicted
under the dominance of U.S. Conservatism.

B) "Heavy Attack to Seek an End and Let U.S. Troops Go
Home for Christmas?"

Kung Yan, an associate professor in Taipei, wrote in
the conservative, pro-unification "United Daily News"
(11/8):

"Bush sent 20,000 troops to Fallujah just after he was
re-elected. This was also the largest-scaled action in
Iraq since April 2003. The world became nervous again.

"Why is Bush doing this? We need to notice two
reasons. First, the anti-terror war needs an ending
after it was started. Second, the fighting in Iraqi
fields must be completed as soon as possible. The best
is to settle it before Christmas.

". Without trying to feel and understand in depth about
the belief and lifestyle of the Islamic world, this war
is determined to cause high casualties. One only wants
to ask, when he was making policy decisions, why Bush
did not think of using religious communications and
dialogue to resolve disputes and seek peace?"

KEEGAN