MEDIA REACTION: IRAN

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 000723 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD - LLOYD NEIGHBORS DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: IRAN Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies gave significant coverage March 29 to an apology by TVBS, a famous cable television network in Taiwan, on Wednesday evening for the misconduct of two of its reporters, who shot video footage featuring a gangster demonstrating an array of firearms and making death threats to the leader of his gang. News coverage also focused on the 2008 presidential elections and other local issues. In terms of editorials and commentaries, a column in the pro-status quo "China Times" commented on UN Security Council Resolution 1747, saying it has demonstrated the U.S.'s power in the international financial market. End summary. "Financial Sanctions are a Specialty of the United States" The "International Outlook" column in the pro-status quo "China Times" [circulation: 400,000] (3/29): "... It stands to reason that financial operations should be determined by the market, but this is just a theory. In reality, they can be manipulated completely by the United States via its diplomatic policies. The funds transfer issue with the Macau-based Banco Delta Asia has made Pyongyang realize how horrible such power can be. The Pyongyang authorities do not care about the 20 million U.S. dollars, but they do care about the invisible hand that can choke North Korea's activities in the international financial market. ... "The UNSC Resolution 1747 specified that 'all States and international financial institutions may not enter into new commitments for grants, financial assistance, and concessional loans to the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, except for humanitarian and developmental purposes.' This is the United States' magic weapon. It is certainly not a very severe sanction, but it already demonstrates the United States' power. Washington has already requested that its domestic financial institutions impose sanctions against Iran, and now it has more reason to do so with this crown from the UN Security Council. ..." WANG