MEDIA REACTION: OLYMPICS, NORTH KOREA, U.S. MILITARY

UNCLAS BEIJING 002861 DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/CM, EAP/PA, EAP/PD, C HQ PACOM FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR (J007) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR CH SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: OLYMPICS, NORTH KOREA, U.S. MILITARY -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. OLYMPICS "Chinese people have the right to get respect" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(07/23): "Western media have run different understandings about what President Bush said at the farewell to the American delegation to the Olympic Games. China has opened up live reporting from Tiananmen Square to the western media. This is very sensitive in China but western media still feel it is not enough and they always criticize China like a schoolboy. In Chinese psychology, China's efforts to prepare for the Olympic should have gained merit even if there are no results yet. But some western media's criticism does not report sensibly or with reasons. The Chinese people look forward to getting respect right now. President Bush said American athletes will be 'ambassadors of freedom.' China is a rising political and economic power. With China hosting Olympics at this time, the political meaning and complexity have surpassed sports itself. Western reporters will definitely use the freedom of press that Chinese government promised them to be picky about China. Foreign experts indicate that China should be transparent and open. China looks forward to the world's respect which will be the highest honor for Beijing." ¶2. NORTH KOREA "The U.S. says North Korea and Iran are still the 'axis of evil'" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(07/23): "U.S. officials made this hard-line comment at a time when there is progress both in denuclearizing North Korea and in improving U.S.-North Korea relations. South Korean officials indicate that the U.S. and North Korea still have big differences in their stances. South Korean analysts think the American official's remarks were intentionally adding pressure to North Korea and pacifying dissatisfied American hard-liners. The White House is making a tough stance towards Iran rather than North Korea by bringing up the 'axis of evil' again. Secretary Rice also has strenuously lowered people's expectations on the coming meeting between the North Korea foreign minister and her." ¶3. U.S. MILITARY "The U.S. think tank talks about space war with China, the U.S. and Russia" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(07/23): "In the field of space China is always considered a potential enemy by the United States especially after China tested anti-satellite weapons. The U.S. has growing concerns over China's space threat. However America's NASA director Griffin expressed that the U.S. and China have room to cooperate in space exploration. The two countries are conducting preliminary steps." PICCUTA