UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000364

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SECSTATE FOR INR/R/MR, EUR/PPD, EUR/NB, EUR/PA, EUR/FO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO PINS PHUM PREF EUN SW
SUBJECT: Media Reaction - China and Burma

On May 15, the independent liberal Stockholm morning daily "Dagens
Nyheter" in a signed editorial by foreign affairs commentator Per
Ahlin urged more pressure on Burma's rulers. It carried headline
"China's Dual Responsibility," and said:

"It is really difficult to believe that the (earthquake) pictures
come from China...but one explanation to this (new) openness may be
that the regime realizes that in this Olympic year people are
keeping a close eye to what happens in the country....

"Beijing also is aware of the fact that many compare the situation
in China to that in hurricane-stricken Burma, a comparison that
unequivocally is to the advantage of China.

"The ruling Burmese junta is playing a cynical game when obstructing
or even putting a stop to the international relief work...The
international community must not be passive. It must be possible to
in some way establish that the well-being of the Burmese population
is much more important than that of the generals....

"The last few weeks have been detrimental to China's reputation, not
least taking into consideration protests in Tibet and the weapon
sales to Zimbabwe. Engagement for the hurricane-stricken Burmese
people would quite likely improve China's standing....

"And there are ways to go about it, provided that the issue will
come up in the UN. China has previously chosen on several occasions
to abstain from voting in the Security Council to mark displeasure
with the proposed measure without stopping what other members want
to do. Something similar could be done again, which actually is all
that will be needed."
WOOD