Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09AITTAIPEI585
2009-05-15 09:13:00
UNCLASSIFIED
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION: THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION

Tags:  OPRC KMDR KPAO TW 
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VZCZCXYZ0007
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHIN #0585 1350913
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 150913Z MAY 09
FM AIT TAIPEI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1582
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 9183
RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 0615
UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 000585

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/P, EAP/PD - NIDA EMMONS
DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION

Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused May 15
news coverage on Nobel Laureate Economist Paul Krugman's speech in
Taiwan Thursday; on President Ma Ying-jeou's signing of the two
United Nations human rights covenants; and on the DPP's planned mass
demonstration on May 17 against the Ma administration's first year
in office. With respect to editorials and commentaries, a column in
the centrist, KMT-leaning "China Times" discussed the recent
election of the United States to the United Nations Human Rights
Council. The column said most UN member nations hope to work with
the Obama administration, which differs from the former Bush
administration on human rights issues, to solve global problems. An
editorial in the conservative, pro-unification, English-language
"China Post" commented on President Barack Obama's first one hundred
days in office. The editorial said judging from several recent
polls in the United States, Obama showed his leadership by
successfully rebuilding American people's confidence that the
situation will get better tomorrow, even though many tasks remain to
be fulfilled. End summary.

A) "The United Nations' Expectations for the Obama Administration"

The "International Lookout" column in the centrist, KMT-leaning
"China Times" [circulation: 130,000] wrote (5/15):

"The United States was elected to the UN Human Rights Council with a
total of 167 votes. The move symbolized that the Obama
administration is indeed different from the Bush Administration in
terms of human rights issues. ... The reason [behind the U.S.
seeking a seat on the council] was simple -- namely, the United
States cannot step aside from the Council, or it will indicate that
there is a gap between the United States' human rights criteria and
that of most UN members. How can one act alone to safeguard human
rights? But the Bush administration was like that, arrogantly
distancing itself from the group. The United States will be in no
position to criticize the UN Human Rights report in the future.

"The Obama administration evidently has new considerations in terms
of [the priority of] its interests; it understands that while
criticizing other countries' human rights, Washington should also
examine itself -- as in the cases of closing down the Guantanamo Bay
prison and banning the interrogation tactics that have violated
international laws. The United States' foreign policy also shows a
tendency to work with international mechanisms. ... The United
States won 167 out of the 191 votes at the UN General Assembly (same
votes as those for China). The reason why it could win so many
votes was because the UN member nations have expectations for the
Obama Administration. They hope that the United States can work
with the UN to resolve global problems and not just do things alone
simply based on its likes and dislikes. ..."

B) "The Obama Way"

The conservative, pro-unification, English-language "China Post"
[circulation: 30,000] editorialized (5/15):

"... Opinion polls show that Obama has achieved some success in
rebuilding America's confidence. ... Whether many of Obama's
policies should be considered pragmatic or inconsistent or weak
remains controversial. No where is this issue more conspicuous than
his foreign affairs ventures where an 'Obama style,' different from
those of past American president, has emerged. This 'Obama
doctrine' is marked by flexibility and modesty. ...

"The most critical element of skillful leadership is to evoke
people's confidence. Although such a trust is usually built on the
leader's success in solving certain urgent problems at hand, more
importantly, it is concerned about a vision for the future. Right
now, Obama's refreshing change has inspired so much confidence in
the American people that they are willing to give him more chances
because they share the president's conviction that tomorrow under
his leadership will definitely be better. Americans realize and
agree they need patience."

YOUNG