MEDIA REACTION: U.S. PRESIDENT OBAMA

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 000883 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: U.S. PRESIDENT OBAMA Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused news coverage July 23 on the solar eclipse that happened on the morning of the 22nd; and on Taiwan's jobless rate, which surged to a record high in June. In terms of editorials and commentaries, a column in the centrist, KMT-leaning "China Times" discussed the performance of U.S. President Barack Obama since he assumed office six months ago. The article cited what has been happening in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran lately and concluded that Obama is incapable of solving difficult problems in the world. End summary. "Obama Is Incapable of Solving Difficult International Problems" The "International Lookout" column in the centrist, KMT-leaning "China Times" [circulation: 120,000] wrote (7/23): "U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said in a press conference that even though [the U.S.] military [forces] stationed in Iraq are decreasing, more troops are needed due to the continually deteriorating situation on the battlefield of Afghanistan. As a result, the size of the Army will be increased by 22,000 soldiers. [Gates'] statement that 'the situation on the Afghanistan battlefield has continuously deteriorated' says it all about [U.S. President Barack] Obama's failure in his policy toward Afghanistan. ... "Obama said he wants to end the war in Iraq, and indeed, a major portion of U.S. troops stationed in Iraq has been pulled out as planned. But the misgivings caused by the withdrawal of troops are unsettling; the troops that have yet to be pulled out admitted that they are walled in and are no longer capable of doing anything or making contributions to Iraq's security. All this will only increase the chances for infighting among different groups in Iraq. How long can such a fragile state of peace last? Once a civil war breaks out, the United States' Iraq policy will collapse completely. ... Washington's relations with Moscow have not improved but deteriorated either. ... As for the talks with Iran, Obama sounded more flexible originally, but the disputes concerning the presidential election in Iran have toughened his attitude again. It appears that the chances are slim for the United States to achieve any breakthrough in terms of Iran's nuclear issue. Obama vowed to shut down the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay, but he still faces many difficulties. The 'Voice of Germany' said Obama was an inexperienced Senator, who was elected president only because of his exceptional eloquence and political gifts and the people's general discontent with [President] Bush's policies. People expected that Obama would solve the difficult problems in the world, but they get disappointed because of their overly high expectations." WANG