MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-IRAN RELATIONS, H1N1, RMB CURRENCY

UNCLAS BEIJING 001282

DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/CM, EAP/PA, EAP/PD, C
HQ PACOM FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR (J007)
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR CH PREL ECON

SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-IRAN RELATIONS, H1N1, RMB CURRENCY

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Editorial Quotes
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1. U.S.-IRAN RELATIONS

"A positive turn for U.S-Iran relations"

The official intellectual publication Guangming Daily (Guangming
Ribao)(05/13): "Recently, Iran has released the female American
Journalist that it held. The American media felt calm and relief.
However, the Obama administration denies that there was a secret
deal between the U.S. and Iran concerning the release of the
journalist. Analysts predict that this issue will not influence the
Iran-U.S. peace process. Senior Iranian officials have shown good
will towards the U.S. Iran's tough stance has loosened since Obama
took office. Although senior Iranian official's hostility against
the U.S. is still deep-rooted, Iran's willingness to improve
relations with the U.S. has increased. Releasing the journalist
will positively influence the process of improving U.S.-Iran
relations. However, the deeply accumulated anger between the two
will not be easily resolved because of this move by Iran. An
overall improvement of the bilateral relations will not be realized
because Iran released a journalist."


2. H1N1

"Avoid finger-pointing before pandemic"

Global Times English (English-language daily published by the
People's Daily)(05/13): "What is shown on TV in Mexico City looks
familiar to most Chinese people. This time around, China is more
experienced and is capable of taking timely and effective action.
The Chinese government took immediate action to implement effective
counter-measures. As for China, with its mammoth population and
diverse geography, the public heath infrastructure still needs
improvement. China in many ways is more vulnerable to outbreaks of
communicable diseases than other countries.
The swine flu crisis requires even greater-than-normal cooperation
and coordination between countries and governments. It is therefore
all the more important for exaggerated or emotionally charged
statements that stoke fear and misunderstanding to be avoided.
Isolation has proven to be one of the most effective methods in
preventing the spread of communicable diseases. China has offered
direct and tangible assistance to Mexico in the form of $5 million
in financial aid to help combat the H1N1 flu, and overall has been
very supportive of the Mexican government's fight against the fatal
epidemic. Cooperation and mutual understanding will be important and
much-needed weapons in the fight against this virus, not unfounded
criticism and misdirected complaints."


3. RMB CURRENCY

"If the RMB leads the world, it will be very attractive to Europe"

The Shanghai-based Shanghai Media Group (SMG) publication, China
Business News (Diyi Caijing)(05/13): "The president of the
Germany-China Committee of German Federal Congress has stated that
although the G2 relationship is strong, it is hoped that China will
not only focus on the U.S., neglecting its opportunities to
cooperate with Germany and Europe. There are opportunities to
cooperate on renewable energy and environmental protection.
Cooperation in the energy sector, where Germany would provide the
technology and China could provide the resources, is a favorable
possibility. In spite of the economic recession, trade between
China and Europe has been less than expected; however development is
still trending well. Germany is still optimistic about its economy
even though its exports are sliding. But Germany still has a firm
industrial foundation. The president of the Germany-China Committee
of German Federal Congress agreed with the President of the People's
Bank of China, Zhou Xiaochuan's earlier comments that another
currency should replace the U.S. dollar and lead the world's
economic system. It is very attractive for Europe to use the RMB as
the leading currency."

WASHINGTON