MEDIA REACTION: GEITHNER'S VISIT, NORTH KOREA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001440 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: GEITHNER'S VISIT, NORTH KOREA -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. GEITHNER'S VISIT "Complaint diplomacy should be discarded" The official Xinhua Daily Telegraph (Xinhua Meiri Dianxun) (06/01): "Before the visit began, Geithner informed the Chinese media that the first goal of the visit is to inform China about the measures the U.S. will take to deal with the crisis and to learn about the similar measures China will take. The second goal of the visit is to plan the SNED; which will be held later this summer. Geithner has also emphasized that he will not continue the so-called 'complaint diplomacy' with China. In the past, some U.S. officials became accustomed to using 'complaint diplomacy', when pressuring or accusing China on issues such as the RMB exchange rate or trade deficit. However, this type of diplomacy has had little effect and received lots of criticism. This time, Geithner emphasized that the Obama administration is dedicated to promoting the bilateral relationship, in all aspects, through positive cooperation. Geithner's comments coincide with China's recently-established policy 'to jointly build up the U.S.-China relations, in all aspects, characterized by positive cooperation in the 21 century.' The common view that the U.S. and China have reached, which states that the two will increase their mutual trust and cooperation while respecting and caring for the core interests of each other, properly dealing with divergences and sensitive issues, is been the best point at which to give up 'complaint diplomacy.'" ¶2. NORTH KOREA a. "DPRK's moves driven by inner urge to power" The official English-language newspaper China Daily (06/01): "There used to be a so-called card-playing theory about the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. Advocates of such a theory believed the DPRK was not actually developing nuclear weapons. Instead, it was showing its nuclear prowess as a trump card to draw the attention of the U.S. and the international community and using it as a bargaining chip for negotiations. ... The "card-playing theory" is wrong: The DPRK was not simply bluffing; it has actually been developing nuclear weapons. This has given rise to a new explanation by some Chinese academics: that the latest steps taken by the DPRK have something to do with its domestic political situation. ... Some academics believe that the current leadership is determined to shoulder the heavy responsibility of accomplishing the major tasks facing the DPRK when becoming a "strong and prosperous nation" before handing over charge to the next generation. This is part of the current leadership's effort to fulfill its "historic mission". Among the major tasks could be to: ¶1. Turn the DPRK into a truly nuclear state. ¶2. Equip the country with mature short-, medium- and long-range missile technologies. ¶3. Re-demarcate the marine border - between the DPRK and ROK on waters off the west coast of the Peninsula - as was formed after the 1953 Korean War truce was signed. ¶4. Push forward the cause of national reunification. This could explain why the DPRK, with a sense of urgency, has resorted to a series of daring acts within such a short span of time. If the hypothesis holds, the development of the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and even in East Asia, is worrying and fraught with the risk of going out of control." b. "Japan debates taking a preemptive strike against North Korea" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(06/01): "North Korea responded to the Security Council by launching missiles. However, over the weekend the DPRK has quieted. The U.S., Japan and South Korea have increased their nuclear deployment. Japanese officials have called for a preemptive strike against North Korea's military facilities. However, the Japanese act cautiously. Japan's Defense Minister has publically said that Japan will not take a preemptive strike against North Korea. Chinese experts have said that some Japanese personnel are always looking for excuses to possess nuclear weapons and to take advantage of North Korea's nuclear issue. China and the whole world should be vigilant concerning this move by Japan. A Russian expert on the issue indicated that the stances of Russia and China are, first, insistent on the non-proliferation of nuclear programs; second, urging North Korea to return to the Six-Party Talks. And avoid cornering North Korea. Chinese experts also suggest that the biggest concern is whether or not the U.S. will use the crisis to offset the damages done by the financial crisis. Both North Korea and the U.S. still have room to maneuver, however, the U.S. has put China, its go-between and mediator, at the front of the North Korea BEIJING 00001440 002 OF 002 crisis. In this way, the U.S. avoids the pressures that it should bear on its own shoulders as one of the major forces in the issue." c. "Is North Korea China's strategic burden?" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(06/01): "It seems that North Korea's nuclear test intended to create difficulties for the U.S., Japan, South Korea and others. However, this move has also created an embarrassing situation for China. China should not simply give up on the DPRK. China cannot begin to view the DPRK as a burden because the DPRK is not only a political and economic problem, but also a strategic issue. North Korea is still an important factor in China's geopolitical setup, in order to contain Japan and the U.S. Thus North Korea is not yet a strategic burden, but a strategic resource for China. The U.S. government, deeply trapped in the financial crisis, may intend to kick the ball, 'the North Korea issue', to China. If North Korea continues its current policy, soon the country will experience a Cold War, or instantly disappear. If, either of the above situations happens, China's international security environment will seriously deteriorate." PICCUTA