Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BEIJING1474
2009-06-03 09:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION: NORTH KOREA
how-toVZCZCXRO9178 RR RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC DE RUEHBJ #1474 1540931 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 030931Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4266 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
UNCLAS BEIJING 001474
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: NORTH KOREA
--------------
Editorial Quotes
--------------
NORTH KOREA
a. "North Korea creates dilemma for China and Russia"
The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(06/03): "China and Russia, traditional
protectors of North Korea have been placed in a sticky situation.
North Korea has moved their intercontinental missiles to their
launch site. This move deteriorates their relationship with China.
A Russian newspaper commented that if China does not successfully
persuade North Korea to abandon this plan, it will show that China's
influence in the region is limited. However, if China exerts
excessive pressure, North Korea may fall apart. North Korea has
also put pressure on China. The North Korean foreign affairs
ministry criticized the Security Council as a hypocrite. In their
criticism of the Security Council, they are actually implying a
criticism towards China and Russia. Chinese experts indicate that
the world overestimates China's influence on North Korea. Western
media predicts several of China's concerns should North Korea's
regime collapse. Russian experts indicated that the situation in
North Korea has broken Russia and China's 'bottom line'. The two
countries' 'bottom line' is the denuclearization of the peninsula.
Chinese experts point out further that China is experiencing a
dilemma because it can't take further actions against North Korea,
nor can North Korea be allowed to further endanger Eastern Asia.
The U.S. and other countries don't have any practical measures other
than to deal with the DPRK rather 'coldly' and bringing China to the
frontline of the issue. If North Korea continues testing missiles,
the Chinese government's attitude should become tougher and clearer.
This clarity and toughness will be alleviated if the DPRK returns to
the Six-Party Talks."
b. "There is no winner in the North Korean crisis"
The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(06/03): "Many people point to China's role
and influence in the recent situation in North Korea. Some comment
that North Korea's second nuclear test, after its so-called
permanent abandonment of the Six Party Talks, proves China's
diplomatic failure. China's efforts to promote the Six Party Talks
are aimed at maintaining peace in the region, not showing the
influence of China or seeking a single diplomatic victory. Only
through negotiation between all parties can there be a long-term
resolution to the North Korea issue. Unilateral or bilateral actions
will not solve the issue. China has its influence, but with the
precondition of not interfering in other countries' internal
affairs. China has possessed nuclear weapons for self-defense
purposes to deal with historical 'nuclear blackmail'. Once it
successfully conducted a nuclear test, China announced instantly
that it would not use nuclear weapons first. The most current and
urgent issue is what life will be like with the failure of the Six
Party Talks. We have to stop talking about winners and losers. The
primary victims will be the North Korean people. The Six-Party
Talks are still the best way to solve the North Korea issue. Time
will tell."
c. "North Korea should not offend the ordinary Chinese"
The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(06/03): "Currently, the general impression of
the Chinese public about North Korea has fallen to an extraordinary
low. This shows that the positive image, built by North Korea among
the Chinese people for the last few decades, has been harmed. The
North Korean government should pay attention to the change in the
feelings of the Chinese people. This change will influence
Sino-North Korean relations. Many Chinese people think that North
Korea is destroying the peace in Northeast Asia and worry that North
Korea may drag China into a war. North Korea's nuclear move has
absolutely disobeyed the China-North Korea relationship. If Chinese
people are offended, the base of China-North Korea relations will be
shaken and damaged. North Korea's strategic space will also shrink
if China changes its North Korea policy. Once the relationship is
damaged, North Korea with its current strength, can hardly maintain
a strategic survival in international society. North Korea can only
show respect to the international society by respecting the Chinese
people's feelings, and respecting its own interests."
PICCUTA
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: NORTH KOREA
--------------
Editorial Quotes
--------------
NORTH KOREA
a. "North Korea creates dilemma for China and Russia"
The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(06/03): "China and Russia, traditional
protectors of North Korea have been placed in a sticky situation.
North Korea has moved their intercontinental missiles to their
launch site. This move deteriorates their relationship with China.
A Russian newspaper commented that if China does not successfully
persuade North Korea to abandon this plan, it will show that China's
influence in the region is limited. However, if China exerts
excessive pressure, North Korea may fall apart. North Korea has
also put pressure on China. The North Korean foreign affairs
ministry criticized the Security Council as a hypocrite. In their
criticism of the Security Council, they are actually implying a
criticism towards China and Russia. Chinese experts indicate that
the world overestimates China's influence on North Korea. Western
media predicts several of China's concerns should North Korea's
regime collapse. Russian experts indicated that the situation in
North Korea has broken Russia and China's 'bottom line'. The two
countries' 'bottom line' is the denuclearization of the peninsula.
Chinese experts point out further that China is experiencing a
dilemma because it can't take further actions against North Korea,
nor can North Korea be allowed to further endanger Eastern Asia.
The U.S. and other countries don't have any practical measures other
than to deal with the DPRK rather 'coldly' and bringing China to the
frontline of the issue. If North Korea continues testing missiles,
the Chinese government's attitude should become tougher and clearer.
This clarity and toughness will be alleviated if the DPRK returns to
the Six-Party Talks."
b. "There is no winner in the North Korean crisis"
The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(06/03): "Many people point to China's role
and influence in the recent situation in North Korea. Some comment
that North Korea's second nuclear test, after its so-called
permanent abandonment of the Six Party Talks, proves China's
diplomatic failure. China's efforts to promote the Six Party Talks
are aimed at maintaining peace in the region, not showing the
influence of China or seeking a single diplomatic victory. Only
through negotiation between all parties can there be a long-term
resolution to the North Korea issue. Unilateral or bilateral actions
will not solve the issue. China has its influence, but with the
precondition of not interfering in other countries' internal
affairs. China has possessed nuclear weapons for self-defense
purposes to deal with historical 'nuclear blackmail'. Once it
successfully conducted a nuclear test, China announced instantly
that it would not use nuclear weapons first. The most current and
urgent issue is what life will be like with the failure of the Six
Party Talks. We have to stop talking about winners and losers. The
primary victims will be the North Korean people. The Six-Party
Talks are still the best way to solve the North Korea issue. Time
will tell."
c. "North Korea should not offend the ordinary Chinese"
The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(06/03): "Currently, the general impression of
the Chinese public about North Korea has fallen to an extraordinary
low. This shows that the positive image, built by North Korea among
the Chinese people for the last few decades, has been harmed. The
North Korean government should pay attention to the change in the
feelings of the Chinese people. This change will influence
Sino-North Korean relations. Many Chinese people think that North
Korea is destroying the peace in Northeast Asia and worry that North
Korea may drag China into a war. North Korea's nuclear move has
absolutely disobeyed the China-North Korea relationship. If Chinese
people are offended, the base of China-North Korea relations will be
shaken and damaged. North Korea's strategic space will also shrink
if China changes its North Korea policy. Once the relationship is
damaged, North Korea with its current strength, can hardly maintain
a strategic survival in international society. North Korea can only
show respect to the international society by respecting the Chinese
people's feelings, and respecting its own interests."
PICCUTA