MEDIA REACTION: S&ED, NORTH KOREA, TAIWAN

UNCLAS BEIJING 002174 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 PREL ECON KMDR CH SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: S&ED, NORTH KOREA, TAIWAN -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. S&ED "The first S&ED ended: friendly atmosphere, few outcomes" The Shanghai-based Shanghai Media Group (SMG) publication, China Business News (Diyi Caijing) (07/30): "Yan Xuetong, Director of the Institute of International Studies at Tsinghua University, argued that although the S&ED has upped the level and format of the dialogue between the U.S. and China, so far the main goal of the dialogue - to prevent conflict - has not changed and cooperation is still a secondary focus. The more ceremonious format of this round of talks actually demonstrated a greater distance between the two countries (less formal talks could be held if relations were closer). Therefore, we should not expect the Sino-U.S. dialogue to achieve the same outcome as U.S.-Japan or U.S.-European dialogues. The U.S. does not view this as a dialogue between allies, but rather stressed the need to resolve the friction and disagreements between the two sides. Obama's remarks to China, Russia, and the Arab world have a common feature: the use of language is very moderate and positive, but contains no substantive content. Obama is very good at taking a soft approach, but seldom takes a strong stand on key issues. Although claiming win-win cooperation, his real goal is to safeguard the interests of the United States and allow China to make more concessions. Of course, he would never say this." ¶2. NORTH KOREA "Why doesn't the U.S. want to talk with North Korea directly?" The China Radio International sponsored newspaper World News Journal (Shijie Xinwenbao) (07/30): "The current sanctions against North Korea, based on UN Resolution 1874, are effective. Meanwhile, the major countries involved in the Six Party Talks are proceeding with intensive multilateral and bilateral consultations around the DPRK nuclear issue. All of these moves show North Korea that there is no way out if they insist on confrontation. The U.S. did not directly respond to North Korea's hints at its openness to bilateral dialogue. The implication then is that the U.S. will only engage in bilateral negotiations with North Korea within the framework of the Six Party Talks. The possibility of a one-on-one meeting is low. The reason the U.S. insists on dialogue with North Korea within the framework of the Six Party Talks is due to the Obama Administration's re-evaluation of the North Korean nuclear issue. The Administration believes that the DPRK nuclear issue is a regional issue; that the prevention of nuclear proliferation is an obligation of all countries; and that the burden of the nuclear issue should not be borne by the U.S alone. The Americans are wise. If the U.S. engages in bilateral negotiations with North Korea, it will end up paying a high cost. Instead, the U.S. wants the other major powers to pay part of the costs by using the framework of the Six Party Talks." ¶3. TAIWAN "The probability is low for Cross-Straits leaders to meet in the short-term" The China Radio International sponsored newspaper World News Journal (Shijie Xinwenbao) (07/30): "It is too early to draw a conclusion about the prospects for a meeting between the leaders of the two countries across the Taiwan Straits. In fact, a lot of things can be done without their even meeting. However, given that Hu Jintao and Ma Ying-Jeou are the top leaders of the two sides, a "Hu-Ma" meeting carries particular significance. The development of Cross-Straits relations is a gradual process, which includes the building up of mutual trust and common understanding. As long as we get down to business and do a good job, in due course a meeting of the Cross-Straits leaders will be a natural thing. The development of Cross-Straits relations has its own inherent laws. With the ever closer Cross-Straits exchanges and economic relations, it is inevitable that Cross-Straits relations will move towards reconciliation and integration." GOLDBERG