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

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Editorial Quotes
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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