MEDIA REACTION: NORTH KOREA, U.S. ARMS DEVELOPMENT, U.S.

UNCLAS BEIJING 002223

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: PREL ECON KMDR OPRC CH

SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: NORTH KOREA, U.S. ARMS DEVELOPMENT, U.S.
PROTECTION OF TIRE INDUSTRY

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Editorial Quotes
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1. NORTH KOREA

"Clinton visits Pyongyang to bring back journalists"

The official Xinhua Daily Telegraph (Xinhua Meiri Dianxun)
(08/05): "Although the United States' position on U.S.-North Korea
bilateral talks has not changed and the U.S. government is still
insisting that former U.S. President Bill Clinton's trip to
Pyongyang was in a private capacity and had nothing to do with the
North Korean nuclear issue, it is undeniable that as the former
President and husband of the present Secretary of State, Bill
Clinton's 'private status' is special and met the expectations of
the North Koreans (in terms of who they would be willing to discuss
these issues with). Although the U.S. has emphasized that the
release of the journalists is a strictly humanitarian issue and has
nothing to do with the North Korean nuclear issue, Clinton's sudden
visit to North Korea at a time when the Six Party Talks are at an
impasse no doubt has important symbolic and practical implications."



2. U.S. ARMS DEVELOPMENT

"It is inhuman for the U.S. to develop Massive Ordinance Penetrators
(MOPs)"

The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao) (08/05): "Since the beginning of the
thermonuclear age, nuclear weapons have been regarded as a strategic
deterrent force. Nuclear weapons cannot be used by any country due
to their political significance. Thus, the tendency of the U.S.
military has been to focus on developing conventional weapons. This
'sword dance' by the U.S. is clearly aimed at North Korea and Iran.
This is the usual practice of the United States. The U.S. has
always used strength rather than words to deter other countries.
The research and development of this weapon is not for its actual
use, rather it is intended to strengthen the U.S. negotiating
position vis-`-vis North Korea. This weapon is very brutal and
inhumane. The U.S. is not very concerned about actually using such
weapons. Sometimes the U.S. even intentionally conducts 'accidental
killings'; for example, the 'mistaken bombing' of the Chinese
Embassy in the former Yugoslavia. These intentional actions are
against humanity and should give rise to more vigilance around the
world. The U.S. is using the money it gains from selling Treasury
bonds to countries like China to develop this inhumane weapon. This
is very irresponsible."


3. U.S. PROTECTION OF TIRE INDUSTRY

"Special protections for tire industry cause friction in Sino-U.S.
relations"

The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao) (08/05): "The first time the Obama
Administration has investigated a trade case with China is related
to the special protections for the U.S. tire industry initiated by
the U.S. Congress. This case has caused the greatest friction in
Sino-U.S. relations since Obama took office. Such actions by the
U.S. will easily trigger trade protectionism. Chinese tires
exported to the U.S. do not pose a direct threat to U.S. tire
manufacturers since Chinese tires are mainly sold in low-end markets
whereas U.S.-manufactured tires are supplied to U.S. automobile
manufacturers. Thus, Chinese tires will not substantially hurt the
production of U.S. tires. Congressional politics in the United
States is all about votes. Congressmen are only concerned about the
interests of their local electorate, and do not care too much about
their country's overall interests. Therefore, it is not surprising
for them to do something that negatively affects Sino-U.S. trade
relations."


GOLDBERG