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 -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶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