MEDIA REACTION: U.S. SUDAN POLICY, JCCT,

UNCLAS BEIJING 002945 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: U.S. SUDAN POLICY, JCCT, AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. U.S. SUDAN POLICY "Subtle changes" The official Communist Party People's Daily (Renmin Ribao)(10/23)(pg 3): "The Obama administration's new strategy on Sudan signifies that the U.S. government has subtly changed its attitude towards the government in Sudan from one of 'sanctions' to one of 'dialogue.' The U.S. is also focusing on both long-term and short-term issues in Sudan, rather than on just short-term issues. The U.S. has adopted a more active attitude towards Sudan. This policy adjustment is both flexible and realistic. However, whether or not the U.S. can implement this new strategy remains to be seen. Some aspects of the new strategy remain unchanged and are still obstacles for the improvement of U.S.-Sudan relations." ¶2. JCCT "Three U.S. departments low-profile on JCCT outreach" Guangdong 21st Century Publishing Company Ltd.'s business newspaper 21st Century Business Herald (21Shiji Jingji Baodao)(10/23)(pg 3): "Washington scholars believe that the fact that the U.S. has taken such a low-profile approach [in the media] towards the upcoming Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) indicates that the meeting will not achieve any significant results. It also reflects the current subtleties in U.S.-China trade and economic relations. The IPR issue will be the major focus of the JCCT. However, U.S. officials have not given any clear indications on discussing the market economy position of China. They have also been vague about whether or not the RMB exchange rate issue will be included in the agenda. The U.S.-China trade policy still faces a severe challenge since high unemployment in the U.S. will continue until at least the end of the year." ¶3. AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN "Little chance of winning the 'Afghanistan and Pakistan War'" Guangdong 21st Century Publishing Company Ltd.'s business newspaper 21st Century Business Herald (21Shiji Jingji Baodao)(10/23)(pg 2): "The 'Afghanistan and Pakistan War' is an extension of the war in Afghanistan. Obama has clearly shifted his diplomatic focus to Afghanistan and Pakistan and has been trying hard to remedy Bush's quagmire in Iraq. However, he is likely to fall into another quagmire. It is useless for the U.S to send endless troops to Afghanistan, since the Europeans are not interested in this matter and the United States' foes, the Taliban and al-Qaeda, are always hidden in the dark. The so-called 'War on Terror' is very different from a traditional war. The suffering in a traditional war is short, whereas a new war like the 'War on Terror' will never end and is full of political stratagems, military frustration, extremist hysteria, and the blood and tears of the civilian population. It is not wise for Obama to shift the focus from Iraq to Afghanistan and Pakistan. If the U.S. really wants to fight against terrorists, the most effective way to do so is to seek the cooperation of multiple parties. Additional economic assistance could also bring more benefits to the local people and decrease the influence of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Endlessly increasing troops will cause the U.S. to spend more than it can afford. At this point, [University of Chicago historian] John Mearsheimer's 'offshore balancing strategy' is cleverer than the military resolution advocated by the neo-conservatives." HUNTSMAN