MEDIA REACTION: IRAQI OIL CONTRACT, AFRICA, AFGHANISTAN

UNCLAS BEIJING 003066 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: IRAQI OIL CONTRACT, AFRICA, AFGHANISTAN -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. IRAQI OIL CONTRACT "The West attacks China for 'reaping without sowing'" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(11/06)(pg 1): "The sentiment of jealousy over the big order signed between Petro China Company Limited and BP (British Petroleum) to develop the biggest Iraqi oil field is spreading in the West. The West's criticism shows they are still not accustomed to China's share of the world's resources. Chinese experts believe that Western media's promotion of Western nationalism will lead to hostility towards China, which is very worrisome for China. Zhao Gancheng, an expert at the Shanghai Research Institute of International Issues, said that in some Westerner's opinion, the ideal world is a dark world, except for Europe and the U.S. Europe and the United States always treat themselves as the hosts of the world. Chinese expert Jin Canrong also believes that the U.S. government hopes that China will participate in Afghanistan and Iraq's reconstruction. Based on the West's rules, China is being a responsible country. Those who still believe that the West is the center of the world should be aware of newly-emerging countries' increasing strength." ¶2. AFRICA China helps build Africa while the West empties Africa The China Radio International sponsored newspaper World News Journal (Shijie Xinwenbao)(11/06)(pg 2): "The West is a little confused by the unprecedented economic interactions between China and Africa. The U.S. is mainly importing raw oil and natural gas from Africa, which barely help develop the infrastructure and industrial facilities in Africa. However, raw oil and natural gas accounts for less than 20% in China-Africa trade. The exploration of resources in Africa and a number of China's construction sites have helped to develop the local infrastructure and facilities like power plants, traffic controls and housing. China's economic cooperation with Africa has brought Africa's rapid development. The forthcoming ministerial meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation on Nov. 8th and 9th will further cooperation between China and Africa. Whether or not the West can understand it, and regardless of how hard they try, the deepening of the China-Africa relationship is unstoppable." ¶3. AFGHANISTAN "Is the Taliban infiltrating the Afghan military police?" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(11/06)(pg 14): "The frequent revolts of the Afghan military police have caused the coalition troops in Afghanistan to doubt how many Taliban are undercover within the troop. Frequent attacks have brought doubts about the decision of the coalition troops to withdraw from Afghanistan - which will enable the Afghan military police to take over Afghanistan's security affairs. In many coalition soldiers' eyes, the Afghan military police are corrupt, take opium and are distrustful. The West also suspects that, for the sake of supporting rebellions, the Afghan military police have given arms to the Taliban. Meanwhile, the coalition troops have also had frictions with the Afghan security troops. They don't trust each other. In fact, in this U.S.-led war, the Afghan military police are enduring the largest casualties. Their $120 a month salary is much less than the Taliban's bonus. Experts say that only those who are desperate will submit themselves to the Afghan troops." HUNTSMAN