MEDIA REACTION: IRAN, U.S. POLICY, JAPAN

UNCLAS BEIJING 000330 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 KMDR CH SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: IRAN, U.S. POLICY, JAPAN -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. IRAN "Why was the U.S.-Iran Badminton Diplomacy abolished?" The China Radio International sponsored newspaper World News Journal (Shijie Xinwenbao) (02/10): "The U.S.-Iran Badminton diplomacy, amid high expectations, has failed. This has disappointed Obama, as he is dedicated to improving the relationship. Obama has even admitted his Islamic background. Only with Iran's help, can the U.S. continue its influence in the Persian Gulf. Although Obama was willing to improve relations with Iran, Iran does not trust Obama enough to do so. What's more important, unresolvable conflicts on the nuclear issue exist between the U.S. and Iran. And Obama has not yet given in on the issue. If the U.S. does not give-in on this issue, it is impossible for Badminton Diplomacy to happen. Iran refused to admit that the U.S.' Badminton Diplomacy true intention is to add more future chips to their negotiations with the U.S." ¶2. U.S. POLICY "The U.S. will not adopt trade protectionism" The China Radio International sponsored newspaper World News Journal (Shijie Xinwenbao) (02/10): "In the agreement between the Congress and the Senate, the 'Buy American' bill has been canceled and replaced by a softened and revised plan. It regulates that when the U.S. doesn't disobey its duties in various international pacts, it still can operate under the bill. Once more, other items in the stimulus plan have revealed the inclination towards U.S. protectionism. However, it is unlikely that the U.S. will utilize large scale trade protectionism because the position of the U.S. dollar will be seriously stricken if the U.S. proceeds with protectionism. A global trade war will be inevitable and the international currency reserves will dramatically drop. However, some regional currency will rise. The international financial system led by the U.S. dollar would be changed. The U.S. is considering protectionism because it wants to deter its trade partners from gaining an advantage." ¶3. JAPAN "Improved U.S.-China relations make Japan uneasy" The China Radio International sponsored newspaper World News Journal (Shijie Xinwenbao) (02/10): "Secretary Clinton has decided to visit Japan first during her Asia visit in order to pacify Japan. The Japanese media has expressed their complicated psychology concerning the U.S.-China relationship becoming closer. Some Japanese experts believe that Secretary Clinton's first stop being Japan is not simply to pacify Japan; she is visiting not because Japan is important, but because Japan is geographically closer to the U.S. Whether the U.S. still emphasizes Japan depends on the result of Secretary Clinton's Japan visit. However, what Japan worries most about is Secretary Clinton's husband. Former President Bill Clinton has had an unusually close relationship with China. This fact will likely make the Obama administration incline towards China diplomatically. Hopefully the Obama administration will become a Clinton style pro-China government." PICCUTA