MEDIA REACTION: RUSSIA-UKRAINE GAS DISPUTES, CHINA'S

UNCLAS BEIJING 000041 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: RUSSIA-UKRAINE GAS DISPUTES, CHINA'S DIPLOMACY -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. RUSSIA-UKRAINE GAS DISPUTES a. "A prolonged delay is not beneficial and a compromise is hard to make" The official Communist Party People's Daily (Renmin Ribao) (01/07): "This is the third time that Russia has cut off the gas supply to Ukraine. This cut-off has had a smaller impact on Europe than the 2006 cut-off. Since the two sides are both unprepared psychologically and in the aspect of supply, the difficulty in finding a resolution has greatly increased. The direct reason for the gas cut-off is related to economics and geopolitical factors. At present, it is difficult for Russia and Ukraine to make a compromise. Thus, this time, the dispute will last for a while. The next step for both sides is relying on the EU's mediation to realize a bilateral compromise. The Russia-Ukraine relationship has been further worsened. Consequently, Russia will try to construct a pipeline detouring Ukraine to Europe and Europe will make an effort to get rid of reliance on Russian energy." b. "When will the Russia-Ukraine dispute end?" The official Communist Party People's Daily (Renmin Ribao) (01/07): "The reason for the current gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine is based on gas prices and transit fees. In this current conflict, one may notice that the strategy Russia is using to fight Ukraine has changed. By cutting off the gas supply to Ukraine, Russia has increased the supply of natural gas to Europe. The EU has become the 'hostage' in the Russia-Ukraine fight and is acting differently from ¶2006. It did not criticize Russia's move and has shown no willingness to interfere in the conflict. The reasons for this are: the EU has sufficient reserves of natural gas, and because Russia did not show any intention of provoking the EU by cutting off gas supply to Ukraine and therefore the EU has no reason to criticize Russia, and both Russia and Ukraine have made efforts to gain the EU's support. The EU is unwilling to offend either country. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine may influence the structural makeup of natural gas exports from Russia. Russia may look for a new energy export route to gain more independence." ¶2. CHINA'S DIPLOMACY "One should not ignore China's influence in the world" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(01/07): "There is a circulating opinion in China that 'now' is not the time for China to influence the world and therefore China should not consider influencing the world. China's influence, in fact, has come from three aspects: first, its economic prosperity; second, China's independent 'China factor'; and third, their unique development path. ...There is no need to discuss China's potential to influence the world. But there is a need to evaluate how much influence China has in the world and on what kinds of issues China is having an influence. Only when the Chinese people understand China's influence in the world, can the Chinese people manage their country's influence appropriately." RANDT