MEDIA REACTION: AFGHANISTAN, CLIMATE, CIA, SERBIAN EU

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BERLIN 001617 STATE FOR INR/R/MR, EUR/PAPD, EUR/PPA, EUR/CE, INR/EUC, INR/P, SECDEF FOR USDP/ISA/DSAA, DIA FOR DC-4A VIENNA FOR CSBM, CSCE, PAA "PERISHABLE INFORMATION -- DO NOT SERVICE" SIPDIS E.0. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR AF GM KGHG US SR SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: AFGHANISTAN, CLIMATE, CIA, SERBIAN EU BID;BERLIN BERLIN 00001617 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. Lead Stories Summary ¶2. Serbian EU Bid ¶3. Climate Change ¶4. Lithuania -- CIA Covert Prisons ¶5. Afghanistan ¶1. Lead Stories Summary ARD-TV's Tagesschau and ZDF-TV's Heute opened with stories on the idea of increasing contributions to the unemployment insurance fund in 2011. Frankfurter Allgemeine ("Coalition of like-minded for climate protection?") and Sueddeutsche ("Germany exceeds Kyoto climate goals") led with stories on climate protection. Frankfurter Rundschau focused on the airstrikes in Kunduz. Editorials focused on financial topics, Serbia's EU bid, and climate change, and the German debate on Afghanistan. ¶2. Serbian EU Bid Under the headline "The long way to the West," Tagesspiegel editorialized: "Recent years have made clear that it is worthwhile to lure particularly this country into the EU. With every little step towards the West, Serbian nationalists have lost support. Even the separation of Kosovo has not revived radical forces and did not divide the country. Serbia is becoming more stable, and so does its neighborhood." Die Welt opined: "Croatia, Albania, Macedonia, Turkey - and now also the country whose former government is responsible for the war in the Balkans? Not to speak of the fact that war criminal Ratko Mladic is still at large, although his extradition has always been a condition for EU entry talks. Although talks are still a long way off, the people are already looking towards Southeastern Europe with some displeasure... With Serbia, a country would enter the EU that has not yet overcome socialism and the war." Frankfurter Rundschau headlined "Serbia belongs in the West," and wrote in an analysis: "Much speaks in favor for a quick entry of the country into the EU. Both need each other economically and politically... The region's economic integration and Bosnia's stability are reasons for a speedy accession of Serbia. The beginning of entry talks would open up three more EU funds to Serbia with some 250 million Euros annually. The money would be well-invested. The fact that the war criminal Mladic has not been caught yet and that the status of Kosovo is still unclear, does not speak against Serbia's quick integration." ¶3. Climate Change Frankfurter Allgemeine editorialized: "The shock of the failure of the Copenhagen conference on climate change was so great that the reasons for it have not been analyzed. Especially the German government does not want to blame anyone in particular, in order not to fall out with the Chinese, the Africans or the Americans prior to the upcoming negotiations in Bonn. An honest critique would have to focus on the Europeans... By convincing themselves that they are to blame for the disappearance of Tuvalu, they provoked many countries in the world to make unreasonable compensation demands. The Europeans provided a perfect excuse for the emerging countries to wash their hands of the process." Sueddeutsche opined: "China has successfully torpedoed the international climate conference. It is important to state this.... Not only in absolute figures is China the greatest emitter of greenhouse gases. Beijing's defensive lie that the Chinese only produce a fifth of the emissions per capita compared with the Americans is fading away as quickly as the glaciers of Tibet. The per capita emissions along the developed coastlines of China are BERLIN 00001617 002.2 OF 002 growing rapidly. As a result, China's argument that it is only a little sinner, will be hot air in a few years.... The role China played in Copenhagen will hopefully have consequences. The country, which presents itself increasingly self-confidently to the world, must bear more responsibility than in the past." Die Welt commented: "The friends and allies of the U.S. must be aware of the fact that the obstructive Senate is tying Obama's hands, while the rest of the world needs the U.S. to take action. Concerning climate protection, the reduction of the national debt, disarmament and the war, Republicans can and will do everything to prevent the government from taking action.... The balance of President Obama's legislative record is therefore meager." ¶4. Lithuania -- CIA Covert Prisons Frankfurter Allgemeine editorialized: "Lithuania approached the question of whether the CIA operated covert prisons on its territory quicker and more effectively than Poland and Romania, which were under suspicion already years ago. This is good, although the investigation report does not answer all questions. Lithuania's diligence had several reasons: it wanted to rescue its good reputation and there was also a domestic power struggle. However, President Grybauskaite and Prime Minister Kubilius emphasized that it was about the fundamental question whether, even in the lethal fight of terrorism, democratic states must require intelligence services to obey the law. Lithuanians are sensitive about this issue, because they know where this led in Moscow." ¶5. Afghanistan Sueddeutsche Zeitung noted on the SPD's attempt to change its policy on Afghanistan: "Concerning its policy on Afghanistan, the SPD is carrying a heavy burden. It includes the unqualified solidarity former Chancellor Schroeder promised to the U.S. after the attacks on September 11, 2001, former Defense Minister Struck's statement that Germany's security is defended in Afghanistan, and Steinmeier's role as a leading minister responsible for the mission in the country. If Afghanistan is at war, then it also is the war of the SPD. It does not come as a surprise that the Social Democrats are uncomfortable in this position. The mission in Afghanistan is unpopular and many in the SPD are longing for presenting themselves to voters again as a party of peace. It suits the picture that SPD Chairman Gabriel has responded to this, quicker and more loudly than the party's parliamentary leader." Berliner Zeitung analyzed Defense Minister zu Guttenberg's proposal to start talks with some groups of the insurgents: "If you cannot defeat your enemy within eight years, you are well advised to meet for a cup of tea. The fact that zu Guttenberg is now ready to do this, shows that he has learned a lesson." Stuttgarter Zeitung commented: "Concerning the U.S. desire to increase the German contingent, more honesty would be good. There are increasing suggestions indicating a new ceiling. However, the government quells any debate by referring to the London conference on Afghanistan at the end of January. Are essential details being kept secret again and will the Bundestag be exploited to simply pass the mandate? Such an approach would result in serious damage to Germany's democratic culture." DELAWIE