Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BERLIN257
2009-03-04 12:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION: MISSILE DEFENSE, IRAN, MIDEAST,

Tags:  OPRC KMDR KPAO GM US IR RS CU AF CE XG IS SY GZ 
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R 041238Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 3469
INFO WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC
SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
DIA WASHINGTON DC
CIA WASHINGTON DC
DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
FRG COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
AMEMBASSY ROME 
USMISSION USNATO 
USMISSION USOSCE 
HQ USAFE RAMSTEIN AB GE
HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//J5 DIRECTORATE (MC)//
CDRUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE
UDITDUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE
UNCLAS BERLIN 000257 


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"

E.0. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO GM US IR RS CU AF CE XG IS SY GZ
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: MISSILE DEFENSE, IRAN, MIDEAST,
AFGHANISTAN, PAKISTAN, ECB

UNCLAS BERLIN 000257


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"

E.0. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO GM US IR RS CU AF CE XG IS SY GZ
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: MISSILE DEFENSE, IRAN, MIDEAST,
AFGHANISTAN, PAKISTAN, ECB


1. Lead Stories Summary

2. U.S.-Russian Relations, Iran

3. Clinton Trip to Mideast

4. U.S.-Cuban Relations

5. Future Strategy on Afghanistan

6. Attack On Sri Lankan Cricket Team

7. ECB's Reaction to Financial Crisis



1. Lead Stories Summary

Editorials focused on the ruling of an Austrian court against the
Minister President of Thuringia, Dieter Althaus (CDU),the ruling of
the Constitutional Court on electoral voting machines, and President
Obama's rapprochement with Russia. Headlines in the press centered
on the Althaus case. ZDF-TV's early evening newscast Heute and
ARD-TV's early evening newscast Tagesschau opened with reports on
Althaus.


2. U.S.-Russian Relations, Iran

Under the headline "Washington takes Moscow seriously," S|ddeutsche
Zeitung comments: "The U.S. President does not simply throw out
problems left by his predecessor. He exploits the missile defense
shield... as a means to exert pressure on Moscow..... If we are not
mistaken, Obama's first steps in foreign policy make clear that the
new U.S. government will not be shy in pursuing its policy in the
world. It knows about the powerful tools it has and indicates that
it plans to use them."

Frankfurter Allgemeine opines that "the Great Bargain" between
Washington and Moscow, in which the U.S. would abandon its missile
defense project if Russia helps Washington prevent Iran from
building a nuclear weapon "sounds plausible but is in reality
complicated" because "as long as negotiations take place in the
framework of the UN, the Chinese have a say as well and will not
allow Washington and Moscow to outvote them. America must also take
its allies in Europe into consideration, particularly Poland and the
Czech Republic, which have decided in favor of the deployment
against enormous opposition. This is all about the reliability of
Washington's promises."

FT Deutschland describes "the offer to Russian President Medvedev as

a smart move because it puts the ball in the Kremlin's court.
Obama's message is that if it is possible to prevent Iran from
building a nuclear bomb, then missile defense, which is unpopular in
Moscow, would no longer be necessary. To reach this goal, Russia
can contribute a great deal. By this move, the new U.S. government
kills several birds with one stone. It says goodbye to a project
that has never been dear to the Democrats. The shield is expensive
and it has never been clear whether it technically works. Obama
also weakens the criticism of the Russians.... The U.S. President
turns the table: Americans are no longer a threat to the security
in Europe, but it is up to Russia to contribute something to the
world's security. Obama's proposal helps to focus on America's
greatest foreign political problem: Iran's nuclear armament."

Handelsblatt's front-page editorial notes: "Has the building of a
missile defense shield so close to Russia ever been a good idea?
Probably not. Technically, it is dubious, and politically, it
stirred up many bad feelings. The cost-benefits ratio has never
been in balance. The fact that the U.S. President now rectifies
this wrong policy is right. But: Is it realistic to hope in return
for Russian cooperation in the dispute with Iran? Probably not....
Abandoning the missile project will not suffice. Obama will have to
put a few more ideas on the table before the NATO summit in April."


3. Clinton Trip to Mideast


All media reported on Secretary of State Clinton's visit to
Jerusalem, where she underscored the goal of a two-state solution.
ARD-TV's Tagesschau stated that "she wanted to explore chances for
creating peace in the Middle East," while many conservative parties
currently in negotiations over forging a new Israeli government have
so far rejected U.S. calls for a two-state solution. The newscast
quoted her as saying: "During the conference, I emphasized President
Obama's and my commitment to working to achieve a two-state solution
to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians."

Frankfurter Allgemeine reported that "Secretary of State Clinton
announced in Jerusalem on Tuesday that her government would send two
envoys to Damascus for talks. The representatives of the State
Department and the White House are supposed to clarify bilateral
topics, Clinton said during her first visit to Israel."


4. U.S.-Cuban Relations

Under the headline: "Little Brother Steps Out Of Big Brother's
Shadow," Sueddeutsche reported; "Cuba's President Ral Castro is
depriving Foreign Minister Prez Roque and economic reformer Lage -
and further loyal supporters of Fidel - of their power. This can be
interpreted as an indication that 77-year-old Ral Castro is
breaking with the legacy of seriously-ill Fidel Castro to expand his
own power base. The former German Ambassador to Cuba, Bernd Wulffen,
an expert on domestic political life in Cuba said: 'This firing of
leading Fidelistas is a revolt against the image of the little
brother.' Wulffen thinks that the reshuffle is an indication that
Ral Castro wants to initiate economic reforms, for instance, a
restructuring of the currency and subsidy system."

FAZ reported under the headline: "No Use For The Men Of The
Future"that" Ral Castro struck, and replaced his brother's
followers with officers who are loyal to him. With this team, he
wants to defy the crisis - and Obama's attempts to open up the
country. The Cuban president is really interested in removing all
bureaucratic obstacles for economic activities. But the main thing
is that Ral has now surrounded himself with loyal supporters at all
levels of government. But it remains open what his future goals
are, while Barack Obama is likely to prepare a softening of the U.S.
embargo policy towards Cuba."

Sueddeutsche wondered: "What could this government reshuffle mean?
Possibly two things: On the one hand, Ral Castro is trying to show
some promise as a reformer...but, on the other hand, economic
liberties only sluggishly reach the people, while political
liberties do not reach them at all. Ral Castro is still no
Gorbachev. But some day in the future, even the most patient Cubans
could become impatient if the standard of living does not improve.
U.S. attempts to improve relations with Cuba are threatening because
all the Castros and their comrades are taking advantage of the
specter of the 'American Empire.' The threat from the North is used
as a justification for all kinds of harassments. But this could
change with new President Obama. The Congress of the Communist
Party in the fall is likely to send the first signals. Fidel and
Ral Castro should try to open Cuba, as former Chinese leader Deng
Xiaoping did. And Obama could do nothing better than to give up the
stubborn resistance of the great United States against the small
Cuba during Castro's lifetime."

In the view of Handelsblatt: "What Ral Castro has now done to
everybody's surprise can hardly be described as a reshuffle. Castro
II, the little brother of Castro I, has used an axe at the Cabinet
table and cut those trees which his brother planted and raised. It
is a kind of liberation from a stalemate situation, a move of
77-year-old Ral who wanted to free himself from the shadow of his
brother Fidel. After one year, the new leader has declared an end
to the period of grace for the old Cabinet and the leading figures
of Fidel's mercy and took advantage of his own power base. In
contrast to domestic policy a new wind will now be blowing in
foreign policy. New Foreign Minister Rodriguez is a cool-headed guy
with a lot of experience in the international arena. His nomination
looks as if Ral Castro is now extending his hand to the arch enemy
on the other side of the Streets of Florida."

Die tageszeitung editorialized: "This is the thus far most visible
break with Fidel Castro's policy Cuba's President Ral Castro is
now removing the most important political personalities whom Fidel
Castro had built up. The new direction of the government reshuffle
is economic opening with a simultaneous political consolidation.
For Havana, the nonsensical U.S. embargo policy was a welcome reason
to keep everything as it is. But the reverse is also true that in
hardly any other country on the U.S. government's list of opponents
could the open diplomacy that Obama proclaimed so quickly create a
positive dynamic as in Cuba. This is a chance that Obama should
use."


5. Future Strategy on Afghanistan

Under the headline "Karzai Opens The Bag Of Tricks," Berliner
Zeitung comments: "The color has been wearing off after five years.
The difficult security situation around Kabul, the increasing terror
in the provinces, corruption and particularly the rise in crime is
greatly frustrating many people. Just to promise things, like in
2004, is no longer enough. To win the elections, Karzai must allow
more people to benefit from being in power. This might help him
remain in power, but it will not improve the government and it is
even counterproductive for the efforts to establish a more effective
administration."


6. Attack On Sri Lankan Cricket Team

Under the headline: "Attack On A Holy Institution," Sueddeutsche
Zeitung reported; "In Pakistan, the front state in the fight against
international terrorism, nothing seems to be safe any longer - not
even the national sport cricket, the love of all Pakistanis. The
shock in the region sits deep. It is the first time ever that
terrorists have attacked a cricket game. It was to have been the
first international meeting on Pakistani soil since the
assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. That is why
the meeting was celebrated [everywhere]. And Sri Lanka's cricket
association was praised for its courage. This was probably the last
time for a long time coming that an international team will dare
tour Pakistan."

Frankfurter Allgemeine noted under the headline: "Shots Into The
Heart," that "the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket players hits
Pakistan at a sensitive point. Islamabad has tried in vain to
present itself as a vigorous opponent to terrorists. Now the
government must again wonder whether it is taking enough measures
against the terrorists in its own country. For weeks, the
government has tried to prove to the increasingly worried
international community that it is taking serious action against the
terrorists in the country, but now skeptics will feel confirmed in
their view that Islamabad's measures are insufficient, and partly
even counter productive. The most well-known terrorist leaders in
Pakistan are still not behind bars. At the same time, government
forces have given up their efforts to regain control in the
northwestern part of the country."

"Terror Attack On Sri Lanka's Cricket Team," Die Welt reported:
"Because of the popularity of cricket in South Asia this attack is
of high symbolic significance and is comparable with a terror attack
on a national soccer team in Europe."


7. ECB's Reaction to Financial Crisis

In view of the upcoming meeting of the European Central Bank,
Financial Times Deutschland judged: "In view of the seriousness of
the crisis, the central bankers should now fully understand the
seriousness of the crisis and signal their willingness to use all
possible means to prevent the financial crisis and the recession
from ending up in a depression. If it does not take action, it will
worsen the situation on a short term basis, and, in the long run,
will lose its credibility. But both things would be fatal. Over the
past few weeks, the ECB has dangerously underestimated the financial
crisis and the recession. It confused the markets with
contradictory signals, after long being praised for its ability to
communicate. Now the ECB must prove that it is not blind on the
deflation eye. "



KOENIG