MEDIA REACTION: AFGHANISTAN

UNCLAS HONG KONG 000334 DEPT FOR INR/R/MR, INR/IC/CD, I/FW DEPT FOR EAP/PD, EAP/CM, EAP/P DEPT FOR VOA/BRF, TV-WPA WHITE HOUSE FOR NSC PRC POSTS FOR PA AIT USPACOM FOR FOR CIS PD ADVISER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: AFGHANISTAN TOPIC: Afghanistan HEADLINES AND EXCERPTS: "Obama risks increasing troops in Afghanistan" The pro-PRC Chinese-language Macau Daily News remarked in an editorial (2/24): "U.S. President Obama made a major military decision on February 17 by approving an increase of 17,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, increasing the overall troops in Afghanistan almost by half. But the number is 40 percent less than the military requested. Obama believes that it is a necessary measure to stabilize the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. Obama has not yet fulfilled his campaign promise on withdrawing troops in Iraq; and now, he increases troops in Afghanistan. This may bring him some political risks. Many experts think that Afghanistan is a bigger challenge to the U.S. than Iraq.... During the presidential campaign, Obama strongly criticized the ruling Republican Party in its handling of the war in Iraq. Now, he is facing the more thorny war in Afghanistan. Analysts believe that Obama should remember the lesson learnt from the Vietnam War and avoid falling into the quagmire with the war in Afghanistan. Newsweek recently wrote in its cover story: Afghanistan is becoming Obama's 'Vietnam' and American people will finally be forsaken. Since Obama is eager to show his tough side, he pledges to 'win' the war in Afghanistan. His case is very similar to President Kennedy and President Johnson during the Vietnam War. In the eyes of Newsweek, they may share the same 'unfortunate' experiences." DONOVAN