Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09HONGKONG334
2009-02-24 08:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Hong Kong
how-toP 240827Z FEB 09 FM AMCONSUL HONG KONG TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6950 INFO WHITE HOUSE WASHDC USDOC WASHDC AMEMBASSY BEIJING AMCONSUL SHANGHAI AMCONSUL GUANGZHOU AIT TAIPEI 0209 CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
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
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