Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KATHMANDU740
2009-08-10 07:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION: HUMANITARIAN ACTION

Tags:  KMDR KPAO PGOV OPRC NP 
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VZCZCXYZ0005
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKT #0740 2220728
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 100728Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0607
INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 3166
RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 7387
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 2718
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 5430
UNCLAS KATHMANDU 000740 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/INS, PM/CBM, PM/PRO

STATE FOR SCA/PPD, PA/RRU

E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: KMDR, KPAO, PGOV, OPRC, NP
SUBJ: MEDIA REACTION: HUMANITARIAN ACTION

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 000740



SIPDIS



STATE FOR SCA/INS, PM/CBM, PM/PRO



STATE FOR SCA/PPD, PA/RRU



E.O. 12958 N/A

TAGS: KMDR, KPAO, PGOV, OPRC, NP

SUBJ: MEDIA REACTION: HUMANITARIAN ACTION



1. Rajdhani, a vernacular daily, in its editorial

on Friday, August 7, 2009 praised the Former

President Bill Clinton for his able leadership and

negotiation that helped free the detained

journalists in North Korea. The editorial also

commended the United States for being able to

distinguish the relations of the two nations with

the safety of its citizens. It hailed Former

President Clinton as a statesman as well.



2. Excerpts: "It is natural for a government to

prioritize freeing its military or non-military

citizens detained abroad, whether they were in line

of state duty or carrying out their own

responsibilities. But the success of a statesman

and former president, in the capacity of an

individual, in freeing his fellow citizens detained

in an 'enemy' nation has become an inspiring

example."



3. "Former President Bill Clinton has succeeded in

freeing and returning American journalists Laura

Ling and Euna Lee, who had been held captive in DPRK

since March 13. Clinton talked with Korean leader

Kim Jong II. On the one hand, Clinton showed

magnanimity by apologizing on their behalf and on

the other hand, received applause from the American

government and people."



4. "...Stating that it was not only a victory for

the journalists' families but also a matter of

national joy and delight, President Obama said the

Clinton Mission was part of a 'National Mission'.

However a former American representative at the UN,

John Walton, has said the issue could be a disgrace

to America as it was like bowing down to

'terrorism'. But this probably is a reaction

representing the minority."



5. "The biggest message of 'Clinton Mission' was

that a country cannot be considered safe if its

citizens within or outside the country are not safe.

A country would be respected only if its citizens

are safe anywhere, in any situation. For Nepalis,

who have been unable to be respected and be safe,

the difference of Clinton Mission is clear. Further,

this incident has made politics and politicians more

respectful in America and the entire world."



6. "The relation between Pyongyang and America is

not only complicated but is laden with enmity. By

terming it Clinton's private 'humanitarian mission',

the president's office had hinted that Pyongyang

could not receive any 'concession' from America.

Clinton's mission had a stronger moral aspect of a

statesman, rather than a country's nuclear or

military powers. That's the reason the lives of

Laura and Lee, just two human being like us, could

be saved. That's a different and happy reason for

the world to celebrate."



MOON

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