Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SEOUL192
2009-02-06 06:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION IN SEOUL
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHUL #0192 0370633 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 060633Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3173 RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 8083 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 5336 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 9204 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5230 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI
UNCLAS SEOUL 000192
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/PD FOR SWALKER, EAP/P, EAP/K
STATE PASS USDA ELECTRONICALLY FOR FAX/ITP SCHEIKH
STATE PASS USTR FOR RCASSIDY
USDOC FOR 4430/IEP/OPB/EAP/JDONIUS
TREASURY FOR OASIA/MGREWE
CINCPAC FOR J-74
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR ECON KS US KPAO KMDR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION IN SEOUL
Subject: Media Reaction; Seoul
Iraq
"A Future for Iraq"
Senior Journalist Kim Young-hie opined in right-of-center JoongAng
Ilbo (02/06): "There are four reasons to believe that the recent
local elections in Iraq bode well for the country's future. First,
the Sunnis had boycotted the 2005 elections, but this time many of
them voted, helping to find a balance in the distribution of power.
Second, Islamic political parties used to be strong and secular
political parties weak, but this year it was the other way around,
indicating the diminishing influence of Iran, which supported them,
and of al-Qaeda. Third, on the day of the election, the Iraqi army
and police, not the U.S. military, headed security, and there was no
major violence. Fourth, young candidates, who have never sought
asylum abroad, ran in the election, a good sign for the future
leadership of the nation. However, there is still a very long way
to go. Iraq is surrounded by Iran, Syria and Jordan, and Jordan
shares a border with Israel. Because of Iraq's geopolitical
location, the U.S.' Iraq policy is directly linked to its instinct
to protect Israel, and Iraqi issues are intertwined with issues of
the Middle East region as a whole. Therefore, if there is no
progress in negotiations for peace in Palestine, on Iran's nuclear
program, or in talks between Syria and Israel on handing over the
Golan Heights, no one knows how long it will take for the seed of
peace in Iraq to sprout and bear fruit."
Global Economy
"Financial Protectionism Could Bring Second Crisis"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (02/06): "The U.S. and Europe
are extending financial aid to their banks on condition that they
boost loans to domestic businesses. With the global credit crunch
unresolved, the only way to boost domestic lending is to cut back on
international loans. That means cash flow in the global financial
markets will be further constricted, leading to a decrease in trade
and making it more difficult for the global economy to recover."
"Even Though 'Buy America' Provisions Have Softened"
Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized (02/06): "The U.S has only
watered down some of the 'Buy America' provisions in its economic
stimulus bill. Furthermore, under this economic crisis, most
countries are facing increasingly intense political pressure to
protect their own businesses and jobs. In this regard, similar
disputes and conflicts will, in all likelihood, resurface at any
time and anywhere."
Stephens
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/PD FOR SWALKER, EAP/P, EAP/K
STATE PASS USDA ELECTRONICALLY FOR FAX/ITP SCHEIKH
STATE PASS USTR FOR RCASSIDY
USDOC FOR 4430/IEP/OPB/EAP/JDONIUS
TREASURY FOR OASIA/MGREWE
CINCPAC FOR J-74
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR ECON KS US KPAO KMDR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION IN SEOUL
Subject: Media Reaction; Seoul
Iraq
"A Future for Iraq"
Senior Journalist Kim Young-hie opined in right-of-center JoongAng
Ilbo (02/06): "There are four reasons to believe that the recent
local elections in Iraq bode well for the country's future. First,
the Sunnis had boycotted the 2005 elections, but this time many of
them voted, helping to find a balance in the distribution of power.
Second, Islamic political parties used to be strong and secular
political parties weak, but this year it was the other way around,
indicating the diminishing influence of Iran, which supported them,
and of al-Qaeda. Third, on the day of the election, the Iraqi army
and police, not the U.S. military, headed security, and there was no
major violence. Fourth, young candidates, who have never sought
asylum abroad, ran in the election, a good sign for the future
leadership of the nation. However, there is still a very long way
to go. Iraq is surrounded by Iran, Syria and Jordan, and Jordan
shares a border with Israel. Because of Iraq's geopolitical
location, the U.S.' Iraq policy is directly linked to its instinct
to protect Israel, and Iraqi issues are intertwined with issues of
the Middle East region as a whole. Therefore, if there is no
progress in negotiations for peace in Palestine, on Iran's nuclear
program, or in talks between Syria and Israel on handing over the
Golan Heights, no one knows how long it will take for the seed of
peace in Iraq to sprout and bear fruit."
Global Economy
"Financial Protectionism Could Bring Second Crisis"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo editorialized (02/06): "The U.S. and Europe
are extending financial aid to their banks on condition that they
boost loans to domestic businesses. With the global credit crunch
unresolved, the only way to boost domestic lending is to cut back on
international loans. That means cash flow in the global financial
markets will be further constricted, leading to a decrease in trade
and making it more difficult for the global economy to recover."
"Even Though 'Buy America' Provisions Have Softened"
Moderate Hankook Ilbo editorialized (02/06): "The U.S has only
watered down some of the 'Buy America' provisions in its economic
stimulus bill. Furthermore, under this economic crisis, most
countries are facing increasingly intense political pressure to
protect their own businesses and jobs. In this regard, similar
disputes and conflicts will, in all likelihood, resurface at any
time and anywhere."
Stephens