Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STOCKHOLM41
2009-01-20 13:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:
Media Reaction - President-elect Barack Obama editorials
how-toVZCZCXYZ0006 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHSM #0041 0201305 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 201305Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4052
UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000041
SIPDIS
SECSTATE FOR INR/R/MR, EUR/PPD, EUR/NB, EUR/PA, EUR/FO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO PINS PHUM PREF EUN SW
SUBJECT: Media Reaction - President-elect Barack Obama editorials
I. On January 20, the independent liberal Stockholm morning daily
"Dagens Nyheter" editorialized 'Today the New Begins':
"The enthusiasm for today's presidential inauguration says a lot
about the feelings in the country where an overwhelming majority
believe developments are heading in the wrong direction. Barack
Obama gives hope for the future. According to an opinion poll, 79
per cent are optimistic about the next four years....
"This expectation could become a hindrance for him; the risk for
disappointment is obvious. But the deep financial crisis has made
Americans more realistic - they no longer believe in fast
improvements in the economy or health system....
"Barack Obama will, like all presidents, place American interests
first and will never give an international organization the last
word when it comes to how, where or when American troops are to be
used. But the dangerous blind faith in military ability, the reflex
to primarily act on their own, will be replaced by a greater belief
in multilateralism....
"Barack Obama has to some degree revealed a different side since he
was elected from what he showed in the campaign, something that is
noticeable in, among other things, his appointments. He has
prioritized competence over change....
"The new President takes office in difficult times, even if we
disregard the economic crisis that reasonably will take the major
part of his time....
"He is inheriting two wars - one that he has promised to end, Iraq,
and one where he has promised to increase the American commitment,
namely Afghanistan....
"Expectations are high, not least within the EU. Obama has
demonstrated a completely different attitude to the European
institutions than his predecessor did....
"However, improved relations are not only the responsibility of the
United States. Is the Union prepared for increased American demands
for European action? Is the EU prepared to act in a unified way
when so required?"
II. On January 20, the conservative Stockholm morning daily "Svenska
Dagbladet" in a signed editorial by Political Chief Editor PJ Anders
Linder commented 'The world gets better when it likes the United
States':
"Barack Obama was born in an America where segregation was a living
reality. When he today becomes the Nations first black president it
is a historical message to the minorities in the United States that
their country, despite all its shortcomings, is a Land of
Possibilities without comparison. The majority is able to, like
John McCain in his concession speech on election night, feel joy and
pride over the same exact thing....
"If America does not have the will-power, force and credibility
needed to act as a leader for democracy, a state of law and market
economy, no one else will take on that task. China does not have
the values, EU has neither the will nor the ability....
"Tomorrow is another day. Then Barack Obama will gain power not
only of people's minds and hopes, but also their laws, wallets and
security. That is when he begins to make decisions that will make
people happy or sad. And then it will show that he is also human,
that he will blunder and make mistakes and it is not self-evident
that it is a brilliant idea to spend more than a thousand billion in
stimulus packages when the budget deficit and national debt are
already horrifically large."
SILVERMAN
SIPDIS
SECSTATE FOR INR/R/MR, EUR/PPD, EUR/NB, EUR/PA, EUR/FO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO PINS PHUM PREF EUN SW
SUBJECT: Media Reaction - President-elect Barack Obama editorials
I. On January 20, the independent liberal Stockholm morning daily
"Dagens Nyheter" editorialized 'Today the New Begins':
"The enthusiasm for today's presidential inauguration says a lot
about the feelings in the country where an overwhelming majority
believe developments are heading in the wrong direction. Barack
Obama gives hope for the future. According to an opinion poll, 79
per cent are optimistic about the next four years....
"This expectation could become a hindrance for him; the risk for
disappointment is obvious. But the deep financial crisis has made
Americans more realistic - they no longer believe in fast
improvements in the economy or health system....
"Barack Obama will, like all presidents, place American interests
first and will never give an international organization the last
word when it comes to how, where or when American troops are to be
used. But the dangerous blind faith in military ability, the reflex
to primarily act on their own, will be replaced by a greater belief
in multilateralism....
"Barack Obama has to some degree revealed a different side since he
was elected from what he showed in the campaign, something that is
noticeable in, among other things, his appointments. He has
prioritized competence over change....
"The new President takes office in difficult times, even if we
disregard the economic crisis that reasonably will take the major
part of his time....
"He is inheriting two wars - one that he has promised to end, Iraq,
and one where he has promised to increase the American commitment,
namely Afghanistan....
"Expectations are high, not least within the EU. Obama has
demonstrated a completely different attitude to the European
institutions than his predecessor did....
"However, improved relations are not only the responsibility of the
United States. Is the Union prepared for increased American demands
for European action? Is the EU prepared to act in a unified way
when so required?"
II. On January 20, the conservative Stockholm morning daily "Svenska
Dagbladet" in a signed editorial by Political Chief Editor PJ Anders
Linder commented 'The world gets better when it likes the United
States':
"Barack Obama was born in an America where segregation was a living
reality. When he today becomes the Nations first black president it
is a historical message to the minorities in the United States that
their country, despite all its shortcomings, is a Land of
Possibilities without comparison. The majority is able to, like
John McCain in his concession speech on election night, feel joy and
pride over the same exact thing....
"If America does not have the will-power, force and credibility
needed to act as a leader for democracy, a state of law and market
economy, no one else will take on that task. China does not have
the values, EU has neither the will nor the ability....
"Tomorrow is another day. Then Barack Obama will gain power not
only of people's minds and hopes, but also their laws, wallets and
security. That is when he begins to make decisions that will make
people happy or sad. And then it will show that he is also human,
that he will blunder and make mistakes and it is not self-evident
that it is a brilliant idea to spend more than a thousand billion in
stimulus packages when the budget deficit and national debt are
already horrifically large."
SILVERMAN