Media Reaction - President-elect Barack Obama editorials

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