Media Reaction - Obama trip to Moscow, G8 and Ghana

UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000423 SIPDIS SECSTATE FOR INR/R/MR, EUR/PPD, EUR/NB E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO PINS PHUM PINR PREF EUN SW SUBJECT: Media Reaction - Obama trip to Moscow, G8 and Ghana MOSCOW ¶1. On July 12, the independent Stockholm morning daily "Dagens Nyheter" in a signed editorial by Peter Wolodarski opined on the Moscow visit under the headline 'Separate worlds in Moscow': "No cheering crowds met Barack Obama in Moscow. With yet another well-formulated and benevolent speech he tried to charm the Russians, but his words did not reach the masses. Only one TV-channel, with limited reach broadcast it, which says something about the control of Russian broadcast media and the cool Russian interest in the American President. The White House speaks of a 'reset' relationship between Washington and Moscow, but fancy metaphors cannot hide the increased divide between east and west.... "Europe and the United States should not hesitate to criticize Russia for violations of human rights or harassment of neighbors. At the same time the example [that Russia wants to retain its membership] with the European Council that the door to Moscow should not be completely closed. Barack Obama did absolutely right to extend his hand to Russia. But it could soon become necessary to pull it back." ¶2. Two more editorial's on President Obama's visit to Russia reflected the general skepticism in Swedish media of the 'reset' of the United States - Russia relationship. On July 7, the independent Stockholm morning daily "Dagens Nyheter" opined under the headline 'Putin for breakfast': "That Obama is trying to lay the foundation for a constructive dialogue between the United States and Russia is well intended. But it is hardly the first time it sounds like this from the White House.... "Eight years ago the tone was remarkably similar when then President Bush had his first meeting with Putin. The two leaders spoke warmly about each other. It was said that the relationship rested on 'mutual respect,' even if Bush and Putin disagreed on the NATO enlargement and the plans for an American missile shield.... "It is no coincidence that Obama has chosen to focus on this. Of all issues that separate Russia and the United States, it is paradoxically disarmament that is one of the less loaded. Talks about nuclear arms returns to Russia a sense of being a superpower, and no great steps forward are required to be able to speak about a restarted relationship.... "Obama's policy is welcomed as long as 'mutual respect' is about this. However, if Russia perceives the new tone to be a green light to threaten its neighbors or continue to weaken the country's democratic institutions, then frankness is preferable. Barack Obama could, like George W. Bush, have reason to soon reconsider his Russia policy." ¶3. On July 8, the independent conservative Stockholm morning daily Svenska Dagbladet in a signed editorial by Ola Martensson opined under the headline 'Kremlin visit among good friends?': "It is difficult to have any real critical views that these two superpowers reach agreements about disarmament of their enormous nuclear arsenals, in itself it should be regarded as a good sign. It could be viewed as a signal to the world how the countries ambitions aim. However, at the same time, one must ask oneself how reliable the sometimes erratic leaders in the Kremlin are.... "Thankfully Obama did not only rub the Kremlin the right way. The speech also breathed criticism of Russia's actions in the Georgia conflict, and the importance of human rights and the problem with corruption." G8 ¶4. On July 11, Henrik Brors at the independent Stockholm morning daily "Dagens Nyheter" concluded the G8 summit under the headline 'Climate demands put increased pressure on Obama': "President Obama has shown that he wants to demonstrate a changed direction for the United States' international relations. He has done it during his visits to the Middle East and Russia. And it clear that he also wanted to show that when he came to the meeting with the G8 leaders for the first time.... "EU President Fredrik Reinfeldt signaled that pressure is now increasing on Obama. 'Obama is the greatest star in world politics today. To a large degree he fulfills the expectations. But the United States is far behind Europe and now comes the time to show how the United States can also become a low-emission country,' said Reinfeldt." GHANA ¶5. The independent Stockholm morning daily "Dagens Nyheter" covered the visit by President Obama to Ghana under the headline 'Obama promises 510 billion [SEK] in aid to Africa': "The choice of Ghana as the first nation for the American President to visit in Africa can be viewed as very politically correct. To visit his family in Kenya would have been viewed as too personal as well as given credibility to the chaotic coalition government that holds power since the country's violence last year. Also in the continent's heavyweights, such as South-Africa, Nigeria and Ethiopia, there are uncertainties about political developments that would have complicated a state visit." ¶6. On July 12 the independent evening paper Expressen opined on their editorial blog on Obama's visit to Ghana under the headline 'Obama in Africa': "It was not only the usual charming rhetoric and feeling for Africa's history and role in the world that Obama tried to convey. He also offered concrete assistance, including increased aid to the continent, even if it is partly continuing aid programs his predecessor George W. Bush launched.... "However, the American President too quickly passed by the issue of free trade. If Africa long-term should be able to rise from poverty generous aid is a necessity - but so is the opportunity for African countries to sell their goods in the United States and Europe, and be able to compete under fair conditions with western companies." SILVERMAN