Media Reaction - Obama trip to Moscow, G8 and Ghana

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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