Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STOCKHOLM514
2009-08-17 09:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:
Media Reaction - Clinton Africa visit
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UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000514
SIPDIS
SECSTATE FOR INR/R/MR, EUR/PPD, EUR/NB
BRUSSELS FOR REGIONAL MEDIA HUB
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO PINR SW XA
SUBJECT: Media Reaction - Clinton Africa visit
On August 15, the independent Stockholm morning daily "Dagens
Nyheter" in its main editorial opined on the trip to Africa by
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton under the headline 'Clinton makes
a difference':
"Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's marathon trip to the continent
of Africa has come to an end. The strategy has varied from country
to country and between meetings. Sometimes we have seen a Secretary
of State with outstretched arms la Obama, sometimes a more
traditionally scolding American finger in the air. There is a point
with that. Conciliatory condemnations are not always preferred over
resolute condemnations. The systematic mass rapes in Congo are
nothing that submissively should be understood by the west - they
should just be condemned. And that Hilary Clinton does just fine.
But the other, more Obamaesque, attitude she has also demonstrated.
Not least in South Africa in her meeting with Maite
Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations....
"There is no reason to doubt the sincerity of the American
commitment. And there is reason to believe to a higher degree than
before that South Africa this time is willing to increase pressure
on the dictator in the north. It would not be one day too soon....
"Hillary Clinton probably realizes that the United States will not
be able to do anything south of the Sahara without having South
Africa on board. Now it has to be an end to pampering a continent
that on the one side says they are fighting for their independence
and on the other hand prefers to keep harping on colonial injustices
than stands up and takes on the responsibility that comes with
independence. Those that want responsibility must also be prepared
to take it on. That was one of President Obama's messages when he
visited Ghana earlier this summer, and that was one of Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton's messages now. That bodes well."
SILVERMAN