MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-JAPAN ALLIANCE, U.S. POLICY, NORTH

UNCLAS BEIJING 000080 DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/CM, EAP/PA, EAP/PD, C HQ PACOM FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR (J007) SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ECON SENV KGHG KMDR OPRC CH SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-JAPAN ALLIANCE, U.S. POLICY, NORTH KOREA -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. U.S.-JAPAN ALLIANCE "Where should U.S.-Japan alliance go?" The official Xinhua Daily Telegraph (Xinhua Meiri Dianxun)(01/13)(pg 8): "Experts say that if an alliance is running well, there is no need to reiterate its importance. However, U.S.-Japan relations have seen some friction over the Futenma base and the U.S.-Japan [secret (nuclear) deal issues. Neither the U.S. nor Japan has mentioned weakening the alliance. Japan has requested a decrease in its burden, while the U.S. hopes that it won't negatively influence its military strategy. Such conflicts will go on, but there is little possibility that the alliance will undergo a major change. Japan's long-term goal is to be a normal country. However, at present, the biggest obstacle is the U.S. The recent contradictions between the two are in fact the Hatoyama cabinet's tentative measures toward the U.S. If the U.S.-Japan alliance undergoes any changes, the U.S.-Japan bilateral relations and even the strategic situation in the Asia-Pacific will be severely influenced." ¶2. U.S. POLICY "'Quiet diplomacy' and 'smart power' in the present world" The official intellectual publication Guangming Daily (Guangming Ribao)(01/13)(pg 8): "The changes in the world's situation reflect the profound changes in the international political and economic structure, the balance of international forces and the significant difference between the development of and the reality of a situation that some western countries envisioned years ago. Frequently imposing high-profile pressure, forcefully pushing values on to developing countries, and showing military strengths are less and less likely to be effective. Policy adjustments are needed in order to confirm this trend. 'Quiet diplomacy' which was pledged by the EU Foreign Minister and 'smart power' which is being promoted by the U.S. Secretary of State are both aimed at advancing their countries' and the two major Western economies' own interests. People hope to see less noise, more understanding and communication with each other within developed countries' foreign policy." ¶3. NORTH KOREA "The U.S. refuses North Korea's advice on peace talks" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(01/13)(pg 2): "The U.S. has refused the North Korean Foreign Ministry's advice about peace talks, claiming North Korea must first fulfill its promise of giving up its nuclear programs and then both sides can discuss a peace agreement. The North Korean Ambassador to China said on January 12 that if the U.S. disagrees with having negotiations on a peace agreement and removing sanctions against North Korea, then North Korea will not rejoin the Six-Party Talks. He also said that those sanctions represent prejudice and distrust. It would be best for both parties to sit and have direct talks. The South Korean media suggest that possibly North Korea believes that it would rather ruffle feathers and play the peace agreement-card than just obediently return to Six-Party Talks negotiations. As time goes by, the back-and-forth between the U.S. and North Korea will intensify even more. In fact North Korea continues its economic construction despite the world's speculations. North Korea's new currency policy is still beginning to take shape and its market order has not resumed its previous level from before the DPRK implemented the policy." HUNTSMAN