Cablegate: Media Reaction: Iran
VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHIN #0723 0880853
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 290853Z MAR 07
FM AIT TAIPEI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4670
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 6543
RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 7787
UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 000723
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD - LLOYD NEIGHBORS
DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: IRAN
Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies gave significant
coverage March 29 to an apology by TVBS, a famous cable television
network in Taiwan, on Wednesday evening for the misconduct of two of
its reporters, who shot video footage featuring a gangster
demonstrating an array of firearms and making death threats to the
leader of his gang. News coverage also focused on the 2008
presidential elections and other local issues. In terms of
editorials and commentaries, a column in the pro-status quo "China
Times" commented on UN Security Council Resolution 1747, saying it
has demonstrated the U.S.'s power in the international financial
market. End summary.
"Financial Sanctions are a Specialty of the United States"
The "International Outlook" column in the pro-status quo "China
Times" [circulation: 400,000] (3/29):
"... It stands to reason that financial operations should be
determined by the market, but this is just a theory. In reality,
they can be manipulated completely by the United States via its
diplomatic policies. The funds transfer issue with the Macau-based
Banco Delta Asia has made Pyongyang realize how horrible such power
can be. The Pyongyang authorities do not care about the 20 million
U.S. dollars, but they do care about the invisible hand that can
choke North Korea's activities in the international financial
market. ...
"The UNSC Resolution 1747 specified that 'all States and
international financial institutions may not enter into new
commitments for grants, financial assistance, and concessional loans
to the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, except for
humanitarian and developmental purposes.' This is the United
States' magic weapon. It is certainly not a very severe sanction,
but it already demonstrates the United States' power. Washington
has already requested that its domestic financial institutions
impose sanctions against Iran, and now it has more reason to do so
with this crown from the UN Security Council. ..."
WANG