Cablegate: Media Reaction: Afghanistan, Climate, Cia, Serbian Eu

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DE RUEHRL #1617/01 3571635
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 231635Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6126
INFO RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUCNFRG/FRG COLLECTIVE
RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 1853
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0575
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1091
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 2596
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RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 0781
RHMFIUU/HQ USAFE RAMSTEIN AB GE
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//J5 DIRECTORATE (MC)//
RHMFISS/CDRUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE
RUKAAKC/UDITDUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BERLIN 001617

STATE FOR INR/R/MR, EUR/PAPD, EUR/PPA, EUR/CE, INR/EUC, INR/P,
SECDEF FOR USDP/ISA/DSAA, DIA FOR DC-4A

VIENNA FOR CSBM, CSCE, PAA

"PERISHABLE INFORMATION -- DO NOT SERVICE"

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TAGS: OPRC KMDR AF GM KGHG US SR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: AFGHANISTAN, CLIMATE, CIA, SERBIAN EU
BID;BERLIN

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1. Lead Stories Summary
2. Serbian EU Bid
3. Climate Change
4. Lithuania -- CIA Covert Prisons
5. Afghanistan

1. Lead Stories Summary

ARD-TV's Tagesschau and ZDF-TV's Heute opened with stories on the
idea of increasing contributions to the unemployment insurance fund
in 2011. Frankfurter Allgemeine ("Coalition of like-minded for
climate protection?") and Sueddeutsche ("Germany exceeds Kyoto
climate goals") led with stories on climate protection. Frankfurter
Rundschau focused on the airstrikes in Kunduz. Editorials focused
on financial topics, Serbia's EU bid, and climate change, and the
German debate on Afghanistan.

2. Serbian EU Bid

Under the headline "The long way to the West," Tagesspiegel
editorialized: "Recent years have made clear that it is worthwhile
to lure particularly this country into the EU. With every little
step towards the West, Serbian nationalists have lost support. Even
the separation of Kosovo has not revived radical forces and did not
divide the country. Serbia is becoming more stable, and so does its
neighborhood."

Die Welt opined: "Croatia, Albania, Macedonia, Turkey - and now also
the country whose former government is responsible for the war in
the Balkans? Not to speak of the fact that war criminal Ratko
Mladic is still at large, although his extradition has always been a
condition for EU entry talks. Although talks are still a long way
off, the people are already looking towards Southeastern Europe with
some displeasure... With Serbia, a country would enter the EU that
has not yet overcome socialism and the war."

Frankfurter Rundschau headlined "Serbia belongs in the West," and
wrote in an analysis: "Much speaks in favor for a quick entry of
the country into the EU. Both need each other economically and
politically... The region's economic integration and Bosnia's
stability are reasons for a speedy accession of Serbia. The
beginning of entry talks would open up three more EU funds to Serbia
with some 250 million Euros annually. The money would be
well-invested. The fact that the war criminal Mladic has not been
caught yet and that the status of Kosovo is still unclear, does not
speak against Serbia's quick integration."

3. Climate Change

Frankfurter Allgemeine editorialized: "The shock of the failure of
the Copenhagen conference on climate change was so great that the
reasons for it have not been analyzed. Especially the German
government does not want to blame anyone in particular, in order not
to fall out with the Chinese, the Africans or the Americans prior
to the upcoming negotiations in Bonn. An honest critique would have
to focus on the Europeans... By convincing themselves that they are
to blame for the disappearance of Tuvalu, they provoked many
countries in the world to make unreasonable compensation demands.
The Europeans provided a perfect excuse for the emerging countries
to wash their hands of the process."

Sueddeutsche opined: "China has successfully torpedoed the
international climate conference. It is important to state this....
Not only in absolute figures is China the greatest emitter of
greenhouse gases. Beijing's defensive lie that the Chinese only
produce a fifth of the emissions per capita compared with the
Americans is fading away as quickly as the glaciers of Tibet. The
per capita emissions along the developed coastlines of China are

BERLIN 00001617 002.2 OF 002

growing rapidly. As a result, China's argument that it is only a
little sinner, will be hot air in a few years.... The role China
played in Copenhagen will hopefully have consequences. The country,
which presents itself increasingly self-confidently to the world,
must bear more responsibility than in the past."

Die Welt commented: "The friends and allies of the U.S. must be
aware of the fact that the obstructive Senate is tying Obama's
hands, while the rest of the world needs the U.S. to take action.
Concerning climate protection, the reduction of the national debt,
disarmament and the war, Republicans can and will do everything to
prevent the government from taking action.... The balance of
President Obama's legislative record is therefore meager."

4. Lithuania -- CIA Covert Prisons

Frankfurter Allgemeine editorialized: "Lithuania approached the
question of whether the CIA operated covert prisons on its territory
quicker and more effectively than Poland and Romania, which were
under suspicion already years ago. This is good, although the
investigation report does not answer all questions. Lithuania's
diligence had several reasons: it wanted to rescue its good
reputation and there was also a domestic power struggle. However,
President Grybauskaite and Prime Minister Kubilius emphasized that
it was about the fundamental question whether, even in the lethal
fight of terrorism, democratic states must require intelligence
services to obey the law. Lithuanians are sensitive about this
issue, because they know where this led in Moscow."

5. Afghanistan

Sueddeutsche Zeitung noted on the SPD's attempt to change its policy
on Afghanistan: "Concerning its policy on Afghanistan, the SPD is
carrying a heavy burden. It includes the unqualified solidarity
former Chancellor Schroeder promised to the U.S. after the attacks
on September 11, 2001, former Defense Minister Struck's statement
that Germany's security is defended in Afghanistan, and Steinmeier's
role as a leading minister responsible for the mission in the
country. If Afghanistan is at war, then it also is the war of the
SPD. It does not come as a surprise that the Social Democrats are
uncomfortable in this position. The mission in Afghanistan is
unpopular and many in the SPD are longing for presenting themselves
to voters again as a party of peace. It suits the picture that SPD
Chairman Gabriel has responded to this, quicker and more loudly than
the party's parliamentary leader."

Berliner Zeitung analyzed Defense Minister zu Guttenberg's proposal
to start talks with some groups of the insurgents: "If you cannot
defeat your enemy within eight years, you are well advised to meet
for a cup of tea. The fact that zu Guttenberg is now ready to do
this, shows that he has learned a lesson."

Stuttgarter Zeitung commented: "Concerning the U.S. desire to
increase the German contingent, more honesty would be good. There
are increasing suggestions indicating a new ceiling. However, the
government quells any debate by referring to the London conference
on Afghanistan at the end of January. Are essential details being
kept secret again and will the Bundestag be exploited to simply pass
the mandate? Such an approach would result in serious damage to
Germany's democratic culture."

DELAWIE

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