VZCZCXYZ0009
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSM #0423/01 1940821
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 130821Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4498

UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000423 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SECSTATE FOR INR/R/MR, EUR/PPD, EUR/NB 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO PINS PHUM PINR PREF EUN SW
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