

Currently released so far... 12478 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AU
ASEC
AE
AF
AORC
AEMR
AMGT
ABUD
AFFAIRS
APER
AS
AMED
AY
AG
AR
AJ
AL
AID
AM
AODE
ABLD
AMG
AFIN
ATRN
AGAO
AFU
AN
AA
ALOW
APECO
ADM
ARF
ASEAN
APEC
AMBASSADOR
AO
ASUP
AZ
AADP
ACOA
ANET
AMCHAMS
ACABQ
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
APCS
AGMT
AINF
AIT
AORL
ACS
AFSI
AFSN
ACBAQ
AFGHANISTAN
ADANA
ADPM
AX
ADCO
AECL
AMEX
ACAO
ASCH
AORG
AGR
AROC
ASIG
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
BL
BR
BO
BA
BD
BM
BK
BG
BU
BB
BH
BTIO
BY
BEXP
BP
BE
BRUSSELS
BF
BIDEN
BT
BX
BC
BILAT
BN
BBSR
BTIU
BWC
BMGT
CA
CASC
CVIS
CM
CH
CO
CU
CD
CWC
CI
CS
CY
CMGT
CF
CG
CR
CB
CV
CW
CE
CBW
CT
CPAS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CJAN
CODEL
CIDA
CDG
CDC
CIA
CTR
CNARC
CSW
CN
CONS
CLINTON
COE
CROS
CARICOM
CONDOLEEZZA
COUNTER
CL
COM
CICTE
CIS
CFED
COUNTRY
CJUS
CBSA
CEUDA
CLMT
CAC
COPUOS
CIC
CBE
CHR
CTM
CVR
CITEL
CLEARANCE
CACS
CAN
CITT
CARSON
CACM
CDB
CAPC
CKGR
CBC
EC
EG
EPET
ECON
ETRD
EFIN
EIND
EMIN
ENRG
EAID
EAGR
EUN
ETTC
EAIR
ENIV
ES
EU
EINV
ELAB
ECIN
EFIS
ELTN
EWWT
ECPS
ECONOMIC
ENGR
EN
EINT
EPA
ELN
ESA
EZ
ER
ET
EFTA
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
EXTERNAL
EI
EUR
EK
ERNG
ENGY
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENERG
EINVEFIN
ENVR
ECA
ELECTIONS
ETC
EUREM
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EURN
ECINECONCS
EEPET
EXIM
ERD
ENVI
ETRC
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ETRO
EDU
ETRN
EAIG
ECONCS
ECONOMICS
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
EIAR
EXBS
ECUN
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ESENV
ECONEFIN
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUNCH
EINVETC
IZ
IT
IR
IS
IN
IC
IAEA
IO
ICAO
IWC
ID
IV
ISRAEL
IAHRC
IQ
ICTR
IMF
IRS
IDP
IGAD
ICRC
ICTY
IMO
IL
INRA
INRO
ICJ
ITU
IBRD
INMARSAT
IIP
ITALY
IEFIN
IACI
ILO
INTELSAT
ILC
ITRA
IDA
INRB
IRC
INTERPOL
IA
IPR
IRAQI
ISRAELI
INTERNAL
ISLAMISTS
INDO
ITPHUM
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
IBET
INR
IEA
IZPREL
IRAJ
ITF
IF
KDEM
KU
KPAL
KNNP
KCRM
KZ
KN
KS
KJUS
KTFN
KSCA
KV
KISL
KPAO
KPKO
KIRF
KTIA
KIPR
KFLO
KFRD
KTIP
KAWC
KSUM
KCOM
KAID
KE
KTDB
KMDR
KOMC
KWBG
KDRG
KVPR
KTEX
KGIC
KWMN
KSCI
KCOR
KACT
KDDG
KHLS
KSAF
KFLU
KSEO
KMRS
KSPR
KOLY
KSEP
KVIR
KGHG
KIRC
KUNR
KIFR
KCIP
KMCA
KMPI
KBCT
KHSA
KICC
KIDE
KCRS
KMFO
KRVC
KRGY
KR
KAWK
KG
KFIN
KHIV
KBIO
KOCI
KBTR
KNEI
KPOA
KCFE
KPLS
KSTC
KHDP
KPRP
KCRCM
KLIG
KCFC
KTER
KREC
KTBT
KPRV
KSTH
KRIM
KRAD
KWAC
KWMM
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KOMS
KX
KMIG
KRCM
KVRP
KBTS
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNAR
KPWR
KNPP
KDEMAF
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KGIT
KPAI
KTLA
KFSC
KCSY
KSAC
KTRD
KID
KOM
KMOC
KJUST
KGCC
KREL
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KO
KNSD
KHUM
KSEC
KCMR
KCHG
KICA
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KCGC
KWWMN
KPAK
KWNM
KWMNCS
KRFD
MOPS
MCAP
MPOS
MARR
MO
MNUC
MX
MASS
MG
MY
MU
ML
MR
MILITARY
MTCRE
MT
MEPP
MA
MDC
MP
MAR
MASSMNUC
MARAD
MAPP
MZ
MD
MI
MEETINGS
MK
MCC
MEPN
MRCRE
MAS
MIL
MASC
MC
MV
MTCR
MIK
MUCN
MEDIA
MERCOSUR
MW
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MTRE
MEPI
MQADHAFI
MAPS
NO
NATO
NL
NP
NZ
NSF
NI
NH
NG
NAFTA
NU
NASA
NR
NATOPREL
NSSP
NSG
NA
NT
NW
NK
NPT
NPA
NATIONAL
NPG
NSFO
NS
NSC
NE
NGO
NDP
NIPP
NRR
NEW
NZUS
NC
NAR
NV
NORAD
OTRA
OPCW
OVIP
OAS
OREP
OPIC
OIIP
OPRC
ODIP
OEXC
OPDC
OSCE
OIC
OSCI
OECD
OFDP
OFDA
OMIG
OPAD
OFFICIALS
OVP
OIE
OHUM
OCS
OBSP
OTR
OSAC
ON
OCII
OES
PGOV
PREL
PHUM
PTER
PINS
PINR
PREF
PK
PROP
PA
PARM
PBTS
PMAR
PM
PGIV
PE
PRAM
PHUH
PHSA
PL
PNAT
PO
PLN
PAO
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PF
PEL
PBIO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PAS
POL
PREO
PAHO
PMIL
POGOV
POV
PAK
PNR
PRL
PG
PREFA
PSI
PINL
PU
PARMS
PRGOV
PALESTINIAN
PAIGH
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POSTS
PROG
PORG
PTBS
PUNE
POLICY
PDOV
PCI
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PBT
PP
PS
PY
PTERE
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PRELP
PSEPC
PGOVE
PINF
PNG
PGOC
PFOR
PCUL
POLINT
PGGV
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PGOVLO
PHUS
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
RS
RU
RELATIONS
RW
RO
RM
RP
ROOD
RICE
RUPREL
RSO
RCMP
REACTION
REPORT
REGION
RIGHTS
RF
RFE
RSP
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
SU
SCUL
SNAR
SOCI
SF
SA
SHUM
SENV
SP
SR
SY
SANC
SC
SMIG
SZ
SARS
SW
SEVN
SO
SEN
SL
SNARCS
SNARN
SI
SG
SN
SH
SYR
SAARC
SPCE
SHI
SCRS
SENVKGHG
SYRIA
SWE
STEINBERG
SIPRS
ST
SNARIZ
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SIPDIS
SAN
TC
TI
TBIO
TH
TSPL
TRGY
TSPA
TPHY
TU
TW
TS
TAGS
TK
TX
TNGD
TZ
TF
TL
TV
TN
TD
TIP
TR
TP
TO
TT
TFIN
THPY
TERRORISM
TINT
TRSY
TURKEY
TBID
US
UK
UNGA
UP
UZ
UNMIK
USTR
UNO
UNSC
UN
UNESCO
UNAUS
UNHRC
UY
UG
UNHCR
UNCND
USOAS
USEU
UNICEF
UNEP
UV
UNPUOS
UNCSD
USUN
UNCHR
UNDC
USNC
UE
UNDP
UNC
USPS
USAID
UNVIE
UAE
UNFICYP
UNODC
UNCHS
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNCHC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 10BERLIN8, MEDIA REACTION: U.S., AFGHANISTAN, IRAN, MIDEAST, ICELAND,
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #10BERLIN8.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
10BERLIN8 | 2010-01-06 13:25 | 2011-01-13 05:37 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Berlin |
VZCZCXRO1676
RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHLZ
DE RUEHRL #0008/01 0061325
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 061325Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6189
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 1893
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0615
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1132
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 2637
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 1658
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 0821
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 05 BERLIN 000008
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"
SIPDIS
E.0. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AF IF XF IC EFIN
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S., AFGHANISTAN, IRAN, MIDEAST, ICELAND,
DEFENSE, ECONOMIC;BERLIN
¶1. Lead Stories Summary
¶2. (U.S.) Obama - Intelligence Services' Meeting
¶3. (Afghanistan) London Conference
¶4. (Iran) Ban to Talk to Foreign Institutions
¶5. (Mideast) New Peace Efforts
¶6. (Iceland) Government Won't Repay Debts
¶7. (Defense) A 400 M
¶8. (Economic) State of U.S. Economy
¶1. Lead Stories Summary
The main story in today's print media is the conflict between
Foreign
Minister Westerwelle and the head of the Expellee Organization,
Erika
Steinbach, on her future job as board member of the Foundation
"Flight, Expulsion, Reconciliation." Other stories deal with
Iceland's refusal to repay debts to the UK and the Netherlands
(Handelsblatt, FT Deutschland) and the most recent unemployment
figures (Berliner Zeitung). Editorials focused on the Steinbach-
Westerwelle conflict and on the renewable energies project in the
North Sea. ZDF-TV's early evening newscast heute and ARD-TV's early
evening newscast Tagesschau opened with reports on Steinbach.
¶2. (U.S.) Obama - Intelligence Services' Meeting
Under the headline "Obama acts as counterterrorism President,"
Spiegel
Online led with a story noting: "He wanted to move away from the
warlike politics of his predecessor George W. Bush, but the failed
Detroit attack makes clear: the fight against terrorism is also the
main business for Barack Obama. His speech after the intelligence
meeting shows how much the new role will change his style of
government."
Berliner Zeitung (1/6) noted: "One result was clear already prior to
the security meeting: The dark shadow of terror fears has settled
down
around Obama's presidency. Before the Detroit plot, the topic
hardly
played a role eight years after 9/11... Experts now believe that it
will play a greater role on Obama's agenda this year."
FT Deutschland (1/6) carried a page on America's airport security
policy, highlighting: "America closes down - In fear of new terror
attacks, the U.S. tightens its entry regulations. However, many of
the protectionist measures are ineffective and put off tourists and
businessmen. Israel shows how to create high security standards
with
little use of technology."
Berliner Zeitung (1/6) headlined "Double agent humiliates the CIA,"
and notes in its intro: "Many things that happened last week at the
CIA outpost Forward Operating Base Chapman in the Afghan border
region
are still unclear.... However, it seems to be clear what led to the
BERLIN 00000008 002 OF 005
serious setback: the suicide bomber was obviously a double agent
with
connections to al Qaida.... The terror network humiliated the CIA
with
a cat-and-mouse game."
¶3. (Afghanistan) London Conference
Frankfurter Allgemeine (1/6) editorialized on Foreign Minister
Westerwelle's statement that he seeks a "political" solution to the
conflict in Afghanistan: "He believes that this will allow him to
avoid the discussion over an increase of German troops in
Afghanistan.
The reality looks different. Westerwelle and the Americans share
the
same goal, but they differ on the path to get there. 2,500 American
soldiers are supposed to be deployed to Kunduz, which is in the
north
of the country, where the Germans bear the responsibility. Some of
them are supposed to train 4,000 Afghan soldiers; other units will
protect the camp and secure the region.... This makes clear what a
challenge it is to set up Afghan security forces. It will not be
possible without additional foreign assistance, including a military
component."
¶4. (Iran) Ban to Talk to Foreign Institutions
Under the headline "Iran also focuses on German foundations," Die
Welt
(1/6) reported that "the regime imposed a ban on contacting 60
institutions in the country and abroad.... The prohibition to talk
to
international broadcasters further limits the freedom to move for
opposition leader Musawi and Medhi Karubi." Frankfurter Allgemeine
(1/6) headlined "Regime in Iran Broadens its Censorship," adding
"Given the ongoing protests against the regime, the Iranian
intelligence service tries to isolate 60 domestic and international
institutions."
¶5. (Mideast) New Peace Efforts
Frankfurter Allgemeine (1/6) commented: "The kind of two-state
solution that would be acceptable to Israelis and Palestinians is
not
a secret. It is more difficult to get both conflicting parities to
reach these compromises despite the great political risks. The
current path of building confidence has not worked. President Obama
and his Mideast envoy Mitchell obviously want to try it the other
way
around: they lure both sides into new negotiations by promising that
they will be finished after two years.... Given the many failed
efforts, the new attempt is worthwhile. However, the Israelis and
Palestinians - and their leaders - must be willing themselves to
create peace."
¶6. (Iceland) Government Won't Repay Debts
Several papers (1/6) reported that the Iceland's President Grimsson
BERLIN 00000008 003 OF 005
announced that he would veto the repayment of 3.5 billion euro to
foreign depositors and that he refused to sign a bill from which
primarily British and Dutch savers would have profited. Frankfurter
Allgemeine reported under the headline: "Iceland Blocks
Compensations," while Die Welt headlined: "Iceland's President Uses
His Right to Veto Compensation of Savors" and reported: "It was the
second time in the 65-year history of the country that a president
whose job is primarily to represent the country, used his right to
refuse to approve a bill. According to the Constitution, a
referendum
must decide in such a case. Grimsson's step is likely to intensify
domestic turbulence in the island state, which has been especially
hard hit by the financial crisis.... The unresolved compensation
question is an obstacle to Icelandic efforts to join the EU and to
get
support from the IMF." Tagesspiegel headlined: "Presidential Veto
Plunges Iceland Into Crisis," while Financial Times Deutschland led
with the lead story: "Iceland Risking Accession to the EU."
Handelsblatt carried a lead story under the headline: "Iceland
Risking
Conflict with IMF."
Berliner Zeitung (1/6) analyzed the situation in the country and
wrote: "The nation held its breath, for what usually happens was
declared a vital question this time. More than 60,000 Icelanders -
one quarter of al voters - called upon their president in a petition
to stop the so-called compensation bill. He did it yesterday and
suggested a referendum on it. This bill is more than a technical
formality. It is the key document for the self understanding of the
Icelanders after the collapse of their economy but also for their
country's rapprochement with Europe. However, a referendum could
jeopardize Iceland's quick accession to the EU because it cannot
bypass London and The Hague on its way to Brussels. And both
governments clearly signaled yesterday that, without compensation
for
foreign depositors, there will be no accession and no further [EU]
loans."
In a front-page editorial, Handelsblatt (1/6) argued under the
headline: "Fear of State Bankruptcy," that "Iceland's refusal
clearly
shows that, in 2010, we will have to fight fears that countries do
not
or are incapable of repaying their debt. Cases such as Dubai,
Greece,
Latvia, and Ukraine are nurturing this fear. But Iceland is a
special
case and has good chances to recover.... The country does not have
to
repay external debt by the end of 2011 and will have good chances
with
a high per capita income to be in a better situation soon if it
wants
to get fresh money from investors. Despite the economic misery it
is
at least possible to play a poker game, as the president and the
Icelanders are doing. Other states such as Greece do not have such
possibilities - and we will hear quite a lot from these countries in
BERLIN 00000008 004 OF 005
2010."
According to Financial Times Deutschland (1/6), "The Icelandic
government signed a contract in which it gave assurances to pay
compensation. Serious contractors stick to such promises when the
contract has not even entered into force. By withholding his
signature, the Icelandic president is now also questioning Iceland's
membership of the circle of industrialized countries that need to be
taken seriously, let alone its declared goal of joining the EU.
Obviously, neither the protesting people nor the President are aware
of what is at risk. In addition to the country's political
respectability, Iceland's economic prosperity is at risk. Who wants
to invest in the country on whose promises we cannot rely? And who
will save Iceland and its currency during the next crisis if the
Europeans - and this is understandable - have had enough?"
¶7. (Defense) A 400 M
Frankfurter Allgemeine (1/6) carried a report under the headline:
"Airbus Threatens To Scrap Military Transportation Aircraft," and
wrote: "The tone in the controversy over the financing of the A 400
M
military transportation aircraft is getting sharper. Airbus is now
openly threatening to scrap the program if the governments do no
make
concessions in the talks with the company. Financial Times
Deutschland reported that EADS CEO Thomas Enders only sees a 50:50
chance for a successful agreement. This threat is primarily direct
against the German government, which is taking the toughest position
in the talks. The parliamentary Undersecretary of Defense,
Christian
Schmidt (CSU) explained the German position towards FAZ: 'Cancelling
the contract is not the subject matter of talks.' The negotiating
partner would be EADS, not Airbus, he said, and added: 'For us, the
contract is the basis. Additional demands from EADS are on the
table
and that is the subject matter of talks.'"
According to Die Welt (1/6), "the Europeans are threatened with a
disgrace. When Airbus is threatening to scrap the A 400 M military
transportation aircraft, then this is in reality the last attempt to
save the project. Saber rattling is a well tested tactical game in
difficult negotiations...and a continuation of the project is very
likely. First, the end of the project would also be expensive for
EADS. In addition, EADS's reputation as a reliable supplier would
be
at risk.... And the nations that have ordered the plane will not be
able to avoid additional payments either. They must also be blamed
for an increase in costs. Germany, France, and the other countries
wanted to demonstrate together with EADS that Europe is able to
finance enormous arms projects such as the A 400 M. It would be a
disgrace for the producer and for the ordering nations to display
BERLIN 00000008 005 OF 005
the
three prototypes of the aircraft, whose development already cost
billions of euros, in a museum."
¶8. (Economic) State of U.S. Economy
Under the headline: "U.S. Recovery Lacks Strength," Handelsblatt
(1/6)
editorialized: "The U.S. economy is turning around, profits and
orders
increase and the stock markets are cheering, but the biggest economy
has been put on drugs and these drugs are losing their effect. The
arguments of the optimists, according to which the U.S. economy has
embarked upon a path of growth, are only true for the short term.
The
current upswing is based on the fact that companies have increased
their production after previous historic cuts and are rebuilding
inventories. On paper, this creates a strong increase in
production,
even though the turnover of many companies has hardly recovered from
their plunge. Experience teaches us that such recoveries, which are
only based on a change with respect to inventories, do not last very
long. In addition, the optimists hardly say that the upswing rests
almost exclusively on state doping. This effect is, on a short term
basis, stimulating, but in the long run, dangerous. For a long-term
recovery, the U.S. economy, which is driven by domestic consumption,
needs signs of relaxation from the highly indebted consumers and
profound optimism on the part of the companies to initiate a new
wave
of investments. The optimists can wish for such a development, but
they cannot make it happen."
DELAWIE