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NU – SOFTPOWER LOW – CHINA TRIP PROVES

NEW YORK TIMES 11-18-2009

Those who are most disappointed by the new global reality are probably Chinese human-rights activists, Tibetans and the Uighur ethnic minority in Xinjiang. Despite Mr. Obama’s soft approach to the human rights and Tibetan issues, Mr. Hu flatly refused to go along with Mr. Obama’s assertions that all countries should uphold the “universal rights” of every man and woman.

NU – OBAMA WILL FAIL IN PUSH TO GET IRAN SANCTIONS

ASSOCIATED PRESS 11-20-2009

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is shifting the focus of its Iran policy from talk to sanctions, but the prospect of winning early international support for toughened new penalties appears dim.

Equally problematic is finding a set of sanctions that would have a significant impact on the prime target of American and international worry: Iran’s suspected pursuit of an atom bomb. Three rounds of U.N. sanctions, dating to December 2006 and aimed mainly at squeezing Iran’s nuclear work, have had little apparent effect.

The administration may get an early indication of its prospects at a huddle Friday in Brussels with senior diplomats from the four other permanent members of the U.N. Security Council — Russia, China, Britain and France — plus Germany. Any decisions on new Iran sanctions, though, are likely weeks away.

The administration has tried for months to draw Iran into talks to resolve international worries that its declared intent to develop a civilian nuclear power network is cover for a secret nuclear weapons program. But the Iranians have shown little interest, while denying any clandestine nuclear ambition.