Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO1178
2006-03-06 02:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION US NUCLEAR POLICY/THE

Tags:  OIIP KMDR KPAO JA 
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UNCLAS TOKYO 001178 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR I/RF, PA/PR/FPC/W, IIP/G/EA, EAP/PD, R/MR,
EAP/J, EAP/P, PM;
USTR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE;
TREASURY FOR OASIA/IMI;
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA;
CP BUTLER OKINAWA FOR AREA FIELD OFFICE;
PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO JA
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION US NUCLEAR POLICY/THE
PHILIPPINES - TOKYO

LEAD STORIES: Most Monday morning papers front-paged the
opening of the National Peoples Congress Sunday in
China.

UNCLAS TOKYO 001178

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR I/RF, PA/PR/FPC/W, IIP/G/EA, EAP/PD, R/MR,
EAP/J, EAP/P, PM;
USTR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE;
TREASURY FOR OASIA/IMI;
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA;
CP BUTLER OKINAWA FOR AREA FIELD OFFICE;
PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO JA
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION US NUCLEAR POLICY/THE
PHILIPPINES - TOKYO

LEAD STORIES: Most Monday morning papers front-paged the
opening of the National Peoples Congress Sunday in
China.


1. "Don't Misread Change in US Nuclear Policy" The
business daily Nihon Keizai editorialized (3/6): "The US
has embarked on a major shift in its nuclear energy
policy and its nonproliferation policy, steering both in
the direction of realism. This shift is evident in the
nuclear cooperation agreement reached with India, which
is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty (NPT). Given that one of the aims of this nuclear
accord is to hold China in check, we can say that the US
is using its nuclear energy policy as a diplomatic card.
From the standpoint of Japan, which hopes for the
abolition of nuclear weapons, we cannot help but
entertain skepticism about US moves to enshrine the
status quo of the nuclear club and promote cooperation
that could lead to the transfer of nuclear technology....
While it was concluding an accord with India, which is a
nuclear weapons state, the US has been dealing harshly
with NPT signatory Iran, revealing a double standard in
Washington's nonproliferation policy and forcing
observers to conclude that these moves represent
opportunism on America's part. The US should urge India
to give up its nuclear arms by using the nuclear
cooperation accord as leverage to bring India into the
international framework for nuclear nonproliferation and
the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty."


2. "The Folly of Depending on Authoritarian Measures" An
editorial in the liberal Asahi commented (3/4): "A week-
long state of emergency has been lifted in the
Philippines. Although President Arroyo declared that she
has contained moves to topple her government, the
political situation has yet to return to normal. It has
been 20 years since the 'people power' movement toppled
the Marcos dictatorship. People power also forced the
resignation of President Estrada five years ago. This
time, as well, there were signs that a popular movement
calling for President Arroyo's resignation would grow.
President Arroyo, however, declared a state of emergency
to head this off.... Even former President Ramos, who has
served as an advisor to Arroyo, has said that she has
taken 'excessive measures.'... The Arroyo administration
was rocked by two scandals last year, including
suspicions that she herself was improperly involved in
the vote count for the 2004 presidential election.... The
use of authoritarian measures alone cannot lead to an
improvement of the situation. If President Arroyo does
not go back to the issue of constitutional revision that
she pledged to tackle and also provide clear explanations
regarding the suspicions that dog her, political unrest
will continue to smolder in the Philippines."

SCHIEFFER