MEDIA REACTION US NATIONAL SECURITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 001453 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 NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY/TRILATERAL STRATEGIC DIALOGUE/THE IRAQ WAR THREE YEARS ON - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: Most Monday morning papers front-paged Japan's victory Sunday over South Korea in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic. ¶1. "US National Security Strategy: Has US Learned from Iraq War?" The liberal Asahi editorialized (3/18): "The National Security Strategy released recently by President Bush represents a revision of the so-called Bush doctrine that was put together in the aftermath of 9/11. At a time when tensions were rising over Iraq and weapons of mass destruction, the US in 2002 revealed a new strategy of not hesitating to launch preemptive strikes in the war on terrorism. Six months later, the US attacked Iraq. The president said that this report does not represent any change in America's basic strategy. Nevertheless, as it emphasizes the need to prioritize diplomatic solutions and multilateral coordination, this report is a step back from the previous hard-line stance. We can see that a subtle correction of course has been made following America's failure in Iraq. It is a matter of course that the three years of war there have profoundly influenced the creation of a new diplomatic and military strategy." ¶2. "Trilateral Strategic Dialogue: Strengthening Unity Important for Regional Stability" An editorial in the top- circulation, moderate Yomiuri commented (3/19): "...Japanese Foreign Minister Aso, US Secretary of State Rice, and Australian Foreign Minister Downer held the first-ever Japan-US-Australia minister-level strategic dialogue in Sydney. The rise of China and India is bringing historic changes to the Asia-Pacific region. The US has alliances with both Japan and Australia. Strategic dialogue among these three countries, all of which share the values of freedom and democracy, is critical for regional peace and stability. The three nations looked especially closely at China's military buildup, which is backed by its rapidly growing economy.... China's upgrading of its naval and air forces and its increased production of ballistic missiles represent a major destabilizing factor in the region. It is only to be expected that the three nations called for 'constructive engagement' with the region on Beijing's part. Additionally, cooperation is needed not just among these three countries but also with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India." ¶3. "The Iraq War Three Years On" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (3/20): "Three years have passed since the start of the Iraq war. With chaos reigning in Iraq, a shadow has fallen on US diplomacy. According to a recent opinion poll in the US, support for President Bush has dropped below 35 percent, the lowest of his presidency. There is growing unease with the way things are going in Iraq, and pessimism is becoming more widespread. Rejecting such views, the president has emphasized that there is a strategy for victory in Iraq, namely that steady implementation of the democratization process and the training of Iraqi security forces will open the way for a reduction in the number of US troops in the country. This roadmap is not wrong. No matter how difficult the situation in Iraq may be, there is no other way to bring stability to the country. Right now, the more than 130,000 US troops in Iraq are an important factor in preventing the country from sliding into civil war. The US should continue to do everything it can to TOKYO 00001453 002 OF 002 stabilize Iraq, and Japan should also not hesitate to assist the US." SCHIEFFER