Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO1808
2006-04-05 03:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION THAI POLITICS - TOKYO
how-toVZCZCXRO2442 PP RUEHFK DE RUEHKO #1808 0950334 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 050334Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0534 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA PRIORITY RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI//N541// PRIORITY RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA// PRIORITY RUHBANB/OKINAWA FLD OFC US FORCES JAPAN CP BUTLER JA PRIORITY RHMFIUU/COMUSJAPAN YOKOTA AB JA PRIORITY INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 5510 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 8667 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1517 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0955 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 7696 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 9636 RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS TOKYO 001808
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 THAI POLITICS - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Wednesday morning papers front-paged
reports from Bangkok concerning Thai Prime Minister
Thaksin's announcement Tuesday evening that he would
resign.
UNCLAS TOKYO 001808
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 THAI POLITICS - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Wednesday morning papers front-paged
reports from Bangkok concerning Thai Prime Minister
Thaksin's announcement Tuesday evening that he would
resign.
1. "Elections Should be Held Again in Thailand for
Political Reconciliation" An editorial in the liberal
Asahi commented (4/5): "Thai Prime Minister Thaksin
announced his resignation from office Tuesday following
the discovery of large numbers of blank votes, which were
seen as criticism of his administration. Thaksin made
clear that he would not seek the post of prime minister
in the next national assembly, saying that he has decided
to step down for national reconciliation. It was an
abrupt exit for a leader who had expressed his readiness
to again take the reins of government after declaring
victory in the general election, which netted his party
at least 57 percent of the vote. Thaksin announced his
resignation after meeting with King Bhumibol at his
palace in suburban Bangkok. It is fair to conclude that
the embattled prime minister decided to resign at the
king's advice....
2. "There was no way to resolve the post-election
political chaos in Thailand without Mr. Thaksin stepping
down and general elections being held again with the
participation of opposition parties, and, in fact, calls
for such an approach had been growing in business
circles.... For now, we welcome the emergence of
prospects for stabilizing the country's political
situation. Thailand, together with Malaysia and
Singapore, is a core member of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),and is expected to play
an important role in the creation of a regional community
eyed for 2020. Moreover, Thailand has, in principle,
agreed to conclude a free trade agreement with Japan,
while using its geopolitical position to promote economic
cooperation with China and India. The longer the
political confusion continues, the less likely Thailand
will be able to act as a bridge among these countries."
SCHIEFFER
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 THAI POLITICS - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Wednesday morning papers front-paged
reports from Bangkok concerning Thai Prime Minister
Thaksin's announcement Tuesday evening that he would
resign.
1. "Elections Should be Held Again in Thailand for
Political Reconciliation" An editorial in the liberal
Asahi commented (4/5): "Thai Prime Minister Thaksin
announced his resignation from office Tuesday following
the discovery of large numbers of blank votes, which were
seen as criticism of his administration. Thaksin made
clear that he would not seek the post of prime minister
in the next national assembly, saying that he has decided
to step down for national reconciliation. It was an
abrupt exit for a leader who had expressed his readiness
to again take the reins of government after declaring
victory in the general election, which netted his party
at least 57 percent of the vote. Thaksin announced his
resignation after meeting with King Bhumibol at his
palace in suburban Bangkok. It is fair to conclude that
the embattled prime minister decided to resign at the
king's advice....
2. "There was no way to resolve the post-election
political chaos in Thailand without Mr. Thaksin stepping
down and general elections being held again with the
participation of opposition parties, and, in fact, calls
for such an approach had been growing in business
circles.... For now, we welcome the emergence of
prospects for stabilizing the country's political
situation. Thailand, together with Malaysia and
Singapore, is a core member of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),and is expected to play
an important role in the creation of a regional community
eyed for 2020. Moreover, Thailand has, in principle,
agreed to conclude a free trade agreement with Japan,
while using its geopolitical position to promote economic
cooperation with China and India. The longer the
political confusion continues, the less likely Thailand
will be able to act as a bridge among these countries."
SCHIEFFER