MEDIA REACTION US-CHINA RELATIONS/TAKESHIMA

UNCLAS TOKYO 002179 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-CHINA RELATIONS/TAKESHIMA (DOKDO) DISPUITE - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: Most Friday morning papers front-paged the Bush-Hu meeting at the White House. ¶1. There were no editorials on the Bush-Hu meeting. ¶2. "Speeches by Bush and Hu: Both Still at Odds over Human Rights and International Security" Washington correspondent Yamamoto of the conservative Sankei commented (4/21): "The speeches that Presidents Bush and Hu made prior to their meeting demonstrate that there is still a wide gap over issues relating to human rights and international security. Particularly on Taiwan, President Hu went so far as to hint at the use of force, saying that China would not accept Taiwan's independence in any form. It is certain that this remark will stir US concern over China's position on global security." ¶3. "Despite Friction, Bush and Hu Stage Cooperation" The liberal Mainichi's Washington correspondents jointly opined (4/21): "The Bush-Hu meeting Thursday at the White House turned out to be a venue for playing up a cooperative and mature relationship. But although the US has called on China to act as a 'responsible stakeholder,' there remains a wide gap between the two countries over such issues as human rights and the Iranian and North Korean nuclear programs. In addition, there are no signs that the US will be able to reduce its huge trade trade deficit with China. Depending on the future course of US-China relations, there could be violent undulations in the global political and economic situations." ¶4. "Takeshima Dispute: Japan, South Korea Should Look to Settle the Issue Calmly" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (4/21): "Both nations are trying to find a diplomatic resolution of the Japan-ROK standoff over the Japanese Coast Guard's plans to conduct a maritime survey in waters near the disputed Takeshima (Dokdo) islets in the Sea of Japan. It would be unfortunate for the two neighbors, which enjoy active interchanges in the economy and other spheres, to escalate this territorial confrontation. As Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe said, now is the time for both nations to SIPDIS act wisely to achieve an amicable settlement that is in both nations' interests." SCHIEFFER