Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO2211
2006-04-24 02:26:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION US-CHINA RELATIONS/TAKESHIMA
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UNCLAS TOKYO 002211
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
DISPUTE (DOKDO) - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Monday morning papers front-paged the
victory of an opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ)
candidate in Sunday's by-election in Chiba. LDP-backed
candidates also lost in key mayoral elections in Iwakuni
and Okinawa City, dealing a heavy blow to the ruling
coalition.
UNCLAS TOKYO 002211
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
DISPUTE (DOKDO) - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Monday morning papers front-paged the
victory of an opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ)
candidate in Sunday's by-election in Chiba. LDP-backed
candidates also lost in key mayoral elections in Iwakuni
and Okinawa City, dealing a heavy blow to the ruling
coalition.
1. "Bush-Hu Talks: Lingering Skepticism about China as a
'Responsible Stakeholder'" The top-circulation, moderate
Yomiuri editorialized (4/22): "President Bush once
characterized relations between the US and China as
'positive but complicated.' The summit between Bush and
Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday demonstrated this
to be an accurate description. The focal point of the
talks during Hu's first official visit to the US was how
Beijing would respond to American concerns about China's
rapid rise. At the talks, the two leaders agreed that
their countries share 'common strategic interests' and
emphasized they are ready to build positive relations.
2. "They were, however, unable to reach a consensus on a
number of issues.... With mid-term elections approaching
in November, many sectors of US society and Congress as
well have voiced fears that China poses an economic and
military 'threat.'... Since the second half of last year,
US policy on China has been to encourage that country to
play the role of a 'responsible stakeholder.'... In the
international community, as well, there is an emerging
consensus that China should fulfill its responsibility as
a major country. China should realize that the
'responsible stakeholder' idea is not just a US
position."
3. "Japan, South Korea Avert Takeshima (Dokdo) Crisis
Through Dialogue" An editorial in the business daily
Nihon Keizai commented (4/23): "Japan and South Korea
agreed Saturday in Seoul to settle the dispute over
Japan's planned maritime survey in waters near the
disputed Takeshima (Dokdo) islets, where the exclusive
economic zones (EEZs) claimed by both countries overlap.
The worst-case scenario of a clash at sea was thus
averted through vice ministerial talks.... Japan rushed
d
to undertake a maritime survey after concluding that
Seoul would strengthen its de facto control of the islets
by proposing Korean names for seafloor topography around
the islets at an international ocean-mapping conference
to be held in June in Germany....
4. "According to the agreement, South Korea will make
necessary preparations and propose Korean names for the
seafloor features 'at an appropriate time,' and the
demarcation of EEZ boundaries will be discussed at senior-
working-level talks.... Given that territorial disputes
can easily inflame nationalist sentiment, negotiations
should be held in a quiet atmosphere between officials
who enjoy a relationship of trust.... If Japanese and
South Korean officials were indeed able to form bonds of
trust at the working-level talks in Seoul, the crisis may
have actually improved relations. The future course of
events will determine whether this has indeed been the
case."
DONOVAN
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
DISPUTE (DOKDO) - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Monday morning papers front-paged the
victory of an opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ)
candidate in Sunday's by-election in Chiba. LDP-backed
candidates also lost in key mayoral elections in Iwakuni
and Okinawa City, dealing a heavy blow to the ruling
coalition.
1. "Bush-Hu Talks: Lingering Skepticism about China as a
'Responsible Stakeholder'" The top-circulation, moderate
Yomiuri editorialized (4/22): "President Bush once
characterized relations between the US and China as
'positive but complicated.' The summit between Bush and
Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday demonstrated this
to be an accurate description. The focal point of the
talks during Hu's first official visit to the US was how
Beijing would respond to American concerns about China's
rapid rise. At the talks, the two leaders agreed that
their countries share 'common strategic interests' and
emphasized they are ready to build positive relations.
2. "They were, however, unable to reach a consensus on a
number of issues.... With mid-term elections approaching
in November, many sectors of US society and Congress as
well have voiced fears that China poses an economic and
military 'threat.'... Since the second half of last year,
US policy on China has been to encourage that country to
play the role of a 'responsible stakeholder.'... In the
international community, as well, there is an emerging
consensus that China should fulfill its responsibility as
a major country. China should realize that the
'responsible stakeholder' idea is not just a US
position."
3. "Japan, South Korea Avert Takeshima (Dokdo) Crisis
Through Dialogue" An editorial in the business daily
Nihon Keizai commented (4/23): "Japan and South Korea
agreed Saturday in Seoul to settle the dispute over
Japan's planned maritime survey in waters near the
disputed Takeshima (Dokdo) islets, where the exclusive
economic zones (EEZs) claimed by both countries overlap.
The worst-case scenario of a clash at sea was thus
averted through vice ministerial talks.... Japan rushed
d
to undertake a maritime survey after concluding that
Seoul would strengthen its de facto control of the islets
by proposing Korean names for seafloor topography around
the islets at an international ocean-mapping conference
to be held in June in Germany....
4. "According to the agreement, South Korea will make
necessary preparations and propose Korean names for the
seafloor features 'at an appropriate time,' and the
demarcation of EEZ boundaries will be discussed at senior-
working-level talks.... Given that territorial disputes
can easily inflame nationalist sentiment, negotiations
should be held in a quiet atmosphere between officials
who enjoy a relationship of trust.... If Japanese and
South Korean officials were indeed able to form bonds of
trust at the working-level talks in Seoul, the crisis may
have actually improved relations. The future course of
events will determine whether this has indeed been the
case."
DONOVAN