MEDIA REACTION PRESIDENT BUSH'S SURPRISE VISIT

UNCLAS TOKYO 003265 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 PRESIDENT BUSH'S SURPRISE VISIT TO BAGHDAD - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: Most Wednesday morning papers front-paged President Bush's surprise visit to Baghdad Tuesday. ¶1. "Bush's Visit to Iraq Aimed at Publicizing Progress" The business daily Nihon Keizai's Washington correspondent Kato commented (6/14): "President Bush made his second surprise visit to Baghdad Tuesday. The visit was aimed not only at emphasizing complete US support for the permanent Iraqi government launched last month but also at publicizing the progress in Iraq ahead of November's mid-term congressional elections. The White House is doing its best to try to take advantage of the political progress in Iraq and the killing of al-Zarqawi, which it called a 'turning point.'" ¶2. "Bush's Swift Move to Regain Public Support" The liberal Asahi's Washington correspondent Umehara commented (6/14): "President Bush's surprise visit to Baghdad Tuesday marked a swift move to play up signs of improvement in the security situation in Iraq with the goal of regaining public support for his administration.... A Gallup survey showed that about 53 percent of Americans called Zarqawi's death a 'great achievement.' The administration hopes to sustain this positive public reaction. It is likely, though, that the security situation in Iraq will not improve as much as some may expect." SCHIEFFER