Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO3931
2006-07-14 04:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION Q G-8 SUMMIT/MIDDLE EAST
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 003931
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 Q G-8 SUMMIT/MIDDLE EAST
SITUATION - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Friday morning papers front-paged
reports from Jerusalem concerning Israel's bombing of the
Beirut International Airport and its blockade of Lebanon.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 003931
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 Q G-8 SUMMIT/MIDDLE EAST
SITUATION - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Friday morning papers front-paged
reports from Jerusalem concerning Israel's bombing of the
Beirut International Airport and its blockade of Lebanon.
1. "Nuclear and Missile Threats Will Test Unity at G-8
Summit" The business-oriented Nihon Keizai editorialized
(7/14): "The G-8 summit that begins this weekend in St.
Petersburg, Russia, will be a major test of the Group's
unity. In addition to the Iranian nuclear issue, North
Korea's missile launches last week have given rise to a
new crisis. The G-8 summit has an important role to play
in containing these threats to global stability. The G-8
leaders should speak with one voice and take a firm
stance toward North Korea and Iran.
2. "Russia will host the summit for the first time. With
petroleum prices on the rise, Russia as an oil producer
has seen its international influence grow. We hope that
Russia will use its say in a fair manner and from the
lofty perspective of addressing such difficult subjects
as nuclear proliferation, the missile crisis, and energy
for the benefit not only of itself but for the entire
world. Russian President Putin's leadership will be
tested.... Iranian and North Korean development of WMD
represents an emerging threat, so the G-8 leaders have a
responsibility to issue a strong message for maintaining
the global order.... There continues to be a tug of war
between the US and Japan on one side and Russia and China
on the other over a UNSC resolution on North Korea.
Success at the G-8 summit hinges on whether Putin can
play an active role in presenting G-8 unity to the
world."
3. "Tension in the Middle East: Japan Can Make Unique
Contribution to Peace" An editorial in the conservative
Sankei commented (7/14): "In the midst of Prime Minister
Koizumi's visit to Israel and the Palestinian
territories, Israeli troops advanced into Lebanon for the
first time in six years in a bid to rescue two soldiers
who had been abducted. With an ongoing operation in the
Gaza Strip to rescue another Israeli soldier, the Israeli
military has opened a two-front battle. Israeli Prime
Minister Olmert criticized the Lebanese government for
the abduction of the soldiers by the Shiite group
Hezbollah, saying it was not terrorism but an act of war,
and he launched a large-scale military operation that
included bombing Beirut International Airport. As a
result, Syria, Iran, and other Arab and Islamic nations
with close ties to Hezbollah have all reacted strongly,
and tensions in the region are again on the rise.
4. "What in the world can Japan do in such a situation?
There is no choice but to urge all parties concerned to
exercise self-restraint to prevent an expansion of the
military conflict. However, it is possible to create an
environment for long-term peace. While cooperating with
the US and Europe, it is important for Japan to play a
role befitting itself. During his talks with Olmert,
Koizumi presented the outline of a regional development
project dubbed the 'Corridor to Peace and Prosperity,'
and he proposed that Japan, Israel, the Palestinians, and
Jordan set up a committee to study the idea. Olmert
welcomed the project as an example of Japan's
assistance.... Koizumi promised Japan's continued support
for the Palestinians during talks with President Abbas
and said prior to the meeting at a press conference in
Israel that Japan provides assistance differently than
TOKYO 00003931 002 OF 002
the US and Europe. Middle East peace is crucial for
regional stability and world peace. It also contributes
to energy security for Japan. Terrorism will intensify if
the situation in the region becomes unstable."
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 Q G-8 SUMMIT/MIDDLE EAST
SITUATION - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Friday morning papers front-paged
reports from Jerusalem concerning Israel's bombing of the
Beirut International Airport and its blockade of Lebanon.
1. "Nuclear and Missile Threats Will Test Unity at G-8
Summit" The business-oriented Nihon Keizai editorialized
(7/14): "The G-8 summit that begins this weekend in St.
Petersburg, Russia, will be a major test of the Group's
unity. In addition to the Iranian nuclear issue, North
Korea's missile launches last week have given rise to a
new crisis. The G-8 summit has an important role to play
in containing these threats to global stability. The G-8
leaders should speak with one voice and take a firm
stance toward North Korea and Iran.
2. "Russia will host the summit for the first time. With
petroleum prices on the rise, Russia as an oil producer
has seen its international influence grow. We hope that
Russia will use its say in a fair manner and from the
lofty perspective of addressing such difficult subjects
as nuclear proliferation, the missile crisis, and energy
for the benefit not only of itself but for the entire
world. Russian President Putin's leadership will be
tested.... Iranian and North Korean development of WMD
represents an emerging threat, so the G-8 leaders have a
responsibility to issue a strong message for maintaining
the global order.... There continues to be a tug of war
between the US and Japan on one side and Russia and China
on the other over a UNSC resolution on North Korea.
Success at the G-8 summit hinges on whether Putin can
play an active role in presenting G-8 unity to the
world."
3. "Tension in the Middle East: Japan Can Make Unique
Contribution to Peace" An editorial in the conservative
Sankei commented (7/14): "In the midst of Prime Minister
Koizumi's visit to Israel and the Palestinian
territories, Israeli troops advanced into Lebanon for the
first time in six years in a bid to rescue two soldiers
who had been abducted. With an ongoing operation in the
Gaza Strip to rescue another Israeli soldier, the Israeli
military has opened a two-front battle. Israeli Prime
Minister Olmert criticized the Lebanese government for
the abduction of the soldiers by the Shiite group
Hezbollah, saying it was not terrorism but an act of war,
and he launched a large-scale military operation that
included bombing Beirut International Airport. As a
result, Syria, Iran, and other Arab and Islamic nations
with close ties to Hezbollah have all reacted strongly,
and tensions in the region are again on the rise.
4. "What in the world can Japan do in such a situation?
There is no choice but to urge all parties concerned to
exercise self-restraint to prevent an expansion of the
military conflict. However, it is possible to create an
environment for long-term peace. While cooperating with
the US and Europe, it is important for Japan to play a
role befitting itself. During his talks with Olmert,
Koizumi presented the outline of a regional development
project dubbed the 'Corridor to Peace and Prosperity,'
and he proposed that Japan, Israel, the Palestinians, and
Jordan set up a committee to study the idea. Olmert
welcomed the project as an example of Japan's
assistance.... Koizumi promised Japan's continued support
for the Palestinians during talks with President Abbas
and said prior to the meeting at a press conference in
Israel that Japan provides assistance differently than
TOKYO 00003931 002 OF 002
the US and Europe. Middle East peace is crucial for
regional stability and world peace. It also contributes
to energy security for Japan. Terrorism will intensify if
the situation in the region becomes unstable."
SCHIEFFER