Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO4292
2006-08-01 05:06:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION Q LEBANON CRISIS - TOKYO
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UNCLAS TOKYO 004292
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 LEBANON CRISIS - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Tuesday morning papers front-paged a
UNSC resolution calling for Tehran to suspend its uranium
enrichment program.
UNCLAS TOKYO 004292
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 LEBANON CRISIS - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Tuesday morning papers front-paged a
UNSC resolution calling for Tehran to suspend its uranium
enrichment program.
1. "Lebanon Crisis: Suspension of Air Strikes
Insufficient" The liberal Asahi editorialized (8/1): "The
Israeli military launched a late-night air strike against
a housing complex in Qana, southern Lebanon, killing
about 60 civilians, at least 37 of whom were children....
Through the more than two weeks of fighting, the number
of civilian casualties continues to mount. Even though
Hezbollah is conducting cross-border attacks, we feel
strong anger over Israel's excessive military
operations.... Following the Qana bombing, Israel
announced that it would halt its air strikes for 48
hours. Israel says the respite is to allow time to
investigate the mistaken bombing and for residents to
evacuate, but it is too short. Israel should extend it.
During this time, Hezbollah will have to halt its rocket
attacks on Israel.
2. "The UNSC bears a heavy responsibility for making sure
this leads to a lasting ceasefire. France has drafted a
resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire and the
dispatch of an international force. Other European
countries and Arab nations are in almost full agreement
with the French proposal. What is hard to understand is
the US position. While the US did push Israel to suspend
the air strikes, Washington opposed to the bitter end the
inclusion of words critical of Israel in a UNSC
president's statement. The US remains cautious about an
immediate ceasefire, giving Israel license to conduct
attacks on Hezbollah through the perspective of the 'war
on terrorism.' With these strikes clearly exceeding the
bounds of self-defense, moderate Arab nations and
European countries are stepping up their criticism of
Washington. If the US continues to stand idly by, the
international unity against terrorism that has already
been shaken by the failed Iraq war will crumble."
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 LEBANON CRISIS - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Tuesday morning papers front-paged a
UNSC resolution calling for Tehran to suspend its uranium
enrichment program.
1. "Lebanon Crisis: Suspension of Air Strikes
Insufficient" The liberal Asahi editorialized (8/1): "The
Israeli military launched a late-night air strike against
a housing complex in Qana, southern Lebanon, killing
about 60 civilians, at least 37 of whom were children....
Through the more than two weeks of fighting, the number
of civilian casualties continues to mount. Even though
Hezbollah is conducting cross-border attacks, we feel
strong anger over Israel's excessive military
operations.... Following the Qana bombing, Israel
announced that it would halt its air strikes for 48
hours. Israel says the respite is to allow time to
investigate the mistaken bombing and for residents to
evacuate, but it is too short. Israel should extend it.
During this time, Hezbollah will have to halt its rocket
attacks on Israel.
2. "The UNSC bears a heavy responsibility for making sure
this leads to a lasting ceasefire. France has drafted a
resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire and the
dispatch of an international force. Other European
countries and Arab nations are in almost full agreement
with the French proposal. What is hard to understand is
the US position. While the US did push Israel to suspend
the air strikes, Washington opposed to the bitter end the
inclusion of words critical of Israel in a UNSC
president's statement. The US remains cautious about an
immediate ceasefire, giving Israel license to conduct
attacks on Hezbollah through the perspective of the 'war
on terrorism.' With these strikes clearly exceeding the
bounds of self-defense, moderate Arab nations and
European countries are stepping up their criticism of
Washington. If the US continues to stand idly by, the
international unity against terrorism that has already
been shaken by the failed Iraq war will crumble."
SCHIEFFER