MEDIA REACTION Q LEBANON CRISIS - TOKYO

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