Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO450
2006-01-27 08:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS - TOKYO
how-toVZCZCXRO3898 PP RUEHFK DE RUEHKO #0450 0270818 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 270818Z JAN 06 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7885 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA PRIORITY RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI//N541// PRIORITY RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA// PRIORITY RUHBANB/OKINAWA FLD OFC US FORCES JAPAN CP BUTLER JA PRIORITY RHMFIUU/COMUSJAPAN YOKOTA AB JA PRIORITY INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 4240 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 7295 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0227 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0835 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 6411 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 8549 RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS TOKYO 000450
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 PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Friday morning papers front-paged the
Hamas victory in the Palestinian legislative election.
UNCLAS TOKYO 000450
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 PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Friday morning papers front-paged the
Hamas victory in the Palestinian legislative election.
1. "Will Chances for Middle East Peace Emerge?" The
moderate Tokyo Shimbun editorialized (1/27): "It appears
that the radical Islamic group Hamas, which participated
in Palestinian elections for the first time, has captured
a majority of seats in the Palestinian Legislative
Council. Given that the will of the people has been
expressed, a new approach to Middle East peace is
desirable. The first Palestinian elections in 10 years
brought a tectonic shift to the Palestinian government.
Hamas appears to have defeated Fatah, the mainstream PLO
group that had heretofore held the reins of power. Before
the final results of the elections were made public, PM
Qorei admitted defeat, and an atmosphere of revolution
was prevalent.... Nevertheless, the armed struggle
continues and peace negotiations are at a standstill, as
Israel maintains a hard-line policy toward the
Palestinians while Hamas and others respond with
terrorism.
2. "Criticism had grown among the Palestinians over the
corruption during the long years of the Fatah government.
Since the death of then-leader Arafat two years ago,
popular discontent has been increasingly directed toward
the Abbas government.... The election is expected to
result in the birth of a fractious coalition government,
though it is possible that Hamas will win outright....
Israel has dismissed the political softening of Hamas and
refused to negotiate with it. The US and Europe,
meanwhile, continue to insist on the disarmament of Hamas
first. As long as Israel persists in using force, it is
clear that Hamas will reject this call.... Now that the
framework of 'Arafat-Sharon' hostility has collapsed,
making the Israeli and Palestinian political situations
more fluid, it is a good chance to take a new approach to
facilitating stability in the Middle East."
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 PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Friday morning papers front-paged the
Hamas victory in the Palestinian legislative election.
1. "Will Chances for Middle East Peace Emerge?" The
moderate Tokyo Shimbun editorialized (1/27): "It appears
that the radical Islamic group Hamas, which participated
in Palestinian elections for the first time, has captured
a majority of seats in the Palestinian Legislative
Council. Given that the will of the people has been
expressed, a new approach to Middle East peace is
desirable. The first Palestinian elections in 10 years
brought a tectonic shift to the Palestinian government.
Hamas appears to have defeated Fatah, the mainstream PLO
group that had heretofore held the reins of power. Before
the final results of the elections were made public, PM
Qorei admitted defeat, and an atmosphere of revolution
was prevalent.... Nevertheless, the armed struggle
continues and peace negotiations are at a standstill, as
Israel maintains a hard-line policy toward the
Palestinians while Hamas and others respond with
terrorism.
2. "Criticism had grown among the Palestinians over the
corruption during the long years of the Fatah government.
Since the death of then-leader Arafat two years ago,
popular discontent has been increasingly directed toward
the Abbas government.... The election is expected to
result in the birth of a fractious coalition government,
though it is possible that Hamas will win outright....
Israel has dismissed the political softening of Hamas and
refused to negotiate with it. The US and Europe,
meanwhile, continue to insist on the disarmament of Hamas
first. As long as Israel persists in using force, it is
clear that Hamas will reject this call.... Now that the
framework of 'Arafat-Sharon' hostility has collapsed,
making the Israeli and Palestinian political situations
more fluid, it is a good chance to take a new approach to
facilitating stability in the Middle East."
SCHIEFFER