MEDIA REACTION HAMAS ELECTION VICTORY - TOKYO

UNCLAS TOKYO 000482 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 HAMAS ELECTION VICTORY - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: Most Monday morning papers front-paged follow-up stories on the ongoing investigation into Livedoor's business schemes allegedly violating the Securities and Exchange Law. ¶1. "Time for Hamas to Break with Terrorism" The liberal Asahi editorialized (1/28): "The radical Islamic group Hamas has emerged as the Palestinians' leading political party after winning a majority of seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council. Fatah, the mainstream PLO group that was previously under the leadership of the late Chairman Arafat, became the second-largest party. Together with the uncertain political future of Israel following the collapse of Prime Minister Sharon with a stroke, Hamas's political emergence has brought the process of Middle East peace to a new phase. ¶2. "Hamas has called for armed struggle against Israel and has continued with suicide bombings. Its electoral victory has heightened tension in Israel and sent shockwaves around the world.... Nevertheless, Hamas's future options will be limited. If the leading Palestinian political party continues to pursue armed struggle, the result will be war with Israel. In order to realize its demands, Hamas will have to act as a responsible political force and shift its focus toward political negotiations.... More than anything else, Hamas should clearly renounce terrorism. Without doing so, it could find itself cut off from assistance from the international community, including Japan." SCHIEFFER