MEDIA REACTION Q FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 -

UNCLAS TOKYO 005182 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 FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: There were no papers published Monday morning because of a press holiday. Broadcasters reported on President Bush's appearance at Ground Zero in New York Sunday with First Lady Laura Bush, where they offered a wreath to 9/11 victims in observance of the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks. ¶1. "International Community Needs to Realign Front to Fight Terrorism" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (9/10): "Five years have passed since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US.... Establishing an effective strategy to combat and eliminate terrorism remains an unfinished task for the international community. The US, which wields dominant capabilities in the diplomatic, military, and financial fields, is the only country capable of playing the leading role in the fight against terror. The US has also been a victim of terrorism. However, some five years after the attacks, it is difficult to say that the war on terrorism has yielded satisfactory results. ¶2. "The Bush administration points to the changes in Afghanistan and Iraq following US military operations as the greatest achievements in the war on terror.... The reality is, though, that these two countries cannot maintain order or rebuild without international assistance.... The world community needs to enhance cooperation to ensure the stability of these two countries. From that standpoint, what is worrying is the deepening division of opinion within the US.... Regardless of the policies the US employs, the most important thing is that the terrorist forces that reject freedom and tolerance must be stamped out. Stepping up cooperation is the only way to contain and eradicate terrorism." ¶3. "Five Years After 9/11: Wisdom and Patience Tested" An editorial in the liberal Asahi wrote (9/10): "...Five years after 9/11, it is time for both the international community and the US to review the war on terrorism.... Full efforts should be made to hunt down and capture Osama bin Laden and other senior al-Qaeda members. No matter how you look at it, the war on terror is a war against terrorist criminals and should not be conflated with religion or ideology. ¶4. "Former Iranian President Khatami, who has proposed a dialogue of civilizations and cultures, was in the US on the fifth anniversary of 9/11. Speaking at the Washington National Cathedral, he stressed the importance of interfaith dialogue and reconciliation. Within the US, where strong anti-Iranian sentiment exists, there was opposition to the visit of this moderate former president. The standoff over Tehran's uranium enrichment program is also deepening. The fact that this visit was able to take place is testimony to a desire to avoid a 'clash of civilizations.' This kind of cool-headed response is important.... The 21st century cannot be a century of war and terrorism. Wisdom and patience are needed to prevent this from happening." SCHIEFFER