Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO6673
2006-11-22 02:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION - SYRIA-IRAQ-IRAN RELATIONS -
VZCZCXRO5852 PP RUEHFK DE RUEHKO #6673 3260231 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 220231Z NOV 06 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8555 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 8913 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 2329 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 4973 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1390 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 1076 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2574 RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS TOKYO 006673
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 - SYRIA-IRAQ-IRAN RELATIONS -
TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Wednesday morning's Mainichi front-paged a
report from Cairo concerning an agreement between Syria
and Iraq to fully restore diplomatic relations.
UNCLAS TOKYO 006673
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 - SYRIA-IRAQ-IRAN RELATIONS -
TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Wednesday morning's Mainichi front-paged a
report from Cairo concerning an agreement between Syria
and Iraq to fully restore diplomatic relations.
1. "Syria, Iran Improving Ties with Iraq" The liberal
Mainichi's Cairo correspondent Takahashi commented
(11/22): "Syria restored diplomatic relations with Iraq
Tuesday, a move that is believed to be a big step toward
improving ties with the US and Europe. Iranian President
Ahmadinejad also proposed a meeting of the Iranian,
Iraqi, and Syrian leaders to discuss security in Iraq,
which continues to deteriorate. Syria and Iran, which the
US regards as state sponsors of terrorism, appear to be
launching a diplomatic offensive by improving ties with
Iraq while taking advantage of the rising calls in the US
for dialogue with those nations following the Democratic
takeover of Congress. It is believed that Syria's full
restoration of diplomatic ties with Iraq has a dual
purpose of laying the groundwork for improving relations
with the US and preventing confusion in Iraq from
spilling over into Syria."
2. "Syria, Iran, and Iraq Likely to Form Axis" Mainichi's
Tehran correspondent Kasuga wrote (11/22): "A member of
the Iranian parliament made remarks Tuesday confirming
that Iranian President Ahmadinejad has proposed a meeting
with Iraqi President Talabani and Syrian President Assad
to discuss security in Iraq. It appears that the Iranian
president made the proposal in response to rising calls
in the US and Britain for a review of Iraq policy and a
growing belief that Iraq's security cannot be restored
without the involvement of Iran and Syria. Iranian
Foreign Minister Mottaki previously disclosed to Iraqi
journalists that Iraq, Syria, and Iran are trying to
establish an axis in the Middle East. With the
restoration Tuesday of Syria-Iraq relations, the
likelihood of one forming has become much greater."
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 - SYRIA-IRAQ-IRAN RELATIONS -
TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Wednesday morning's Mainichi front-paged a
report from Cairo concerning an agreement between Syria
and Iraq to fully restore diplomatic relations.
1. "Syria, Iran Improving Ties with Iraq" The liberal
Mainichi's Cairo correspondent Takahashi commented
(11/22): "Syria restored diplomatic relations with Iraq
Tuesday, a move that is believed to be a big step toward
improving ties with the US and Europe. Iranian President
Ahmadinejad also proposed a meeting of the Iranian,
Iraqi, and Syrian leaders to discuss security in Iraq,
which continues to deteriorate. Syria and Iran, which the
US regards as state sponsors of terrorism, appear to be
launching a diplomatic offensive by improving ties with
Iraq while taking advantage of the rising calls in the US
for dialogue with those nations following the Democratic
takeover of Congress. It is believed that Syria's full
restoration of diplomatic ties with Iraq has a dual
purpose of laying the groundwork for improving relations
with the US and preventing confusion in Iraq from
spilling over into Syria."
2. "Syria, Iran, and Iraq Likely to Form Axis" Mainichi's
Tehran correspondent Kasuga wrote (11/22): "A member of
the Iranian parliament made remarks Tuesday confirming
that Iranian President Ahmadinejad has proposed a meeting
with Iraqi President Talabani and Syrian President Assad
to discuss security in Iraq. It appears that the Iranian
president made the proposal in response to rising calls
in the US and Britain for a review of Iraq policy and a
growing belief that Iraq's security cannot be restored
without the involvement of Iran and Syria. Iranian
Foreign Minister Mottaki previously disclosed to Iraqi
journalists that Iraq, Syria, and Iran are trying to
establish an axis in the Middle East. With the
restoration Tuesday of Syria-Iraq relations, the
likelihood of one forming has become much greater."
SCHIEFFER