MEDIA REACTION - VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT CHAVEV'S

UNCLAS TOKYO 006847 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 - VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT CHAVEV'S REELECTION - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: Tuesday morning's Nihon Keizai and Tokyo Shimbun front-paged reports from Washington on a White House announcement Monday that US Ambassador to the UN Bolton will resign when his current term expires in January 2007. ¶1. "Anti-American Domino Effect May Gain Momentum" Caracas correspondent Shinichi Ikeo of the moderate Tokyo Shimbun wrote (12/5): "Venezuela's anti-American President Chavez was elected to a third term Sunday. Chavez is expected to accelerate the move to the left and the anti-American domino effect growing in Latin America. By contrast, President Bush's Republican Party suffered a crushing defeat in recent midterm elections and can no longer conceal the debacle in Iraq. It is likely that the international move away from the US led by Chavez will accelerate." ¶2. "The 'Face of Anti-Americanism' Gaining Strength" Caracas correspondent Shinichiro Nakajima of the top- circulation, moderate Yomiuri stated (12/5): "Venezuela's anti-American, leftist President Chavez was elected to a third term on Sunday. With one leftist administration after another emerging in Latin America, the influence of the most radical anti-American leader in the region is certain to grow. The question for Chavez is how to bring in Brazil and other moderate left governments to achieve his goal of a larger anti-American bloc." ¶3. "Chavez Eyeing Dictatorship" Caracas correspondent Satoru Iwaki of the business-oriented Nihon Keizai commented (12/5): "The leftist, anti-American Venezuelan President Chavez won a third term on Sunday. Chavez, who has spent the country's vast oil revenues on anti-poverty programs, won with overwhelming support from low-income voters. With his vision of '21st century socialism' ratified by the voters, he is expected to strengthen control over the Venezuela's resources and work to join hands with neighboring countries to oppose the US. There are fears that Chavez is aiming for 'permanent reelection' by revising the constitution, moving Venezuela toward dictatorship." SCHIEFFER