Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO6883
2006-12-07 02:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION - ISG RECOMMENDATIONS - TOKYO
how-toVZCZCXRO8523 PP RUEHFK DE RUEHKO #6883 3410241 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 070241Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8929 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 9098 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 2529 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5114 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1405 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 1213 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2692 RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS TOKYO 006883
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 - ISG RECOMMENDATIONS - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Thursday morning papers front-paged
the compilation of recommendations by the bipartisan Iraq
Study Group for President Bush proposing that a majority
of US troops be recalled in the spring of 2008.
UNCLAS TOKYO 006883
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 - ISG RECOMMENDATIONS - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Thursday morning papers front-paged
the compilation of recommendations by the bipartisan Iraq
Study Group for President Bush proposing that a majority
of US troops be recalled in the spring of 2008.
1. There were no immediate editorials or commentaries on
the ISG recommendations.
2. "Early Withdrawal of US Troops from Iraq Difficult"
Washington correspondent Yasuyuki Oguri of the moderate
Tokyo Shimbun wrote (12/7): "In its recommendations
submitted Wednesday to President Bush, the bipartisan
Iraq Study Group (ISG) proposed a gradual withdrawal of
US troops from Iraq. In response to growing antiwar
sentiment in the US, as was reflected in the midterm
elections, the recommendations call on President Bush to
substantially change his Iraq policy. Nonetheless, there
are still major obstacles standing in the way of the
president ordering an immediate withdrawal.... The
question now is whether Bush will comply with the group's
proposals and change his Iraq policy.... Outwardly, the
president remains negative about a phased withdrawal,
saying that the troops will not leave before the 'mission
is complete.' On top of that, with the escalating
sectarian conflict in the country, a quick withdrawal
would only plunge Iraq deeper into chaos. There are even
voices within the US military calling for troop levels to
be increased for the time being. Assuming that the
president does agree to a phased withdrawal, the
consensus is that it will still be some time before one
takes place."
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 - ISG RECOMMENDATIONS - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Thursday morning papers front-paged
the compilation of recommendations by the bipartisan Iraq
Study Group for President Bush proposing that a majority
of US troops be recalled in the spring of 2008.
1. There were no immediate editorials or commentaries on
the ISG recommendations.
2. "Early Withdrawal of US Troops from Iraq Difficult"
Washington correspondent Yasuyuki Oguri of the moderate
Tokyo Shimbun wrote (12/7): "In its recommendations
submitted Wednesday to President Bush, the bipartisan
Iraq Study Group (ISG) proposed a gradual withdrawal of
US troops from Iraq. In response to growing antiwar
sentiment in the US, as was reflected in the midterm
elections, the recommendations call on President Bush to
substantially change his Iraq policy. Nonetheless, there
are still major obstacles standing in the way of the
president ordering an immediate withdrawal.... The
question now is whether Bush will comply with the group's
proposals and change his Iraq policy.... Outwardly, the
president remains negative about a phased withdrawal,
saying that the troops will not leave before the 'mission
is complete.' On top of that, with the escalating
sectarian conflict in the country, a quick withdrawal
would only plunge Iraq deeper into chaos. There are even
voices within the US military calling for troop levels to
be increased for the time being. Assuming that the
president does agree to a phased withdrawal, the
consensus is that it will still be some time before one
takes place."
SCHIEFFER