Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TOKYO2042
2007-05-08 04:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION - FRENCH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION -
how-toVZCZCXRO8261 PP RUEHFK DE RUEHKO #2042 1280429 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 080429Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3372 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 RUALSFJ/COMUSJAPAN YOKOTA AB JA PRIORITY INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 1004 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 4556 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 6934 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1646 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 2999 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 4188 RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS TOKYO 002042
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 - FRENCH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION -
TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Tuesday morning papers front-paged
Prime Minister Abe's monetary offering to Yasukuni Shrine
on the occasion of its annual spring festival in April.
Claiming that the premier took that action in lieu of a
visit, the dailies speculated that Beijing might strongly
react and that it might affect PM Abe's proposed trip to
China in the fall.
UNCLAS TOKYO 002042
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 - FRENCH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION -
TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Tuesday morning papers front-paged
Prime Minister Abe's monetary offering to Yasukuni Shrine
on the occasion of its annual spring festival in April.
Claiming that the premier took that action in lieu of a
visit, the dailies speculated that Beijing might strongly
react and that it might affect PM Abe's proposed trip to
China in the fall.
¶1. "Sarkozy's Diplomatic Ability Unknown" The liberal
Asahi editorialized (5/8): "...French President-elect
Sarkozy's diplomatic ability is still unknown. While
maintaining its alliance with the US, France has made
strict demands on the US from time to time, thus showing
its independent position. Nonetheless, Sarkozy has called
for improving France's relations with the US, while at
the same time criticizing outgoing President Chirac, who
opposed the war in Iraq. We would like to keep a close
watch on what sort of relations Sarkozy will establish
with the Bush administration, which is facing tough going
in Iraq, and how he will modify France's pro-Arab line of
the Chirac era."
¶2. "Will Sarkozy Show Leadership in Improving Ties With
US?" An editorial in the top-circulation, moderate
Yomiuri commented (5/8): "...France has many diplomatic
issues to tackle. One urgent task is getting the treaty
to establish an EU constitution back on track after it
was derailed by the failure of France and the Netherlands
to ratify it. It is worth watching how Sarkozy will
demonstrate leadership resolving the issue and regain
France's key role in the EU. It will also be important
for the pro-US Sarkozy to repair the nation's relations
with Washington, which cooled over Iraq.... France has
shown a positive stance toward lifting the EU ban on the
export of arms to China. An end to the ban would affect
the security environment surrounding Japan."
DONOVAN