MEDIA REACTION Q POST-KYOTO PROTOCOL FRAMEWORK -

UNCLAS TOKYO 002343 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 POST-KYOTO PROTOCOL FRAMEWORK - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: Most Friday morning papers front-paged Prime Minister Abe's proposal Thursday in a speech in Tokyo for a new post-Kyoto global initiative called "Invitation to Cool Earth 50" and intended to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 from the current level. The dailies said that prior to his speech, PM Abe telephoned and briefed President Bush on the outline of the initiative. ¶1. "Global Climate Initiative Hinges on US and China" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (5/25): "...PM Abe on Thursday announced the GOJ's basic policy for an international framework to succeed the Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which states that emissions of greenhouse gases must be reduced between 2008 and 2012. Abe's basic policy illustrates Japan's view of the shape of a post-Kyoto international framework. The premier is expected to propose his initiative at the G-8 summit next month in Germany.... The US, the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, continues to refuse to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. China, which is someday expected to surpass the US as the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, is not obliged to cut emissions under Kyoto. Given these circumstances, Abe's proposal is reasonable. To ensure that the new framework is effective, the participation of the US and China is essential." ¶2. "Action Needed to Realize Abe's post-Kyoto Initiative" An editorial in the business-oriented Nihon Keizai commented (5/25): "PM Abe's post-Kyoto initiative is intended to halve global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 from the current level. It proposes that developed nations like the US, emerging economies like China and India, and least developed countries all reduce greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible in accordance with their economic and industrial conditions and capabilities.... As a mid-term goal, the Abe initiative is intended to overcome the shortcomings of the Kyoto Protocol. The US, the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, refuses to ratify the protocol, and China and India, both major emitters, are not obligated to cut their emissions. These three major emitters must be included in any new global framework for reducing greenhouse gases." SCHIEFFER