TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - HAMAS-FATAH CLASH

UNCLAS TOKYO 002774 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: TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - HAMAS-FATAH CLASH ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Wednesday morning's Yomiuri front-paged Assistant Secretary of State Hill's meeting with his Japanese counterpart Tuesday evening at MOFA to discuss North Korea's nuclear program and other issues. ¶2. "Greater Efforts Should Be Made for Palestinian Reconciliation" The liberal Asahi editorialized (6/20): "The Palestinian Authority (PA) is on the brink of collapse as a result of the armed struggle between Hamas and Fatah. Palestinian President Abbas declared a state of emergency and fired Prime Minister Haniyeh, a member of Hamas, further worsening the situation.... The US and EU expressed support for Abbas by lifting sanctions and pledging a resumption of assistance for the PA, a move intended to welcome the removal of Hamas. Nonetheless, this move by the West could make the Hamas-Fatah split permanent, deepening the crisis. It is anticipated that Fatah, backed by the US and EU, will step up moves to expel Hamas from the West Bank, raising the possibility of clashes there. If the Hamas- dominated Gaza strip is isolated, a humanitarian crisis, including starvation, may arise, likely inflaming anti-American sentiment across the Muslim world.... The Palestinian issue is the root of conflict in the Middle East, and chaos in the Palestinian territories would have a negative impact on the entire region and the Muslim world in general. A protracted crisis would be a boon for al-Qaeda and other radical groups that hope to sow the seeds of terrorism throughout the world. We strongly hope that major Arab nations, such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt, will work for the reconciliation of the two warring factions." DONOVAN