MEDIA REACTION - STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS/ARMS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000333 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 - STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS/ARMS BUILDUP IN SPACE - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: Wednesday noon's broadcasters gave prominent coverage to President Bush's State of the Union Address. ¶1. There were no immediate editorials or commentaries regarding the State of the Union Address. ¶2. "Bush Calls for Support for New Iraq Policy" Quasi- governmental NHK-TV's Washington bureau chief Nishikawa stated (1/23): "In his first State of the Union Address to a Democratic Congress, the president sought support for his new Iraq policy, casting implementation of the new plan, including an increase in troops, as indispensable for success in Iraq and the war on terrorism. On North Korea, he said the US seeks a diplomatic solution the nuclear issue through the six- party talks. He also reiterated the US position of not allowing Iran to develop nuclear weapons. Although the president offered new proposals on immigration and energy issues, he remained firm on his Iraq policy." ¶3. "Bush Calls for Unity" TBS-TV's Washington correspondent Hino reported (1/23): "The president began his annual speech by calling for unity in Congress and unveiled a new energy plan stipulating a 20 PERCENT cut in domestic gasoline consumption over the next 10 years. On his new Iraq policy, the president said the deployment of an additional 20,000 US troops represents the best chance for success in the country. In order to win the war on terrorism, the president also called for bolstering the US Army and Marine Corps by 92,000 troops. In addition, he spoke of his intention to realize denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through vigorous diplomacy with countries like Japan and China." ¶4. "Iraq Issue Takes a Back Seat" Fuji-TV's Washington correspondent Sano commented (1/23): "As if to avoid Democratic resistance to his new Iraq policy, President Bush began his annual speech by focusing on his domestic agenda, which included a new energy policy. At a time when his approval rating is hovering around a record low 30 PERCENT , he must have sought to boost his popularity by raising issues that could resonate with the Democrats and the US public." ¶5. "Bush Standing Alone" TV-Asahi's Washington correspondent Ii stated (1/23): "President Bush began his address by praising America's first female speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, but his speech this year drew few standing ovations and little applause. At a time when his new Iraq policy is facing criticism even from lawmakers within his own party, the president spent much of the time addressing domestic issues, such as energy and medical care, in an attempt to gain support from the American public. The 2008 presidential race appears to have already begun, with Senators Clinton and Obama expressing their eagerness to run, and the president appeared to be a 'lame duck.'" ¶6. "Framework Needed to Halt Space-Related Arms Race" The business-oriented Nihon Keizai editorialized (1/24): "China announced that it has succeeded in carrying out an anti-satellite weapons test using a ballistic missile. International concerns have deepened over the Chinese test, with some fearing a replay of the US-Soviet space race from the 1980s. Today, however, the threat from anti- satellite weapons goes far beyond what it was in the TOKYO 00000333 002 OF 002 1980s given that technology that governs all facets of our lives, not just military applications, is reliant on satellites. An international framework is, therefore, needed to apply the brakes to any arms race.... On Tuesday, chief Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu formally acknowledged the test, saying that China informed the US and Japan of it days after its completion. Questions have been raised regarding the extent to which President Hu and other members of the leadership were informed about the test in advance." SCHIEFFER