TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM

UNCLAS TOKYO 003550 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 - ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM (ARF) ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Most Friday morning papers front-paged the conclusion on Thursday of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) foreign ministerial in the Philippines, with the chairman's statement welcoming the shutdown of North Korean nuclear facilities. ¶2. "China's Presence at ARF Stands out in Rice's Absence" Manila correspondent Mayumi Otani of the liberal Mainichi reported (8/3): "The presence of China, a major power in East Asia, stood out at the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) foreign ministerial due to Secretary of State Rice's absence for the second time SIPDIS in three years. China is pursuing a strategy of deepening ties with ASEAN members, promoting integration in East Asia, and gradually expanding its influence in the region.... The US has postponed a US- ASEAN summit scheduled for September, prompting ASEAN members to conclude that Washington is neglecting ASEAN and that they should seek closer ties with Beijing.... Leaders from the ASEAN+3 framework will meet in Singapore in November to discuss cooperation in East Asia and issue a joint statement, a draft of which says that the meeting will reconfirm that ASEAN+3 will be instrumental in the realization of the long-term goal of creating an East Asian Community, reflecting China's view. China anticipates that should East Asian integration make progress, the members of ASEAN will inevitably move away from the US." SCHIEFFER