TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - UNREST IN BURMA

UNCLAS TOKYO 004545 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 - UNREST IN BURMA LEAD STORIES: All Friday national dailies led with the killing by Burmese troops of a Japanese photographer covering anti-junta demonstrations in Rangoon. ¶1. "High Time for Burma to Democratize" The conservative Sankei editorialized (9/28): "The Burmese junta may be worried that more demonstrations will lead to its collapse. But if it continues its oppression, its rule will eventually wither in the face of the people's opposition and pressure from the international community. It is high time now for the regime to heed calls from its people and the international community to democratize and seek a resolution through dialogue.... Chinese Ambassador to the UN Wang said on camera that sanctions will not help the situation in Burma. If China believes this, it should put forward specific alternative measures, otherwise it would be fair to conclude that Beijing is supporting the junta and opposing democratization out of its own interests. This is similar to China's sympathy toward the Sudanese government, which has massacred its own people as well. The international community will take a harsh view of China given that it is to host the Olympics in Beijing next summer." ¶2. "China Must Join in International Pressure" The liberal Mainichi argued (9/28): "Further bloodshed must be avoided. The UN Security Council issued a statement expressing concern about the situation in Burma. However, it was not a chairman's statement but a lukewarm 'informal statement.' Despite rising calls for sanctions from the US and European countries, China opposed stronger action because of its ties with the junta.... China's position may send Burma the wrong message that it has nothing to worry about from the UN. Is China fulfilling its responsibility as a permanent member of the Security Council? It bears partial responsibility for the actions of the junta in Rangoon." SCHIEFFER