TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - 2+2 TALKS IN RUSSIA

UNCLAS TOKYO 004804 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 - 2+2 TALKS IN RUSSIA LEAD STORIES: There were no papers on Monday morning because of a press holiday. Broadcasters gave top play to the anticipated commencement today of debate in the Upper House Budget Committee, predicting that cabinet ministers and opposition lawmakers will engage in heated discussion on an extension of the MSDF refueling operation in the Indian Ocean. ¶1. "Russia's Hard Line Pronounced" Moscow correspondent Seguchi of the top circulation, moderate Yomiuri reported (10/14): "During a 2+2 defense and foreign ministerial with the US in Moscow, Russian President Putin called for the cancellation of US plans to deploy a missile defense system in Eastern Europe by hinting that it might withdraw from the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. By raising that possibility, Putin is apparently attempting to head off the deployment of MD. Behind his hard line position ... lies Russia's opposition to 'unipolar rule' by the US, as well as Putin's need to play up a 'strong Russia' ahead of Duma elections in December and a presidential election in March." ¶2. "Conciliatory Posture Consistent" Washington-based reporter Miyazaki of the top circulation, moderate Yomiuri wrote (10/14): "In the 2+2 meeting in Moscow, the US failed to achieve anything specific concerning its plans to deploy an MD system in Eastern Europe and was unresponsive throughout to Russia's tough negotiating posture, including an implied threat to withdraw from the INF treaty.... Washington cannot easily disregard Moscow's displeasure on the MD issue, as the US needs Russia's cooperation on Iran's nuclear program and the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear ambitions. In the face of a slew of major items on the diplomatic and security agenda, including the question of independence for Kosovo, the US, while pushing forward on MD deployment, is keen to avoid worsening its relations with Russia." SCHIEFFER