MEDIA REACTION - IRAQ - TOKYO

UNCLAS TOKYO 000504 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 - IRAQ - TOKYO ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Monday morning's Asahi front-paged the suicide bombing Saturday in central Baghdad, which claimed the lives of at least 135 people. ¶2. "International Community Must Tackle Issues That Cause Suicide Bombings" The conservative Sankei editorialized (2/5): "It is reported that more than 135 people died in the weekend suicide bombing in Baghdad, making it the worst single terrorist incident since the start of the Iraq war in March 2003. Prior to the US dispatch of an additional 21,000 troops to Iraq, sectarian violence, power struggles, and a series of retaliatory attacks are intensifying in Iraq as well as in other Middle East nations. To improve the situation, members of the international community need to join hands to address not only local but also regional problems, including the Palestinian issue, which is said to be the cause of terrorism.... The Palestinian authority can hardly negotiate peace with Israel at a time when there is a state of civil war between President Abbas of Fatah and Prime Minister Haniyeh of Hamas. In Lebanon, a hair- trigger situation also continues between pro- and anti- Syrian groups. The US is intensifying criticism of Iran as a nation responsible for fomenting these internal struggles, a charge that Tehran dismisses as passing the buck. Nonetheless, Sunni-dominated Islamic nations are concerned that Shiite-ruled Iran is trying to expand its influence in the mostly Sunni Middle East.... The destabilization of the Middle East could lead to the destabilization of the world. Now is the time for the international community, including the UN, to address these issues in the Middle East." SCHIEFFER