Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TOKYO5055
2007-10-31 04:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:  

CORRECTED TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - TURKEY-IRAQ

Tags:  OIIP KMDR KPAO JA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3626
PP RUEHFK
DE RUEHKO #5055 3040423
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 310423Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9074
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA PRIORITY
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI//N541// PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA// PRIORITY
RUHBANB/OKINAWA FLD OFC US FORCES JAPAN CP BUTLER JA PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/USFJ PRIORITY
INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 4081
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 7746
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 9829
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1946
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 5885
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 6691
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS TOKYO 005055

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: CORRECTED TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - TURKEY-IRAQ


LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Wednesday morning include
a GOJ panel recommendation to increase classroom hours
at primary and middle schools.

"Concern About Instability in Middle East" The top-
circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (10/31):
"The Turkish military plans to cross the country's
border with Iraq and attack Kurdish Workers' Party
(PKK) rebels based there. Restraint is required from
the Turkish government, as a new armed clash would
raise the risks in an already-fluid Middle East.... The
impact of a Turkish attack on PKK strongholds in
northern Iraq would be enormous. The recent spike in
oil prices following Ankara's decision to take a hard
line clearly illustrates the potential impact of a
military move by Turkey. The Kurdish area in northern
Iraq is the only part of that country with stable
public order, and the situation in Iraq would likely
deteriorate if the Turkish Army were to invade.
Additionally, what would be the reaction from Iran and
Syria, which have restive Kurdish populations of their
own? The situation in the Middle East could change
rapidly depending on what Tehran and Damascus do....
The recent adoption by the US House of Representatives
Foreign Affairs Committee of a resolution on the
genocide of Armenians has complicated the situation, as
Turkey has toughened its attitude toward the US.
America's 'unilateral' action together with Turkish
public support for a cross-border attack on the PKK and
growing anti-American sentiment in Turkey has
undermined the Bush administration's diplomatic
efforts."

SCHIEFFER