TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - RUSSIAN PARLIAMENTARY

UNCLAS TOKYO 005416 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 - RUSSIAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS LEAD STORIES: Monday morning's Asahi led with the reported questioning by Tokyo prosecutors of several senior Defense Ministry officials familiar with U.S. force realignment programs in Okinawa concerning their knowledge of individual initiatives and influence peddling, if any, by arrested former Vice Defense Minister Moriya. ¶1. "Doubts Raised About Election Fairness" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun's Moscow correspondent wrote (12/3): "Parliamentary elections were held across Russia on Sunday. Given that President Putin's ruling party "United Russia" appears to be heading toward a lopsided victory, momentum is bound to build for creating a system that would allow Putin to maintain his power base even after he is required to step down from the presidency next May. However, as European countries canceled plans to send election observers and as allegations emerged during the campaign about the improper use of government agencies by the ruling party, there will likely be concerns raised in the international community about the fairness of the Russian elections." SCHIEFFER