TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - RUSSIAN PARLIAMENTARY

UNCLAS TOKYO 005435 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: Top stories on Tuesday morning include a U.S.-Japan agreement reached ahead of the COP 13 climate change meeting in Bali, Indonesia, for each nation to set "voluntary targets" for emission cuts. ¶1. "Premonitions of a 'Putin Dynasty'" The liberal Asahi editorialized (11/4): "Each nation has its own form of democracy. Although the recent Russian parliamentary elections may have been conducted in a 'Russian way,' we have to wonder whether this was true democracy at all.... During President Putin's term in office, a balance of power has apparently been maintained among various business and political interests. The groups that support the Putin administration may have decided that it is in their common interest to maintain the current regime and the influence of Putin at the cost of democracy. If they ignore the presidential term limit and parliamentary elections in their quest to seek a continuation of the Putin regime, Russia will move one step closer to a dynasty. No matter how 'Russian' this is, it is a long way from democracy." ¶2. "Putin Establishes Post-Presidency Power Base" The moderate Yomiuri editorialized (11/4): "The results of Sunday's Russian parliamentary elections helped President Putin establish a political base for his continued power after the expiration of his term in May 2008.... Backed by the election results, Putin will likely seek to revive Russia as a major power by maintaining or intensifying his hard-line approach to the U.S. and Europe.... Putin signed a law regarding the suspension of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE Treaty) ahead of the elections. His administration deemed this a measure in response to Washington's plans to deploy a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe. The CFE Treaty, which is aimed at reducing conventional arms in Europe, embodied the end of the Cold War. Putin's expression of his readiness to scrap the accord was aimed at winning the elections by impressing voters with his strong leadership.... Although he has declared that he has no intention to revise the Constitution in order to seek reelection next spring, Putin will likely put all his energies into creating a political base for himself that will remain after he steps down." SCHIEFFER