Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TOKYO5560
2007-12-14 02:58:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - EU EXPANSION AND IRAQ-
VZCZCXRO1484 PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH DE RUEHKO #5560 3480258 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 140258Z DEC 07 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0299 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 4965 RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 7361 RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 3690 RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 5613 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 8627 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0644 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 2015 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 6690 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 7422 RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS TOKYO 005560
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 - EU EXPANSION AND IRAQ-
SYRIA TIES
LEAD STORIES: Domestic news predominated in all Friday
morning dailies, particularly the ruling coalition's
tax policy for fiscal 2008 and the Osaka District
Court's proposal for an out-of-court settlement in a
case involving Hepatitis C infection from tainted blood
products.
UNCLAS TOKYO 005560
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 - EU EXPANSION AND IRAQ-
SYRIA TIES
LEAD STORIES: Domestic news predominated in all Friday
morning dailies, particularly the ruling coalition's
tax policy for fiscal 2008 and the Osaka District
Court's proposal for an out-of-court settlement in a
case involving Hepatitis C infection from tainted blood
products.
1. "Accommodating Varying Interests of Members Makes
Makes Lisbon Treaty Meaningless" A Brussels
correspondent for the liberal Mainichi wrote (12/13):
"EU leaders signed the Lisbon Treaty on Thursday
calling for the creation of the posts of 'president'
and 'foreign minister' in preparation for the
anticipated EU expansion, with the goals of enhancing
its diplomatic prowess and undertaking more democratic
and efficient organization management.... However, the
pact is problematic, as there are various
inconsistencies in it due to members' differing
opinions.... A primary difference revolves around
whether the entity should become a 'federal state' or a
'union of sovereign states.' If the leaders fail to
present a clear picture of the organization's future
status, it is likely that more citizens will distance
themselves from the EU."
2. "US Gives Green Light to Resumption of Iraq-Syria
Ties?" The liberal Asahi's Damascus-based reporter
wrote (12/13): "The foreign ministers of Iraq and Syria
agreed in Damascus on Thursday to resume operation of a
pipeline between the two countries, which was damaged
in 2003 during the Iraq war. The two nations appear
keen to jumpstart the project, as Iraq wants to find
more buyers for its oil in order to secure money for
reconstruction, while Syria hopes to ensure oil
supplies and end its international isolation. The Bush
administration's policy change appears to be behind the
resumption of 'economic bond' between the two Arab
states."
SCHIEFFER
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 - EU EXPANSION AND IRAQ-
SYRIA TIES
LEAD STORIES: Domestic news predominated in all Friday
morning dailies, particularly the ruling coalition's
tax policy for fiscal 2008 and the Osaka District
Court's proposal for an out-of-court settlement in a
case involving Hepatitis C infection from tainted blood
products.
1. "Accommodating Varying Interests of Members Makes
Makes Lisbon Treaty Meaningless" A Brussels
correspondent for the liberal Mainichi wrote (12/13):
"EU leaders signed the Lisbon Treaty on Thursday
calling for the creation of the posts of 'president'
and 'foreign minister' in preparation for the
anticipated EU expansion, with the goals of enhancing
its diplomatic prowess and undertaking more democratic
and efficient organization management.... However, the
pact is problematic, as there are various
inconsistencies in it due to members' differing
opinions.... A primary difference revolves around
whether the entity should become a 'federal state' or a
'union of sovereign states.' If the leaders fail to
present a clear picture of the organization's future
status, it is likely that more citizens will distance
themselves from the EU."
2. "US Gives Green Light to Resumption of Iraq-Syria
Ties?" The liberal Asahi's Damascus-based reporter
wrote (12/13): "The foreign ministers of Iraq and Syria
agreed in Damascus on Thursday to resume operation of a
pipeline between the two countries, which was damaged
in 2003 during the Iraq war. The two nations appear
keen to jumpstart the project, as Iraq wants to find
more buyers for its oil in order to secure money for
reconstruction, while Syria hopes to ensure oil
supplies and end its international isolation. The Bush
administration's policy change appears to be behind the
resumption of 'economic bond' between the two Arab
states."
SCHIEFFER