TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - COP13

UNCLAS TOKYO 005582

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 - COP13


LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Monday morning include the
finding that the Aegis data leaked by an MSDF officer
contained information on such vital items as the
capabilities of weapons, radar, and other onboard
systems.


1. "Use Bali Accord to Create Low-Carbon Society" The
economic-oriented Nikkei editorialized (12/16): "Along
with the return of the U.S., a major focus of attention
at the Bali climate-change conference was the inclusion
of China and India in a new framework, though the
specifics of their participation were left
ambiguous.... The Bali accord can be called the first
international pact on climate change that embodies the
basic principle of 'common but differentiated
responsibilities.'... Under a post-Kyoto framework, it
is a matter of course for participants to bear common
responsibilities. The U.S., which withdrew from the
Kyoto Protocol for reasons of national interest, has
promised to return to a new framework. While it is
still a developing nation, China is expected to soon
become the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
India, meanwhile, will soon surpass Japan to become the
world's fourth-largest emitter. These countries must
all fulfill their responsibilities."


2. "Roadmap Set, But Issues Remain" The
top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri argued (12/16): "In
order to encourage U.S. participation in a new
mechanism, Japan argued against taking up numerical
targets at this stage. This approach was successful. At
this juncture, it was critical to create common ground
upon which future negotiations can build. In this
sense, the Bali conference can be called a limited
success.... In the end, numerical targets were deleted,
as the EU softened its position. However, the discord
between the U.S. and EU remains. What is most important
in the creation of a new mechanism is to have all the
major emitters of greenhouse gases take part in the
framework. The Kyoto Protocol's failure to bring in the
U.S., China, and India must not be repeated."


3. "Country-Specific Obligations Should Be Continued"
The liberal Asahi wrote (12/16): "The Bali conference
was not able to specify numerical targets in the face
of opposition by the U.S. and other countries.
Politicians failed to translate the message from
scientists into action. This is quite regrettable.... A
key feature in any new framework for combating global
warming should still be country-specific reduction
targets. Only when countries are forced to bear such an
obligation will they have to come up with a design for
a reduced-carbon society."

SCHIEFFER