TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - PAKISTAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 005674 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 - PAKISTAN LEAD STORIES: Most Friday morning papers gave top play to the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on Thursday. ¶1. "U.S. Concerned About Impact on War on Terror" A Washington dispatch in the business-oriented Nikkei wrote (12/28): "The death of pro-American political leader Bhutto has dealt a heavy blow to the Bush administration. President Bush condemned the act of terrorism as a 'cowardly act by murderous extremists who are trying to undermine Pakistan's democracy,' and expressed concern about the incident's impact on democratization in the nation.... Political instability in Pakistan, which has nuclear weapons, will be a diplomatic challenge for Washington from the standpoint of nuclear nonproliferation." ¶2. "Pakistan Loses 'Key' to Stability" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun's correspondent report from Bangkok stated (12/28): "Benazir Bhutto, leader of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP),was killed on Thursday during her campaign for the general election to be held on January ¶8. The PPP appeared certain to do well in the coming election, and cooperation between Bhutto and President Musharraf had been expected. The death of the person who held the key to stability and democratization in that country will inevitably worsen the confusion in Pakistani politics." ¶3. "International Community Faces Challenge" The conservative Sankei wrote (12/28): "The assassination of former Prime Minister Bhutto has worsened the chaos in Pakistan. Further destabilization of the only nuclear-armed Muslim nation could seriously damage the U.S. military's ongoing operations in Afghanistan.... The Bhutto-led PPP was expected to gain seats in the coming general election, and the next Pakistani administration was expected to take a hard-line approach to extremists. Bhutto's death has dealt a severe blow to the global community, including the U.S., which is looking to eradicate al-Qaeda and the Taliban." ¶4. "General Election Could Be Postponed" The liberal Mainichi's report from New Delhi speculated (12/28): "The U.S.-outlined scenario of a coalition between President Musharraf and PPP leader Bhutto following the general election on January 8 as part of a USG initiative to democratize the nation has collapsed. There is speculation that the scheduled election could be postponed if the political confusion in Pakistan deepens." ¶5. "Assassination Adds to Turmoil in South Asia" The liberal Asahi's report from Bangkok stated (12/28): "The impact of Bhutto's murder on the international community will be greater than that of past assassinations, as the effects will likely be felt beyond Pakistan. Pakistan became the first Muslim country to go nuclear in 1998 and has been at the frontline of the U.S.-led war on terrorism since 9/11.... The general election set for January 8 is unlikely to be held as scheduled. Rioting in Pakistan is a distinct possibility, given the strong reaction of PPP supporters to the assassination. There does not TOKYO 00005674 002 OF 002 appear to be any way to calm the situation, as Pakistan appears to be on the verge of explosion." DONOVAN