TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - BUSH VISIT TO MIDDLE

UNCLAS TOKYO 000129 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 - BUSH VISIT TO MIDDLE EAST ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Lead stories on Thursday morning included the continued fall in Tokyo stock prices. ¶2. "Realism Becomes More Pronounced" A Washington-based reporter from the liberal Mainichi accompanying President Bush wrote from Riyadh (1/17): "President Bush's diplomatic goal of 'spreading freedom and democracy,' which was unveiled during his second inaugural address, completely lost its appeal during the course of his Middle East tour. The president refrained from pressing the authoritarian regimes of the Middle East to democratize and instead took a more realistic approach in order to prioritize unity with them in order to encircle Iran. It is noteworthy that in the Middle East the U.S. has abandoned its overarching emphasis on elections and U.S.-style democracy.... Bush's hard line of 'ending tyranny' has changed completely." ¶3. "Bush Visit Fails to Deliver" A Washington correspondent for the top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri reported from Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt (1/17): "President Bush visited Israel and the Palestinian territories for the first time to call for Middle East peace talks, which he followed up with a five-nation tour of the region, calling for support for peace talks and the containment of Iran. However, the cost of the president's failure to address Middle East peace for so many years appears to be high, as he was unable to elicit any specific pledges from Arab leaders, who distrust the U.S. administration.... Bush's remaining term in office is too short to seal a peace accord and to restore the trust and prestige of the U.S. in the Middle East." DONOVAN