TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - RUSSIA/OSSETIA AND U.S.-

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 002195 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 - RUSSIA/OSSETIA AND U.S.- INDIA NUCLEAR PACT ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Monday morning included another terrorist attack on Sunday apparently carried out by Muslim separatists on a local government complex in the city of Kuqa in west central Xinjiang, China. ¶2. "Prevent Conflict from Getting Out of Control" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun insisted (8/11): "What is necessary for the Saakashvili administration is to conduct balanced diplomacy while acknowledging that it neighbors with an enemy. Meanwhile, Russia should also stop viewing former Soviet republics as under the influence of its sphere of interest and stop treating them as subordinates." ¶3. "Immediate Ceasefire Should Be Given Foremost Priority" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri claimed (8/11): "Granted that a large majority of people in South Ossetia is pro-Russia, a stark reality is that the region is still a Georgian territory. If Russian support for Osseatian separation is justified, Russia should also accept separating Chechnya." ¶4. "Russia Called upon to Exercise Restraint" The conservative Sankei argued (8/10): "As South Ossetia is close to Chechnya, the conflict between Russia and Georgia could light a fire on an 'ammunition dump.'... Russia should reflect one more time on the consequences of its military action on its neighbor. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Europe should issue a clear message of support for Georgia, which has just initiated steps toward becoming a democratic country, because regional stability can be assured only when national integration of Georgia is preserved." ¶5. "Use of Force Cannot Settle Conflict" The liberal Asahi contended (8/10): "The U.S. should step in as an intermediary.... As the U.S. has supported President Saakashvili, who has become more anti-Russian, it should be held partly responsible for the conflict.... The use of force to settle the dispute would inevitably unleash the breakout of ethnic conflicts across Russia and its neighboring countries. There are no options for the two warring parties other than giving up arms and come to the negotiating table." ¶6. "Prevent Russia-Georgia Conflict from Spreading Out of the Borders (of Georgia)" The business-oriented Nikkei asserted (8/10): "The UN Security Council has not been able to issue a statement calling for a truce due to differing views between the U.S. and Russia. The current conflict, as if reminding one of the return of the Cold War, cannot be accepted. In order to prevent it from spreading out of the borders (of Georgia), swift efforts are called upon for an immediate ceasefire." ¶7. "Danger of According India Special Treatment" On the U.S.-India civilian nuclear cooperation accord, the liberal Mainichi editorialized (8/11): "It is crystal clear that giving India special treatment would prompt Pakistan to demand similar privilege.... A nuclear deal with an economically-emerging India must be tempting for the U.S. However, India cannot be regarded as a sufficiently stable country, given the possibility of rekindling a conflict with Pakistan. Iran, which is reportedly keen about being on an equal footing with India and Pakistan, is also a source of concern.... The TOKYO 00002195 002 OF 002 Bush administration should be doing its utmost to deal with the NORTH Korean nuclear problem. It is not very comfortable knowing that Washington appears to be preoccupied with allowing India to be accepted as a nuclear power. The U.S. at present should focus on denuclearizing NORTH Korea." SCHIEFFER