TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - GEORGIA-RUSSIA CRISIS

UNCLAS TOKYO 002337 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 - GEORGIA-RUSSIA CRISIS AND U.S.-INDIA NUCLEAR AGREEMENT ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top items on Tuesday morning included a consensus forged among ruling coalition officials that the extraordinary Diet session will convene on September 12 and run through November 20. ¶2. "U.S.-Russia Summit Needed" The liberal Mainichi argued (8/26): "Rather than leaving his successor with a new Cold War, President Bush should look into ways to enhance coordination with Russia. The U.S. and Russia must cooperate on the six-party talks on North Korea, as well as on Iran's nuclear development.... U.S.-Russia dialogue is needed to deal with the Georgian crisis and MD deployment in Europe. Rather than widening their rivalry by courting other countries, the U.S. and Russia would be better served by holding a summit." ¶3. "Russia Attempting to Drive Wedge Between U.S., Europe" A Moscow correspondent for the business-oriented Nikkei wrote (8/26): "Russia is upping the ante against the U.S. and Europe, which are demanding a complete withdrawal from Georgia. Behind a series of statements by President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin lies their assumption that the U.S. and Europe will not be able to maintain a united front against Russia, as Germany and other European nations, which have deep economic ties with Russia, do not want to aggravate their relations with Moscow. Russia hopes to effectively control Georgia by driving a wedge between the U.S. and Europe." ¶4. "Will U.S.-India Pact Help Prevent Nuclear Proliferation?" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (8/26): "The U.S.-India nuclear cooperation accord, rather than patching up cracks in the NPT regime, runs the risk of enlarging them.... The USG request to the nuclear suppliers group (NSG) that India be exempted from its strict nuclear export regulations is unacceptable, as India is under no requirement to reduce its nuclear arms.... Allowing India to receive nuclear cooperation while tolerating its possession of nuclear arms would set a bad precedent. Pakistan would request similar treatment, while cries of unfairness from NPT signatories would mount. Trust in the NPT regime, which has already been greatly shaken by the nuclear programs of North Korea and Iran, must not be further undermined." ¶5. "Brake Must Not Be Readily Removed" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun wrote (8/26): "The U.S. took the lead in launching both the IAEA and NSG with the primary goal of preventing nuclear proliferation. The Bush administration's position (on nuclear cooperation with India) represents a policy turnaround and can be criticized as a double standard. The U.S., before the nuclear cooperation accord takes effect, should advise India to join the NPT." ZUMWALT