TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - RUSSIA-GEORGIA

UNCLAS TOKYO 002422 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-GEORGIA CONFLICT, POLITICAL TURMOIL IN THAILAND, AND U.S.-LIBYA RELATIONS ¶1. LEAD STORIES: All Thursday morning papers front-paged moves on Wednesday within the ruling LDP to find and field candidates to challenge Secretary General Aso, who is seen as the frontrunner in the party presidential race scheduled for September 22. ¶2. "Russia Should Respond to Mediation by EU" On the recent EU emergency summit on the Russia-Georgia crisis, the business-oriented Nikkei editorialized (9/4): "While Britain, Poland, Baltic states, and other countries called for sanctions on Russia during the meeting, Germany and France opposed such measures out of fear of greater Russian isolation.... While their stance can be seen as weak-kneed, inflaming tensions with Russia, which the U.S. is doing, would not lead to a resolution. Priority must be given to finding a solution to the conflict together with Russia.... French President Sarkozy plans to visit Moscow on September 8 for another round of mediation. Russia must positively respond to peace-brokering efforts by Europe." ¶3. "Both Sides Must Show Restraint" On the deepening row between supporters of the Thai government and the opposition People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD),the liberal Tokyo Shimbun argued in an editorial (9/4): "Both sides may be hoping for arbitration by King Bhumibol, as was the case during the political upheaval of 1992. Prolonged political turmoil has been having negative effects on the domestic economy, including a decline in the number of tourists. If the bloodshed is repeated, it might be impossible to stop the cycle of violence. Both sides must make concessions if they yearn for national development." ¶4. "U.S. Holds out Libya as Example" On the planned visit to Tripoli by Secretary of State Rice on September 5, a Washington correspondent for the top- circulation, moderate Yomiuri wrote (9/4): "The U.S is set to fully normalize diplomatic relations with Libya, which it once termed a 'rogue state.' Libya's improved ties with the U.S. are mainly attributable to its decision to abandon its WMD programs. While hailing normalization of ties with Libya as an important development demonstrating the success of its nonproliferation policy, Washington is calling for Iran and North Korea to make a similar decision." ZUMWALT