TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - CROSS-BORDER ASSAULT IN

UNCLAS TOKYO 003007 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 - CROSS-BORDER ASSAULT IN SYRIA ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Most Tuesday morning papers gave front- page coverage to Monday's fall in Tokyo stock prices to the lowest level in 26 years, as well as an informal decision by Prime Minister Aso to postpone a snap election until next year so that he can concentrate on dealing with the economic turmoil. ¶2. "Cross-Border Attack Meant to Apply Pressure on Syria?" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri wrote from Cairo (10/28): "The possibility is high that the cross-border attack in eastern Syria from Iraq was a special operation carried out by the U.S. military aimed at preempting terrorists from entering Iraq.... The fact that the attack was launched during daylight hours reflects the U.S. intention to play up the operation at home and abroad. One view holds that the outgoing Bush administration displayed U.S. military power in order to press Syrian President Assad not to provide shelter to terrorists. However, Syria is moving out from international isolation, as it has established diplomatic relations with Lebanon, which Damascus had long considered a protectorate. The U.S. attack in Syria has actually enhanced Syria's diplomatic standing, with President Assad probably looking to ask the next U.S. administration to review U.S. policy toward his country." SCHIEFFER