TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - IRAQ AND AIRPORT

UNCLAS TOKYO 003265 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 - IRAQ AND AIRPORT CLOSURE IN THAILAND ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top items on Monday morning included a plunge in public support for Prime Minister Aso. ¶2. "Is Roadmap for Exit in Sight?" on the Iraqi parliament's approval of a SOFA with the U.S., the liberal Asahi editorialized (12/1): "A roadmap for the U.S. to extricate itself from the quagmire in Iraq has finally been set.... The SOFA can be regarded as presenting an opportunity for the U.S. to ease the anti- American sentiment prevalent in Iraq and the broader Middle East. Much rides on whether the U.S. will be able to withdraw its troops smoothly while continuing to support reconstruction projects and national reconciliation in Iraq. President-elect Obama is expected to retain Secretary of Defense Gates due to his accomplishment in turning around the security situation in Iraq.... How will the next U.S. administration move to restore the prestige America lost over the Iraq war? The U.S. faces a tough road (out of Iraq)." ¶3. "ASEAN Summit up in the Air" The business-oriented Nikkei reported from Bangkok (12/1): "Following the prolonged closure of two major airports in Thailand, it is increasingly uncertain whether a series of international meetings, including the ASEAN and East Asia summits, can be held as scheduled in Chiang Mai in mid-December. If these conferences are postponed, the image of Thailand, which has been battered by the airport shutdown, will further decline." ¶4. "National Image Damaged" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (11/29): "If the closure of the airports is prolonged, an adverse economic impact will be inevitable. Concern is mounting that Thailand's economy, including hotels, transport, and other tourism-related industries, will record negative growth in the final quarter of this year due to the worldwide economic slowdown. Political uncertainty is likely to affect foreign investors' interest (in Thailand)." ¶5. "Balance between Democracy and National Interest" The business-oriented Nikkei argued in an editorial (11/29): "If the shutdown of one of Asia's major hub airports is prolonged, Thailand's economy will be hit hard, with the tourism and transport industries being affected. Chances are high that scheduled international conferences, including the ASEAN summit, will be put off. The Thai people should be very concerned that their country's interests could be undermined at various levels." SCHIEFFER