TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - THE OBAMA TEAM AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 003293 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 - THE OBAMA TEAM AND CRISIS IN THAILAND ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Wednesday morning included the collapse of the Somchai administration in Thailand. ¶2. "Quick End to Turmoil Needed" The liberal Asahi editorialized (12/3): "Criticism of the government in a democratic state is a matter of course. However, such a reckless act as occupying an airport is not acceptable.... The decision by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to end the airport closure is a step forward. The government and antigovernment forces should seize the opportunity and hold talks in a cool manner in order to put an end to the antigovernment activities that take place every time there is a change of prime minister." ¶3. "Thailand on Verge of Anarchy" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri wrote from Bangkok (12/3): "The antagonism between forces led by former Prime Minister Thaksin and those opposed to him has worsened.... The Thaksin camp is likely to try to hold on to power by forming a new party, while the anti-Thaksin bloc will attempt to prevent this. Thailand is close to falling into anarchy." ¶4. "National Divide Deepening" A Bangkok correspondent for the liberal Mainichi reported (12/3): "The stalemate in Thai politics has deepened following the collapse of the Somchai government. Antigovernment forces are proclaiming 'victory,' while government supporters are reacting strongly to the Constitutional Court ruling that was made without substantive deliberation, calling it a 'judiciary coup.' The schism among Thais is becoming more serious, and the country is confronted with a national crisis." ¶5. "Court Intervenes in 'Civil War'" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun commented in a dispatch from Bangkok (12/3): "The Constitutional Court of Thailand in one bold stroke pushed a Thaksin-backed government into collapse.... However, no exit is yet in sight to the turbulence that has deepened divisions in the country and crippled international trust in Thailand." ¶6. "Dawn of New Era in Dark World" The liberal Mainichi asserted in an editorial (12/3): "We hope that President-elect Obama and Secretary of State-designate Clinton will renew U.S. diplomacy through coordination. They are urgently called upon to make a clear break with the unilateralism and extreme neoconservativism that pushed the U.S. into isolation and to restore international trust in the country." ¶7. "The Future of Clinton Diplomacy" In an editorial, the moderate Yomiuri claimed (12/3): "There has been pronounced disarray within the State Department, the Pentagon, and the White House over how to wage the war on terrorism. A recurrence of this situation cannot be accepted.... Close policy coordination among Obama, Clinton, and Gates is imperative." ¶8. "Meaning of Secretary of State Clinton" The business- oriented Nikkei argued in an editorial (12/3): "In appointing Sen. Clinton as secretary of state, TOKYO 00003293 002 OF 002 President-elect Obama said her appointment demonstrates to America's friends and foes his determination to renew U.S. diplomacy and repair alliances. Her nomination is a sign of 'change,' while the retention of Robert Gates as secretary of defense signals 'continuity' and 'stability.' Domestic political considerations also played a role in their appointments. The selection of Sen. Clinton was intended to unite the Democratic Party, while the decision to retain Secretary of Defense Gates was aimed at stressing a bipartisan approach. With this, President-elect Obama apparently hopes to ensure stability in Iraq and Afghanistan." ¶9. "Attention Paid to Asia Diplomacy by Obama Team" The conservative Sankei editorialized (12/3): "President- elect Obama has expressed respect for America's tradition of a bipartisan national security policy. This realism is welcomed. Political stability is finally taking root in Iraq. We hope the incoming president will not be overly wedded to his election pledge of an early troop withdrawal and will instead be flexible in order to prevent all the accomplishments to date coming to naught." SCHIEFFER