TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - WTO, COP14, AND

UNCLAS TOKYO 003411 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 - WTO, COP14, AND THAILAND ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Tuesday morning included the start on Monday of the Japanese Air Self- Defense Force's withdrawal from Kuwait following the completion of its five-year airlift operation in Iraq. ¶2. "Fear about Possible Rise in Protectionism" The conservative Sankei's editorial stated (12/16): "The WTO Doha Round talks failed to break the deadlock and gave up on its goal of reaching an agreement by the year's end. This is very regrettable, as the trade liberalization talks, in which 153 nations and regions take part, were expected to help stop the deterioration of the world economy that was hit by the financial crisis." ¶3. "No Room to Halt Negotiation" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun editorialized (12/16): "The COP14 meeting held in Poznan, Poland, postponed an agreement on international commitments to achieving a goal of post- Kyoto greenhouse gas emissions cuts. As the deadline for the negotiation is only a year ahead, no further standstill is allowed... Eleven years have past since the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol. Efforts until now should not be spoiled." ¶4. "Poznan Conference Postpones Problems" The business- oriented Nikkei said in an editorial (12/16): "... It will not be easy to reach an agreement by the end of next year by taking differing interests of about 190 nations into consideration. The end of the Bush administration, which has been negative about the environmental issues, will likely expedite the negotiation. As well-versed experts are expected to work on the climate change negotiation under the Obama administration, the U.S. will likely announce its own policy soon after the launch of the new administration." ¶5. "Dialogue Needed for Conciliation" The liberal Asahi editorialized (12/16): "As a democratic leader in Southeast Asia, will Thailand be able to restore stability? The new prime minister needs to take immediate steps to reduce confrontation and hatred and restore stability in the country through dialogue with the Thai people." SCHIEFFER