TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - WTO, WAR ON TERROR,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 003437 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, WAR ON TERROR, U.S. ENVIRONMENT POLICY, AND THAILAND ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Most Wednesday morning dailies front- paged a GOJ panel decision to stipulate in the GOJ's mid-term tax reform program a phased increase in the consumption tax starting in fiscal 2011. ¶2. "Failure No Longer Acceptable" On the WTO failure to convene a ministerial on the Doha Round trade liberalization talks, the liberal Asahi editorialized (12/17): "A Doha Round agreement within this year was proposed by G20 leaders in an attempt to head off increased protectionism or decline in global trade. The failure to reach an agreement will call into question the determination of the major economic powers. On the contrary, it may have reminded the world of the paramount difficulties awaiting the global economy. There may be countries that set up trade barriers to prioritize their domestic economy or form an exclusive trading bloc.... The disappearance of a global consensus for maintaining free trade would shrink the volume of global trade, which would in turn exacerbate the economic crisis. It must not be forgotten that protectionism eventually led to a world war in the past." ¶3. "Armed Groups Gaining Influence in Pakistan" A correspondent for the liberal Mainichi stated in a dispatch from New Delhi (12/17): "In response to the terror attacks in Mumbai last month, the Pakistani military has ceased operations to crack down on armed groups near the border with Afghanistan, leading to increasing influence on the part of these militias. This demonstrates the incompetence in the war on terror of the Pakistani military, which has been under pressure following cross-border attacks by the U.S. military and criticism of Pakistan by India concerning the Mumbai assault. The war on terror in South Asia appears to be heading toward a stalemate." ¶4. "Dream Team in the Offing" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri wrote from Washington (12/17): "With his appointment of top energy and environment advisors, President-elect Obama took the first step toward fulfilling his election pledges to promote the use of renewable energy and deal with climate change. By naming an 'environmental dream team,' the President-elect has made clear his position of reversing the Bush administration's reactive approach to the environment and taking the initiative. However, difficulties still lie ahead before his campaign pledges can be realized." ¶5. "Change in U.S. Environment Policy" The business- oriented Nikkei reported from Washington (12/17): "The lineup of the incoming Obama administration's environment and energy policy team has been determined. The appointment of a scientist who calls for less dependence on oil as energy secretary signals a clear turnaround in U.S. environment policy. With the creation of the post of special assistant to the president on energy and climate change, the Obama administration is set to place emphasis on international cooperation on the issue of global warming and exercise leadership in global efforts to reduce greenhouse gases." TOKYO 00003437 002 OF 002 ¶6. "National Reconciliation Urgently Needed" On the election of new Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the liberal Tokyo Shimbun wrote in an editorial (12/17): "The new administration must rectify economic disparities by implementing measures to assist farmers, who are strong supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin.... Economic reconstruction is also crucial. Thai politics has been in disarray in the midst of the worldwide financial crisis. Until it extricates the nation's economy from the turbulence, the new government is bound to face difficulties." SCHIEFFER