TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - GAZA ATTACK

UNCLAS TOKYO 003514 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 - GAZA ATTACK ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Monday morning included the Israeli military's air strike on the Gaza Strip over the weekend. ¶2. "Israel Should First Exercise Self-Restraint" The liberal Asahi editorialized (12/29): "... Although Israel claims that its attack on the Gaza Strip was part of its antiterrorism war against radicals, the act dealt with human life too lightly. UN Secretary-General Ban and the EU called for an immediate halt to violence there. The UN Security Council called for an emergency meeting. The international community needs to strongly urge Israel to stop its military action by exercising self-restraint... U.S. leadership is called for to overcome a crisis." ¶3. "International Community Should Mediate to Prevent Further Bloodshed" The liberal Mainichi's editorial wrote (12/29): "... Even if the chain of violence cannot be stopped easily, the international community needs to foster hopes for peace that were held by both the Israelis and the Palestinians. We propose that the Bush administration make its utmost efforts to prevent further bloodshed before its term ends in January." ¶4. "Diplomacy to Prevent Chain of Violence Needed" The business-oriented Nikkei stated in an editorial (12/29): "... The UN Security Council issued a statement calling for an immediate halt to all violence and all military activities. Both the Israelis and the Palestinians should immediately stop their acts that will involve many civilians. The international community should make diplomatic efforts by using all possible channels in order to calm the situation." ¶5. "Escalation of the Situation Should Be Stopped" The conservative Sankei editorialized (12/29): "... Although it might be difficult to call on the Israelis and the Palestinians to exercise self-restraint now, the international community should do its utmost to ensure that the situation does not worsen. The U.S., the EU, Russia, and the UN, which have served as mediators in the Middle East peace process, have the heavy responsibility. As the U.S. is under a transition period, international institutions have increased roles." ¶6. "Full-Scale War Should Be Avoided" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun wrote in an editorial (12/29): "... If we allow military retaliations to continue, the situation could develop to a full-scale war. French President Sarkozy, the current chair of the EU, and the UN Security Council called for an immediate halt to violence... We hope that both Israel and Hamas will make the decision to end a chain of retaliation." ZUMWALT