TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - TIBET

UNCLAS TOKYO 000908

SIPDIS

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 - TIBET



1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Thursday morning
included a government simulation of the movement of
evacuees in the event of a major earthquake in the
Tokyo area.


2. "International Criticism of China Is Natural" The
liberal Asahi editorialized (4/3): "...Although the
Beijing Olympics is just around the corner, criticism
of China is growing among foreign nations.... We are
frustrated with Chinese authorities' failure to provide
credible information about the recent unrest in Tibet.
The Chinese government has been maintaining that the
Dalai Lama plotted the strife. Beijing seems to be
trying to put down the protests with force while
limiting information about the unrest. The recent
events in Tibet may remind some people of the Tiananmen
incident in 1989. China has greater power today
compared to 19 years ago. On top of its economic
strength, the nation has won the international
confidence needed to host the Olympics. Foreign nations
may have granted China this honor in the hope that it
will be transformed into a nation that respects human
rights. The recent turmoil in Tibet could disappoint
such expectations. It is only natural for the global
community to criticize China."


3. "China Should Hold Dialogue with Dalai Lama" The
business-oriented Nikkei's editorial said: "Following
the start of the torch relay in China, an increasing
number of nations are casting a critical eye toward
China's hosting of the Olympics. This is because the
Chinese government has been dealing with the recent
unrest in Tibet in a high-handed manner.... The Chinese
government blames the Dalai Lama, saying that the
unrest in Tibet is an organized conspiracy plotted by
him.... The Chinese government should not conceal
information about the situation in Tibet but instead
should open the area for foreign inspectors.... The
U.S. and European nations have urged Beijing to talk
with the Dalai Lama.... The Dalai Lama is not seeking
independence. What he is calling for is 'high-level
autonomy' for Tibet.... The Chinese government should
show the same 'generosity' to the Dalai Lama as it has
displayed to a group of independence-seekers in
Taiwan."

SCHIEFFER