TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - BUSH VISIT TO MIDDLE

UNCLAS TOKYO 000092 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 - BUSH VISIT TO MIDDLE EAST ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Most Friday morning papers front-paged the planned enactment of the new antiterrorism legislation today, noting that this will allow the GOJ to resume the refueling operation in the Indian Ocean in mid-February. ¶2. "Bush Should Urge Parties to Coexist" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun editorialized (1/11): "Many have said that President Bush was not active in seeking Middle East peace due to his preoccupation with the Iraq war. However, his first visit to the region, coming on the heels of the Middle East peace conference held in the U.S. last fall, offers a ray of hope for a breakthrough in the Palestinian situation.... Some 60 years have passed since the founding of the state of Israel and the subsequent outbreak of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Coexistence between the Israelis and Palestinians is the only way to end the cycle of conflict and confrontation that has characterized the time since. President Bush needs to work on both sides in order to stabilize the region. Without exercising strong leadership, including echoing calls for Israel to stop the expansion of Jewish settlements on the West Bank, the president will not be able to secure what he calls a 'historic accomplishment' in his remaining term." ¶3. "No Accomplishment on Peace" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri's correspondent wrote from the Palestine territories (1/11): "In his separate talks with Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and Palestinian leader Abbas, President Bush did not make clear his position on the key issue of Israeli settlements. He failed to realize any substantive accomplishment toward peace in his first visit to the region.... The president said that Arab states will have to recognize Israel and urge Palestinians to make a tough choice. However, many Arabs believe that there will be no progress in peace talks without U.S. pressure on Israel. While President Bush intends to ask Arab states for cooperation in dealing with Iran, it remains to be seen whether the President's shuttle diplomacy will satisfy them." DONOVAN