TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - NATO SUMMIT

UNCLAS TOKYO 000921 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 - NATO SUMMIT ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Several Friday morning papers gave top coverage to Thursday's arrest of a 22-year-old U.S. sailor on suspicion of fatally stabbing a taxi driver in Yokosuka last month. ¶2. "NATO Eastward Expansion Losing Steam" The top- circulation, moderate Yomiuri reported from Bucharest (4/4): "With the official participation of Ukraine and Georgia in NATO being shelved, the organization's post- Cold War strategy of expanding eastward appears to be losing momentum. As Russia under President Putin has restored its 'great power' status and blocked NATO's eastward expansion for the first time, NATO is likely to be forced to review its strategy toward Moscow.... The U.S. and European countries have been forcing their sphere of influence eastward while discounting Russia's opposition with the goal of embracing the former Soviet republics. However, they miscalculated by not being able to predict the revival of a strong Russia, which was possible due to a surge in the prices of natural resources.... The confrontation of the Cold War days is not an option. Working-level cooperation between NATO and Russia, such as joint patrols in the Mediterranean, has been in place since 2001 in line with the war on terrorism and the prevention of WMD proliferation. NATO is likely to explore a new approach toward Moscow using these accomplishments as a starting basis." ¶3. "Cooperation for Afghan Stability Not in the Offing" A correspondent for the liberal Asahi wrote from Bucharest (4/4): "In view of the announced commitment by France and others to deploy additional troops in Afghanistan, NATO on the surface was able to demonstrate its unity in enhancing security maintenance operations there. However, as it has failed to come up with concrete measures for stabilizing Afghanistan, disarray apparently remains within the organization." ¶4. "U.S. Grip on NATO Eroding" A Washington-based reporter for the liberal Asahi asserted in a piece from Bucharest (4/4): "NATO's decision to put off membership for Ukraine and Georgia is a setback for President Bush, given that he made his support for their accession clear during his recent visit to Ukraine.... The U.S. has been consistent in using NATO as a venue for ensuring security in Europe and for exercising leadership based on its military power. The U.S. grip on NATO is now beginning to wane." SCHIEFFER