TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - U.S.-RUSSIA SUMMIT AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000953

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 - U.S.-RUSSIA SUMMIT AND
OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY



1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Tuesday morning include
the disruption of the Olympic torch relay in Paris by
demonstrators opposing the Chinese crackdown in Tibet.


2. "Outstanding Issues Remain" The liberal Tokyo
Shimbun editorialized (4/8): "The issue of MD
deployment in Europe remains a serious obstacle to
confidence-building between the U.S. and Russia.
Additionally, as START I is to expire next year, it is
imperative to sign a new accord on strategic weapons.
In order to prevent a new arms race, it is important
for the two countries to negotiate flexibly and
sincerely.... The U.S. and Russia as nuclear
superpowers hold the key to ensuring international
peace and security. Without mutual cooperation, it will
be almost impossible to resolve such issues as Iran's
nuclear development."


3. "Possibility of New Cold War Remains" The
conservative Sankei wrote in an editorial (4/8): "It
was correct for President Bush to promise continued
cooperation with Russia while remaining firm on NATO's
eastward expansion and U.S. plans to deploy MD in
Europe. In the post-Cold War era, countries should make
their own decisions on which organizations they will
belong to, and it has long been NATO's policy that
Russia will not be given a veto. The U.S. and NATO must
not compromise on these principles and should reinforce
their unity in dealing with Russia in the future. From
the standpoint of the U.S. and Europe, Russia is
neither an enemy nor a reliable friend. Patience and
coordination are required from the West. At the same
time, Russia must reflect on how it is viewed by the
rest of the world."


4. "Sarkozy's 'Change of Heart' Ignites Protest" The
liberal Mainichi's Paris correspondent commented on the
disruption of the Olympic torch relay (4/8): "French
President Sarkozy's change in his approach toward China
appears to have energized protestors against the
Olympic torch relay in Paris. In sharp contrast to his
predecessor Chirac, who called China a 'strategic
partner,' Sarkozy appears to be distancing France from
China. French citizens apparently consider the Sarkozy
administration's policy toward China as backing for
their own solidarity with Tibetans."


5. "China Afraid Protests Could Spark Nationalism at
Home" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri wrote from
Beijing (4/8): "In view of the intense protests against
the Olympic torch relay in Europe, the Chinese media
have launched a counteroffensive stressing that the
disruptions were orchestrated by a few 'Tibetan
independence elements' and that the international
community largely welcomes the relay. The Hu
administration, in the face of growing anger among
Chinese people to the demonstrations overseas, is
hoping to ease the tension by tacitly allowing people
to voice their frustrations online, while at the same
time enhancing security measures to ensure order.
Beijing appears to be determined to prevent nationalism
from getting out of control."


6. "Solution Based on Olympic Spirit Needed" The
conservative Sankei editorialized (4/8): "What the
Olympics values most is human rights. The International
Olympic Committee (IOC) should squarely face the fact

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that Tibetans protested Beijing's human rights
violations ahead of the Olympics and were killed or
injured in response. Calling on the international
community, including China, to peacefully resolve the
dispute would be a nonpolitical act on the part of the
IOC that would be in line with the Olympic spirit."

SCHIEFFER