TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - IRAQ AND OLYMPIC TORCH

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000969 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 - IRAQ AND OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY ¶1. LEAD STORIES: All Wednesday morning papers gave top play to the informal decision by the DPJ to reject the GOJ nomination of former Vice Finance Minister for International Affairs Watanabe as deputy BOJ governor. ¶2. "U.S. Military Accepts Status Quo" On Gen. Petraeus's congressional testimony urging a 45-day halt in the withdrawal of troops in Iraq, the liberal Asahi's Washington correspondent wrote (4/9): "While security in Iraq has been substantially improved, the situation would not be stable without the presence of the U.S. military. Gen. Petraeus appears to have decided to take a wait-and-see approach in the judgment that a hasty pullout could undo the accomplishments thus far.... Concerns remain within the U.S. military about exhaustion from repeated deployments. The recommendation by Petraeus can be regarded as an acknowledgement of the status quo in Iraq, where the U.S. military is forced to undertake two missions simultaneously - the war on terrorism and peacekeeping operations meant to prevent civil war. As the continued presence of U.S. troops is a stopgap measure, a fundamental improvement in the situation in Iraq cannot be hoped for without reconciliation among the people of that country." ¶3. "Sense of Crisis over Iraq" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri reported from Washington (4/9): "Behind Gen. Petraeus's recommendation lies a sense of crisis on the part of the Bush administration that security in Iraq still remains fragile and could collapse at any moment. As about 140,000 U.S. troops are likely to remain in Iraq for the time being, finding an 'exit strategy' prior to the end of President Bush's term appears difficult." ¶4. "China Being Tested" The liberal Asahi editorialized (4/9): "China should not dismiss the unrest in Tibet as a ploy by a group led by the Dalai Lama and instead should face reality and examine how its policy toward Tibet is viewed by the international community. China may like to argue that a sporting event should be treated separately from politics. However, the reality says otherwise." ¶5. "Resumption of Dialogue Needed to Prevent Obstruction of Torch Relay" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun contended in an editorial (4/9): "In order to tamp down the disturbances associated with the Olympic torch relay, a resumption of dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama is imperative.... Common ground exists for talks between the two sides. Calling the Dalai Lama a 'demon with a human face and the mind of a beast' to incite hatred of him is not helpful in calming the situation." ¶6. "China Should Heed Calls for Dialogue" The liberal Mainichi argued (4/9): "China should be aware that the key to ensuring safe passage of the Olympic torch relay across five continents is held not by law enforcement authorities of host countries but rests with its own attitude. The international community is reacting strongly to Beijing's highhanded approach toward Tibetans and other ethnic minorities. Unless it TOKYO 00000969 002 OF 002 seriously heeds such opinions, people will continue to obstruct the torch relay." SCHIEFFER