TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - BURMA

UNCLAS TOKYO 001100 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 - BURMA ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Friday morning's national dailies gave prominent top play to the official announcements by DPJ Secretary General Hatoyama and former party President Okada that they will run in Saturday's party presidential election. ¶2. "Concerted International Pressure Imperative" On additional charges pressed against Aung San Suu Kyi by the Burmese junta, the liberal Tokyo Shimbun editorialized (5/15): "Going ahead with a general election in the absence of a 'symbol of democracy' could never be called genuine democratization. Given the current situation in which domestic opinions are being suppressed by force, there is no option other than applying international pressure. However, the lack of unity within the international community is problematic.... Burma has been turning a deaf ear to international criticism while deepening its reliance on China, which avoids objecting to human rights violations [in Burma]. It is necessary for each country to set aside its own interests [vis-a-vis Burma] and persuade the junta [to release her] by exercising its influence. ." ¶3. "Junta Removes Suu Kyi ahead of General Election" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri wrote from Bangkok (5/15): "By filing new charges against Suu Kyi, the Burmese junta, ahead of the 2010 general election, took an additional step toward eliminating the clout of the opposition leader, who is backed by the Burmese people and the international community. A careless intrusion into her house by an American allowed the junta to take advantage [to prolong her detention].... While continuing to contain its strongest political enemy, the junta is expected to forge ahead with election preparations by launching a political party that is favorable to the Burmese military." ZUMWALT