TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - INDIA, SRI LANKA, AND MIDDLE EAST

UNCLAS TOKYO 001129 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 - INDIA, SRI LANKA, AND MIDDLE EAST PEACE ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Friday morning's Sankei gave top play to a report on an arrest warrant against a Japanese company president, who allegedly exported to North Korea two large trucks that are prohibited for export due to the potential that they could be converted for use as vehicles to transport ballistic missiles. ¶2. "Indian People Choose Political Stability" On the victory of the ruling Congress Party in the recent general election in India, the top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (5/19): "[The results probably mean that] Indian people have endorsed the ruling party's accomplishments over the past 5 years of elevating the country into a growth center in Asia and opted for continued political stability.... With the advancement of the Congress Party, the administration of Prime Minister Singh has now been given a stronger standing to undertake such economic reform programs as the privatization of state-owned enterprises and deregulation measures designed to attract foreign investment." ¶3. "Singh Administration Bears Heavy Responsibility" The liberal Asahi asserted in an editorial (5/19): "It is very significant that India, with its population of 1.1 billion, has maintained a stable democracy in this region. The Singh administration is expected to continue to play a constructive role in ensuring stability in South Asia.... As a leader of emerging economies, India also bears a heavy responsibility in combating global warming and strengthening the free trade system. It should exercise bold leadership by taking advantage of its solid political foundation." ¶4. "Ethnic Conflict to Be Brought to Political Arena" On the death of Tamil rebel chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, the moderate Yomiuri reported from Colombo (5/19): "The demise of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) signals an end to a policy of establishing a Tamil state through armed struggle. However, the source of conflict between majority Sinhalese and minority Tamils has not disappeared. The battle will continue in the political arena.... If the opinions of the minority group continue to be neglected, there will be a risk of rekindling the source of conflict. The Sri Lankan government's political capacity to achieve genuine ethnic reconciliation will be tested." ¶4. "President Obama Serious about Jumpstarting Middle East Peace Talks" The business-oriented Nikkei wrote in a correspondent's report from Washington (5/19): "President Obama hopes to achieve a breakthrough in Middle East peace talks by putting the issue in a wider context and sealing a 'comprehensive peace accord' involving a number of Islamic countries. The Obama administration is also showing interest in holding dialogue with Iran and Syria. President Obama's summit diplomacy, starting with a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, will become even more important in determining whether the U.S. will be able to offer entry into a comprehensive package that stabilizes the entire region." ZUMWALT