TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - GAZA ATTACKS

UNCLAS TOKYO 000012 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 - GAZA ATTACKS ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Lead stories on Monday morning included the start on Saturday evening of Israel's ground attack on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. ¶2. "Hatred Could Lead to Quagmire" A correspondent wrote in the liberal Asahi from Jerusalem (1/5): "Israel's air and ground attacks are the largest ever offensive, which is aimed at inflicting serious damage to Hamas. However, the attacks could lead to a quagmire by causing a large number of civilian casualties." ¶3. "Attack Could Develop into Quagmire" The moderate Yomiuri's correspondent in Israel wrote (1/5): "The Olmert administration ignored the international community's call for a ceasefire and began a dangerous game. However, there is no clear exit plan, and the attacks could develop into a messy war that would sustain major civilian casualties." ¶4. "Prolonged Attack Could Damage Olmert Administration" The business-oriented Nikkei's correspondent in Dubai said (1/5): "... Backed by strong pubic support for its continuing attacks on Gaza, the Israeli government expressed strong determination to defeat the Hamas stronghold. However, Hamas is making a determined resistance and the ground attacks on one of the most populated areas in the world could cause significant human damage. If the current operation is prolonged, the action by the Israeli government could backfire." SCHIEFFER