TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH IN CAIRO

UNCLAS TOKYO 001258 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 - PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH IN CAIRO ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Several Friday morning papers front-paged a speech in Cairo by President Obama, in which he reportedly expressed his strong commitment to engage the Muslim world. ¶2. "High Hopes for 'New Beginning'" The liberal Mainichi editorialized (6/5): "Given that the relationship between the U.S. and the Muslim world cooled to an unprecedented level under the Bush administration, President Obama's speech trumpeting a 'new beginning' between the two was epoch-making. The President clearly stated that the U.S. will never fight with Islam. His historical perspective of Islam being part of the U.S. is also noteworthy.... His statement that no system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other marked a departure from the previous Bush administration's calls for 'Middle East democratization' and 'regime change,' and represented his hope for reconciliation. However, any Middle East policy initiative [by the U.S.] will end up being a 'pie in the sky' unless trust in the U.S. is restored. Just as in the case of his Prague speech calling for a 'world free of nuclear weapons,' the President's ability to put words into action will be tested." ¶3. "Historic Message of Reconciliation" A correspondent for the moderate Yomiuri reported from Cairo (6/5): "There is no doubt that the President's sincere attitude has left the Muslim world with the impression that the U.S. has changed. However, it is still unknown whether President Obama will be able to end America's decades-long practice of adopting 'double standards' in pursuing Middle East peace, the war on terrorism, and in dealing with pro-U.S. dictators. The Muslim people will be watching carefully to see whether he can do it." ¶3. "President Aims to Ease Anti-American Sentiment" The liberal Asahi wrote in an analysis (6/5): "President Obama's language reflected his intention to try to drive a wedge between Islamic extremists and ordinary Muslims and to isolate the former. However, a deep-rooted view in the Arab world holds that distrust of the U.S. can be dispelled only through swift actions, not with rhetoric or logic." ZUMWALT