Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO1258
2009-06-05 06:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH IN CAIRO
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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
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
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