TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - PRESIDENT OBAMA'S EAST ASIAN TOUR,

UNCLAS TOKYO 002335 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 - PRESIDENT OBAMA'S EAST ASIAN TOUR, PAKISTAN, AND SAUDI-SYRIA RELATIONS ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Friday morning included the first meeting on Thursday of a new GOJ tax panel created under the Hatoyama administration. ¶2. "U.S. to Call Attention to Stronger Ties with China" On the White House announcement concerning President Obama's upcoming trip to East Asia, the business-oriented Nikkei wrote (10/9): "The announced itinerary reflects the Obama administration's intention to enhance relations in a range of areas with China, whose political and economic presence is growing rapidly, as well as its desire to remind North Korea of close coordination among the U.S., Japan, China, and South Korea. On the economic front, attention will be focused on how to rectify the [U.S.] trade imbalance with Japan, China, and South Korea, which have run huge trade surpluses by relying on the North American market." ¶3. "Opposition to U.S. Support Package Growing within Pakistani Military" The liberal Mainichi stated (10/9): "The schism is deepening between the Pakistani government and the Pakistan military and opposition forces over legislation regarding a non-military aid package that was approved by the U.S. Senate in September. This is because the bill is asking Islamabad to allow Washington to have a say in its nuclear policy and carry out joint military operations aimed at combating armed insurgents in exchange for providing Pakistan with $1.5 billion annually for the next five years. While the Pakistani government welcomed the bill, its military and others criticized the bill as a 'violation of Pakistan's sovereignty.' The legislation runs the risk of having a negative impact on Pakistani operations against armed radicals that the U.S. is asking for the enhancement of, and unleashing political confusion [in Pakistan]." ¶4. "First Step toward Reconciliation, Stability in Middle East" On Saudi King Abdullah's visit to Damascus, the top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri reported from Cairo (10/9): "This was the first visit to Syria by the Saudi King, who assumed his post in 2005. It left an impression of reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Syria, which have opposed each other over such issues as Iran and Lebanon. There are growing expectations that this rapprochement will lead to unity among Arab states and have positive effects on the deadlocked Lebanese situation and progress on Middle East peace." ZUMWALT