TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN

UNCLAS TOKYO 002505 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 - AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN ¶1. LEAD STORIES: All Thursday morning papers gave front-page play to Prime Minister Hatoyama's Diet remarks on Wednesday, during which he expressed his determination to carry out his party's policy platform within four years. ¶2. "International Coordination Important for Eliminating Terrorism" The moderate Yomiuri editorialized (10/29): "Although the armed insurgents penetrating Afghanistan and Pakistan are not necessarily under the same chain of command, it is highly likely that they are forming a united front. In this regard, internationally coordinated operations will be important. The U.S. and other nations are concerned that acts of terrorism by armed insurgents will increase the confusion and that Pakistan's nuclear weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists. This must be prevented." ¶3. "Taliban Stepping up Offensive Ahead of Run-Off Election" The conservative Sankei wrote (10/29): "The terrorist attacks in Kabul on Wednesday were the Taliban's 'declaration' to the Afghan government and the international community that it has launched a full-fledged offensive to obstruct the run-off election on November 7.... The U.S. and the international community, which place importance on the implementation of a run-off election, are facing a major challenge from the Taliban, as acts of terrorism are likely to escalate in the future." ¶4. "Vulnerable Public Security Situation Casts Shadow over Run-Off Election" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun wrote (10/29): "The simultaneous terrorist attacks in Kabul on Wednesday carried out by the Taliban revealed that public security arrangements in the country remain vulnerable ahead of the run-off election on November 7. If the Taliban, which has declared that it will obstruct the election, steps up its offensive, voter turnout is highly likely to be affected. The legitimacy of the election, on which the international community pins its hopes, is in jeopardy because no effective measures to prevent election fraud from occurring again have been taken yet." ROOS