TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 002764 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 ON NEW U.S. STRATEGY ON AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Thursday morning included an Asahi report claiming that Prime Minister Hatoyama is considering postponing a conclusion on the Futenma relocation issue until next January or later. ¶2. "Training of Afghan Forces Holds Key to Success" The liberal Asahi editorialized (12/3): "The training of Afghan forces and police holds the key to success in the new U.S. strategy. This is an issue of whether the second Karzai administration will be able to develop sufficient governing ability to prevent a resurgence of terrorists, and stabilize the security situation in the nation." ¶3. "Decision to Send Additional Troops Unavoidable" The liberal Mainichi stated in an editorial (12/3): "Senior members of al-Qaeda have declared that they will use a nuclear weapon against the U.S. if they can obtain one. If terrorists ever launch a nuclear attack, not only the U.S. but also the entire international community will incur immense damage. In this regard, the decision to send additional troops was unavoidable." ¶4. "Afghan Government Bears Important Responsibility" The moderate Yomiuri opined in an editorial (12/3): "It is important for the Afghan government to take responsibility to improve public security in the nation. President Obama announced his policy of stepping up activities to train Afghan forces and police, and to cooperate with the Afghan security force. However, the foundation of the Karzai administration is extremely vulnerable. The U.S. military needs to make efforts to build a relationship of trust with influential local tribes." ¶5. "We Should Support U.S. Strategy" The business- oriented Nikkei editorialized (12/3): "Although it is uncertain whether the new strategy will bring about a breakthrough in the quagmire in Afghanistan, the security of the U.S. and the world will be exposed to serious threats if we fail to deal with the turmoil in Afghanistan, which has become a hotbed of international terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda. We should welcome the decision by the U.S. government.... There is no guarantee that the new strategy will achieve a successful outcome. Still, eliminating international terrorism by restoring public order in Afghanistan is an important challenge for the global community. There is no other way to achieve this than through unified efforts to support the new U.S. strategy." ¶6. "International Cooperation Indispensable" The conservative Sankei insisted in an editorial (12/3): "The success of the new strategy will affect the future course of worldwide efforts to fight terrorism. We should not allow it to fail.... For President Obama, this is a gamble with the fate of the nation. In order to achieve success and build a foundation for peace and stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan, international cooperation and participation will be indispensable." ¶7. " Cooperation from Global Community Essential" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun wrote in an editorial (12/3): "President Obama apparently hopes that the Afghan TOKYO 00002764 002 OF 002 government will establish a security system and gain sufficient governing ability before the U.S. starts withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan in 2011. However, distrust of the Karzai administration remains due to its involvement in corruption and drug trafficking. Cooperation from the UN and the global community is indispensable." ROOS