Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO312
2009-02-10 02:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - IRAQ, MUNICH SECURITY
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UNCLAS TOKYO 000312
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 - IRAQ, MUNICH SECURITY
CONFERENCE, IRAN AND AFGHANISTAN
UNCLAS TOKYO 000312
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 - IRAQ, MUNICH SECURITY
CONFERENCE, IRAN AND AFGHANISTAN
1. LEAD STORIES: Top items on Tuesday morning included
a continued fall in public approval of Prime Minister
Aso and Nissan's massive layoff plan.
2. "Prime Minister Wins by Improving Security" On the
recent Iraqi provincial elections, the top circulation,
moderate Yomiuri editorialized (2/10): "The prolonged
stalemate in Iraq was partly caused by a sharp
religious sectarian rift. The victory of the camp
supporting Prime Minister Maliki reflected Iraqi
voters' wise judgment that national reconstruction
would be impossible without overcoming such religious
strife.... However, the country is still confronted
with many challenges. The Maliki administration needs
to deal with sources of conflict among religious groups
and ethnic tribes one by one."
3. "U.S., Russia, Europe Looking for Reconciliation" On
the Munich security conference, a correspondent for the
business-oriented Nikkei reported (2/10): "The U.S.,
Europe, and Russia are all aware of the need for them
to coordinate policies in order to deal with the
paramount security challenges engulfing the globalized
world. Given that the three parties now appear to be
ready for reconciliation and confidence-building, the
focus of attention will be paid to whether they can
produce specific achievements on such daunting tasks as
Middle East peace and the war on terrorism in
Afghanistan."
3. "Clash between Conservatives and Moderates" On
former Iranian President Khatami's decision to
challenge incumbent President Ahmadinejad in the June
presidential election, a Tehran-based reporter of the
liberal Asahi wrote (2/10): "The presidential race is
likely to become a battle between the conservatives and
moderates. Will Iran go back to a soft line toward the
international community in view of mounting public
discontent over hyper-inflation at home? The election
will set the future course for Iran, which is to mark
the 30th anniversary of the Iranian revolution today."
3. "How to Review Strategy in Afghanistan" On Afghan
President Karzai's call for political participation by
moderate forces of the Taliban, the business-oriented
Nikkei insisted in an editorial (2/10): "The
deterioration of the security situation in Afghanistan
is very serious. The Afghan government must employ
every tool in order to achieve a breakthrough....
Karzai has been faulted for labeling all
anti-government elements as terrorists and thus not
doing enough to incorporate moderate opponents into
political process. It is high time for the Karzai
administration to review its political strategy."
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 - IRAQ, MUNICH SECURITY
CONFERENCE, IRAN AND AFGHANISTAN
1. LEAD STORIES: Top items on Tuesday morning included
a continued fall in public approval of Prime Minister
Aso and Nissan's massive layoff plan.
2. "Prime Minister Wins by Improving Security" On the
recent Iraqi provincial elections, the top circulation,
moderate Yomiuri editorialized (2/10): "The prolonged
stalemate in Iraq was partly caused by a sharp
religious sectarian rift. The victory of the camp
supporting Prime Minister Maliki reflected Iraqi
voters' wise judgment that national reconstruction
would be impossible without overcoming such religious
strife.... However, the country is still confronted
with many challenges. The Maliki administration needs
to deal with sources of conflict among religious groups
and ethnic tribes one by one."
3. "U.S., Russia, Europe Looking for Reconciliation" On
the Munich security conference, a correspondent for the
business-oriented Nikkei reported (2/10): "The U.S.,
Europe, and Russia are all aware of the need for them
to coordinate policies in order to deal with the
paramount security challenges engulfing the globalized
world. Given that the three parties now appear to be
ready for reconciliation and confidence-building, the
focus of attention will be paid to whether they can
produce specific achievements on such daunting tasks as
Middle East peace and the war on terrorism in
Afghanistan."
3. "Clash between Conservatives and Moderates" On
former Iranian President Khatami's decision to
challenge incumbent President Ahmadinejad in the June
presidential election, a Tehran-based reporter of the
liberal Asahi wrote (2/10): "The presidential race is
likely to become a battle between the conservatives and
moderates. Will Iran go back to a soft line toward the
international community in view of mounting public
discontent over hyper-inflation at home? The election
will set the future course for Iran, which is to mark
the 30th anniversary of the Iranian revolution today."
3. "How to Review Strategy in Afghanistan" On Afghan
President Karzai's call for political participation by
moderate forces of the Taliban, the business-oriented
Nikkei insisted in an editorial (2/10): "The
deterioration of the security situation in Afghanistan
is very serious. The Afghan government must employ
every tool in order to achieve a breakthrough....
Karzai has been faulted for labeling all
anti-government elements as terrorists and thus not
doing enough to incorporate moderate opponents into
political process. It is high time for the Karzai
administration to review its political strategy."
ZUMWALT