Cablegate: Media Reaction Q Palestinian-Israeli Relations -

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UNCLAS TOKYO 003603

SIPDIS

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: MEDIA REACTION Q PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI RELATIONS -
TOKYO

LEAD STORIES: Most Thursday morning papers front-paged
the family reunion in North Korea between South Korean
abductee Kim Young Nam, who is believed to be Megumi
Yokota's husband, and his kin for the first time since he
was kidnapped by North Korea 28 years ago.

1."Coexistence of Two States the Only Way" The liberal
Mainichi editorialized (6/29): "What an ironic
development. The Islamic fundamentalist group Hamas,
which is the core of the Palestinian Authority, agreed in
principle on a policy paper regarding coexistence with
Israel. Shortly afterwards, however, Israeli troops went
on the offensive in the Gaza Strip and destroyed bridges,
power substations, and other facilities on which the
Palestinians depend. The poor residents of Gaza will
suffer further. The US and EU nations froze aid to the
Palestinians following the formation of the Hamas-led
cabinet. Palestinians may view this as punishment for
their voting for Hamas candidates in a democratic
election or as economic sanctions on refugees.

2. "On top of that, the Israeli troops that withdrew from
Gaza last fall have returned in force. There are concerns
that this will not only deal a blow to the everyday lives
of Palestinians but also trigger expanded retaliatory
attacks from armed Palestinian groups, further
diminishing hopes for peace. We hope that the US, which
has played a leading role in the peace process, will send
a senior government official to Israel and the
Palestinian territories to calm the situation.... Earlier
this month, members of a Palestinian family were killed
and injured on a Gaza beach in an attack believed to have
been launched by Israel troops. The military wing of
Hamas then broke the truce and launched an attack on
Israel, capturing an Israeli soldier. The Israeli
incursion is aimed at retrieving that soldier. Israel
should have further explored the possibility of a
diplomatic resolution of the situation, as Secretary of
State Rice had urged."

DONOVAN

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