Cablegate: Media Reaction - Venezuelan President Chavev's

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UNCLAS TOKYO 006847

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 - VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT CHAVEV'S
REELECTION - TOKYO

LEAD STORIES: Tuesday morning's Nihon Keizai and Tokyo
Shimbun front-paged reports from Washington on a White
House announcement Monday that US Ambassador to the UN
Bolton will resign when his current term expires in
January 2007.

1. "Anti-American Domino Effect May Gain Momentum"
Caracas correspondent Shinichi Ikeo of the moderate Tokyo
Shimbun wrote (12/5): "Venezuela's anti-American
President Chavez was elected to a third term Sunday.
Chavez is expected to accelerate the move to the left and
the anti-American domino effect growing in Latin America.
By contrast, President Bush's Republican Party suffered a
crushing defeat in recent midterm elections and can no
longer conceal the debacle in Iraq. It is likely that the
international move away from the US led by Chavez will
accelerate."

2. "The 'Face of Anti-Americanism' Gaining Strength"
Caracas correspondent Shinichiro Nakajima of the top-
circulation, moderate Yomiuri stated (12/5): "Venezuela's
anti-American, leftist President Chavez was elected to a
third term on Sunday. With one leftist administration
after another emerging in Latin America, the influence of
the most radical anti-American leader in the region is
certain to grow. The question for Chavez is how to bring
in Brazil and other moderate left governments to achieve
his goal of a larger anti-American bloc."

3. "Chavez Eyeing Dictatorship" Caracas correspondent
Satoru Iwaki of the business-oriented Nihon Keizai
commented (12/5): "The leftist, anti-American Venezuelan
President Chavez won a third term on Sunday. Chavez, who
has spent the country's vast oil revenues on anti-poverty
programs, won with overwhelming support from low-income
voters. With his vision of '21st century socialism'
ratified by the voters, he is expected to strengthen
control over the Venezuela's resources and work to join
hands with neighboring countries to oppose the US. There
are fears that Chavez is aiming for 'permanent
reelection' by revising the constitution, moving
Venezuela toward dictatorship."

SCHIEFFER

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