Cablegate: Media Reaction - Isg Report - Tokyo

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P 142353Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9069
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INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 9165
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UNCLAS TOKYO 006969

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 - ISG REPORT - TOKYO

LEAD STORIES: Thursday morning's Yomiuri front-paged
remarks Wednesday by Foreign Minister Aso, in which he
proposed that Japan ask Russia to return half of the
Northern Territories.

1. "Pro-US Arab Nations React Strongly to ISG Report"
Cairo correspondent Yanagisawa of the top-circulation,
moderate Yomiuri wrote (12/14): "A move by the US to
change its policy in Iraq is facing a strong reaction
from both within and outside that Middle Eastern country.
The proposal by the Iraq Study Group (ISG) that the Bush
administration should talk with groups linked to former
President Saddam Hussein and to engage in dialogue with
Iran is likely to have a major impact on the current
Iraqi government and the national interests of pro-US
Arab nations. President Bush decided Tuesday to postpone
a speech concerning a review of US policy until after the
New Year, indicating that his administration's move to
break the Iraq stalemate has hit a snag."

SCHIEFFER

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