Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Asean Regional Forum

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PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
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P 030228Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
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UNCLAS TOKYO 003550

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: TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM
(ARF)

1. LEAD STORIES: Most Friday morning papers front-paged
the conclusion on Thursday of the ASEAN Regional Forum
(ARF) foreign ministerial in the Philippines, with the
chairman's statement welcoming the shutdown of North
Korean nuclear facilities.

2. "China's Presence at ARF Stands out in Rice's
Absence" Manila correspondent Mayumi Otani of the
liberal Mainichi reported (8/3): "The presence of
China, a major power in East Asia, stood out at the
ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) foreign ministerial due to
Secretary of State Rice's absence for the second time

SIPDIS
in three years. China is pursuing a strategy of
deepening ties with ASEAN members, promoting
integration in East Asia, and gradually expanding its
influence in the region.... The US has postponed a US-
ASEAN summit scheduled for September, prompting ASEAN
members to conclude that Washington is neglecting ASEAN
and that they should seek closer ties with Beijing....
Leaders from the ASEAN+3 framework will meet in
Singapore in November to discuss cooperation in East
Asia and issue a joint statement, a draft of which says
that the meeting will reconfirm that ASEAN+3 will be
instrumental in the realization of the long-term goal
of creating an East Asian Community, reflecting China's
view. China anticipates that should East Asian
integration make progress, the members of ASEAN will
inevitably move away from the US."

SCHIEFFER

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