Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Asean Summit and Opec

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UNCLAS TOKYO 005295

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 SUMMIT AND OPEC

LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Tuesday morning include
Tokyo prosecutors' request for US authorities to help
investigate a slush fund maintained by the US branch of
the scandal-hit defense hardware trading firm Yamada
Corp.

1. "First Step Toward East Asia Community" The liberal
Asahi editorialized (11/20): "The long-held dream of
creating an 'East Asian Community' is finally coming
into focus as a realistic goal for the future. Japan's
decision to forge an economic partnership agreement
with ASEAN will have significant relevance to this
initiative in the long run.... ASEAN marks its 40th
anniversary this year. It has been steadily transformed
from the tragic battlefield of the Vietnam War into a
common market. Its economy has expanded and overcome
the Asian financial crisis of 1997. The fact that ASEAN
is close to the formation of such a community is
profoundly impressive. In its summit today, ASEAN is to
adopt a charter that sets forth the foundation of a
community. Japan should offer support in order to help
ASEAN follow in the path of the EU."

2. "OPEC Supports Measures to Fight Global Warming" The
top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri wrote in an editorial
(11/20): "OPEC leaders apparently do not want to be
portrayed as the world's 'villains.' The Riyadh
Declaration issued at the OPEC summit mentions 'shared
concerns' about global warming and pledges long-term
stability of oil supplies.... The declaration expresses
support for international efforts to protect the global
environment and offers cooperation in tree-planting
initiatives, making it clear the organization's
endorsement of measures to combat global warming....
The reduction of carbon dioxide emissions has become a
global issue following the conclusion by the
International Panel on Climate Change that human-made
factors are primarily responsible for global warming.
OPEC appears to have determined that the continuation
of a negative stance on global warming would not be
wise."

SCHIEFFER

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