Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Russian Parliamentary

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P 030506Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
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UNCLAS TOKYO 005416

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 - RUSSIAN PARLIAMENTARY
ELECTIONS

LEAD STORIES: Monday morning's Asahi led with the
reported questioning by Tokyo prosecutors of several
senior Defense Ministry officials familiar with U.S.
force realignment programs in Okinawa concerning their
knowledge of individual initiatives and influence
peddling, if any, by arrested former Vice Defense
Minister Moriya.

1. "Doubts Raised About Election Fairness" The liberal
Tokyo Shimbun's Moscow correspondent wrote (12/3):
"Parliamentary elections were held across Russia on
Sunday. Given that President Putin's ruling party
"United Russia" appears to be heading toward a lopsided
victory, momentum is bound to build for creating a
system that would allow Putin to maintain his power
base even after he is required to step down from the
presidency next May. However, as European countries
canceled plans to send election observers and as
allegations emerged during the campaign about the
improper use of government agencies by the ruling
party, there will likely be concerns raised in the
international community about the fairness of the
Russian elections."

SCHIEFFER

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