Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Putin's Selection Of

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UNCLAS TOKYO 005522

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 - PUTIN'S SELECTION OF
SUCCESSOR

LEAD STORIES: Top stories this morning include an
agreement between the ruling LDP and its coalition
partner New Komeito to extend the current Diet session
for another month until mid-January to enact the new
antiterrorism legislation.

"Putin's Control to Continue" The liberal Mainichi
editorialized (12/12): "...President Putin selected his
closest aide, First Deputy President Medvedev, as his
successor. Putin appears to have chosen a person whom
he can easily control in order to establish a footing
for his continued rein.... The process of selecting his
successor has raised questions about democracy in
Russia. The Russian people are to select their
country's third president in the upcoming election.
They would appreciate democracy more if the election
were contested by candidates who espouse a variety of
values...."

SCHIEFFER

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