Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Eu Expansion and Iraq-

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P 140258Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
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UNCLAS TOKYO 005560

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 - EU EXPANSION AND IRAQ-
SYRIA TIES

LEAD STORIES: Domestic news predominated in all Friday
morning dailies, particularly the ruling coalition's
tax policy for fiscal 2008 and the Osaka District
Court's proposal for an out-of-court settlement in a
case involving Hepatitis C infection from tainted blood
products.

1. "Accommodating Varying Interests of Members Makes
Makes Lisbon Treaty Meaningless" A Brussels
correspondent for the liberal Mainichi wrote (12/13):
"EU leaders signed the Lisbon Treaty on Thursday
calling for the creation of the posts of 'president'
and 'foreign minister' in preparation for the
anticipated EU expansion, with the goals of enhancing
its diplomatic prowess and undertaking more democratic
and efficient organization management.... However, the
pact is problematic, as there are various
inconsistencies in it due to members' differing
opinions.... A primary difference revolves around
whether the entity should become a 'federal state' or a
'union of sovereign states.' If the leaders fail to
present a clear picture of the organization's future
status, it is likely that more citizens will distance
themselves from the EU."

2. "US Gives Green Light to Resumption of Iraq-Syria
Ties?" The liberal Asahi's Damascus-based reporter
wrote (12/13): "The foreign ministers of Iraq and Syria
agreed in Damascus on Thursday to resume operation of a
pipeline between the two countries, which was damaged
in 2003 during the Iraq war. The two nations appear
keen to jumpstart the project, as Iraq wants to find
more buyers for its oil in order to secure money for
reconstruction, while Syria hopes to ensure oil
supplies and end its international isolation. The Bush
administration's policy change appears to be behind the
resumption of 'economic bond' between the two Arab
states."

SCHIEFFER

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