Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Tensions in South

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UNCLAS TOKYO 000621

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 - TENSIONS IN SOUTH
AMERICA AND CHINESE MILITARY BUILDUP

1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Monday morning included
Sen. Obama's victory in the Wyoming caucus.

2. "Source of Tension Remains Despite Reconciliation"
The conservative Sankei reported from Los Angeles
(3/9): "Diplomatic tensions in South America were eased
following Friday's summit between Columbia, Ecuador,
and Venezuela, with the assembled leaders reconciling
to end a dispute. The deepening schism that pitted pro-
U.S. Columbia against its left-leaning neighbors was
defused. However, some observers are of the opinion
that the source of tension remains despite the swift
reconciliation.... With the major regional powers of
Brazil and Argentina appearing to be in the "left
camp," Colombia was effectively forced to back down in
view of its growing isolation in the region."

3. "Concern about Rapid Increase in China's Military
Spending" The top circulation, moderate Yomiuri
editorialized (3/10): "The sharp increase in China's
defense expenditures concerns Japan and its neighbors,
as well as the U.S.... In an annual report on Chinese
military power, the DOD claimed that Beijing has spent
two to three times more on its military than official
figures show. If that allegation is true, China would
be number two in the world in terms of defense
spending, trailing only the U.S. As China faces few
pressing threats, one cannot make a reasonable case for
Beijing's arms buildup. Transparency in its military
spending also remains low, including details about
defense hardware."

SCHIEFFER

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