Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Russia-Georgia Tension

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UNCLAS TOKYO 001188

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 - RUSSIA-GEORGIA TENSION

1. LEAD STORIES: All Thursday morning papers gave top
play to the passage in the Lower House on Wednesday of
a bill to reinstate gasoline surcharges and other road-
related taxes.

2. "Tension Rising Again in Georgia" The moderate
Yomiuri's correspondent report from Moscow said (5/1):
"Russian announced on Tuesday its intention to increase
its troops in Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia. The tension
between Russia and Georgia is mounting, as the Russian
move will likely fan Abkhazia's desire for
independence. Russia's dissatisfaction with the U.S.
and European nations, which supported Kosovo's
declaration of independence in February, seems to be
increasing. Moscow's move against Georgia, which is
seeking NATO membership, appears to be aimed at
countering the U.S. and European nations."

3. "Russia Sending Additional Troops to Abkhazia and
South Ossetia" The conservative Sankei's report from
Moscow said (5/1): "Tension is building up between
Russia and Georgia following Moscow's decision on
Tuesday to send additional troops to Abkhazia and South
Ossetia, both of which have been seeking independence
from Georgia. Russia's intention to block Georgia's
participation in NATO appears to lie behind Moscow's
troop increase....It is almost certain that Russia and
Georgia will conduct a war of nerves."

SCHIEFFER

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