Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Burma, China, And

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PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #1326 1360148
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 150148Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4260
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA PRIORITY
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI//N541// PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA// PRIORITY
RUHBANB/OKINAWA FLD OFC US FORCES JAPAN CP BUTLER JA PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/USFJ PRIORITY
INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 7806
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 0192
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 6138
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 8397
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 1486
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 3345
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 2298
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 9360
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 9825
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS TOKYO 001326

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 - BURMA, CHINA, AND
MIDDLE EAST PEACE

1. LEAD STORIES: Most Thursday morning papers gave top
play to the devastation in Sichuan Province, China,
which was hit by a powerful earthquake on Monday.

2. "Junta's Rejection of International Relief Teams a
Crime Against Humanity" The business-oriented Nikkei
editorialized (5/15): "...The Burmese junta's rejection
of international relief teams is increasing the damage
caused by the cyclone.... UN Secretary-General Ban
harshly criticized the junta's response to the cyclone
as 'unacceptably slow.' President Bush and leaders of
European nations, including the UK and France, also
voiced criticism of the Burmese regime.... The decision
by the junta to go forward with a national referendum
on May 24 in the devastated areas was detached from
reality.... The UN expressed the view in 2005 that the
international community has a responsibility to protect
people if their government commits a crime against
humanity.... The UN may need to take action to rescue
those people who are in a life or death situation. The
responsibility of China and Russia is great, as they
have close relations with the junta."

3. "Protection of Human Life the Primary
Responsibility" The conservative Sankei argued in an
editorial (5/15): "...The U.S. and Japan have offered
all possible support, including personnel assistance,
to China. Why is China refusing such offers? ... The
Chinese government declined Japan's offer of a
professional rescue team by saying that accepting such
a team would be difficult for the time being due to bad
road conditions in the devastated areas.... President
Hu has ordered his subordinates to make every effort
possible to rescue injured persons and ensure the
safety of residents in the affected regions. The
earthquake was massive. China would be unlikely to lose
face even if it were to accept the assistance of
foreign nations."

4. "Predicament of Palestinian Refugees Should Be
Ended" The liberal Asahi's editorial said (5/15):
"...The issue of Palestinian refugees must not be
forgotten. The number of such refugees registered with
the UN has increased to 4.5 million.... Although
President Bush is making diplomatic efforts to reach an
agreement on Middle East peace before he steps down
next January, peace will be impossible without solving
the issue of Palestinian refugees.... We hope the U.S.
will play a fair and positive role as a mediator."

DONOVAN

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