Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Russia

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DE RUEHKO #2615 2670240
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 230240Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
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UNCLAS TOKYO 002615

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

1. LEAD STORIES: Most Tuesday morning papers led with
the election of Taro Aso as LDP president, while Asahi
and Nikkei gave top play to the decision by the
Mitsubishi-UFJ Group to acquire a stake in Morgan
Stanley.

2. "Russia Eager to Display Military Prowess" A Moscow
correspondent for the liberal Asahi wrote (9/23):
"Following the row with the U.S. and Europe over the
Georgia crisis, Russia is moving to demonstrate its
military capabilities. On top of its recent dispatch of
a Northern Fleet flotilla to Venezuela, Russia has
started a major military exercise with Belarus. Russia
is ramping up its military spending and undertaking a
rapid review of major defense hardware. The Georgia
dispute appears to have given new momentum to Moscow's
desire to restore its military power."

SCHIEFFER

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