Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Global Economy, North

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PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #2715 2740225
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 300225Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7589
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
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RUHBANB/OKINAWA FLD OFC US FORCES JAPAN CP BUTLER JA PRIORITY
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INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 0114
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 2471
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 8202
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 0689
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 3856
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5583
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 2543
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RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1859
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UNCLAS TOKYO 002715

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 - GLOBAL ECONOMY, NORTH
KOREA AND PAKISTAN

1. LEAD STORIES: Most Tuesday morning papers
front-paged a coordinated decision by the central banks
of the U.S., Japan, and Europe to provide financial
markets an additional $330 billion in liquidity in
order to make credit available in dollars amid a freeze
in lending among commercial banks.

2. "Bailout Scheme Must be Effective" On the U.S. plan
to bail out the financial industry, the conservative
Sankei editorialized (8/30): "What is critical is to
employ all tools available in order to preempt a
financial depression. Elections must not be used as an
excuse to prevent that."

3. "Assistant Secretary Hill Is Facing Crucial Moment"
A Washington correspondent for the top-circulation,
moderate Yomiuri wrote (9/30): "In his upcoming trip to
Pyongyang, Assistant Secretary of State Hill will
attempt to find common ground on the issue of nuclear
verification in order to jumpstart the nuclear
disablement process. If his diplomacy falters, however,
the U.S. and South Korea would likely suspend energy
assistance for North Korea in order to counter its
restoration of nuclear facilities at Yongbyon. The six-
party talks appear to be at a crossroads."

4. "Turmoil in Nuclear State Worrisome" On growing
political instability in Pakistan, the liberal Asahi
asserted in an editorial (9/30): "What is worrisome is
that Pakistan possesses nuclear arsenals. If the
Zardari government's grip on power wanes, such weapons
may fall into the hands of terrorists. This must be
prevented at all costs. Preoccupation with Afghanistan
runs the risk of undermining security in Pakistan and
this is very dangerous.... The international community
should prioritize supporting the civilian Pakistani
government in order to help it tamp down domestic
unrest."

SCHIEFFER

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