Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Gaza Attack

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UNCLAS TOKYO 003514

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 - GAZA ATTACK

1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Monday morning included

the Israeli military's air strike on the Gaza Strip
over the weekend.

2. "Israel Should First Exercise Self-Restraint" The
liberal Asahi editorialized (12/29): "... Although
Israel claims that its attack on the Gaza Strip was
part of its antiterrorism war against radicals, the act

dealt with human life too lightly. UN Secretary-General

Ban and the EU called for an immediate halt to violence

there. The UN Security Council called for an emergency
meeting. The international community needs to strongly
urge Israel to stop its military action by exercising
self-restraint... U.S. leadership is called for to
overcome a crisis."

3. "International Community Should Mediate to Prevent
Further Bloodshed" The liberal Mainichi's editorial
wrote (12/29): "... Even if the chain of violence
cannot be stopped easily, the international community
needs to foster hopes for peace that were held by both
the Israelis and the Palestinians. We propose that the
Bush administration make its utmost efforts to prevent
further bloodshed before its term ends in January."

4. "Diplomacy to Prevent Chain of Violence Needed" The
business-oriented Nikkei stated in an editorial
(12/29): "... The UN Security Council issued a
statement calling for an immediate halt to all violence

and all military activities. Both the Israelis and the
Palestinians should immediately stop their acts that
will involve many civilians. The international
community should make diplomatic efforts by using all
possible channels in order to calm the situation."

5. "Escalation of the Situation Should Be Stopped" The
conservative Sankei editorialized (12/29): "...
Although it might be difficult to call on the Israelis
and the Palestinians to exercise self-restraint now,
the international community should do its utmost to
ensure that the situation does not worsen. The U.S.,
the EU, Russia, and the UN, which have served as
mediators in the Middle East peace process, have the
heavy responsibility. As the U.S. is under a transition

period, international institutions have increased
roles."

6. "Full-Scale War Should Be Avoided" The liberal Tokyo

Shimbun wrote in an editorial (12/29): "... If we allow

military retaliations to continue, the situation could
develop to a full-scale war. French President Sarkozy,
the current chair of the EU, and the UN Security
Council called for an immediate halt to violence... We
hope that both Israel and Hamas will make the decision
to end a chain of retaliation."

ZUMWALT

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