Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Afghan Election Results

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PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #2422 2940321
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P 210321Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
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UNCLAS TOKYO 002422

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 - AFGHAN ELECTION RESULTS

1. LEAD STORIES: Most Wednesday morning papers gave top play to
Japan Post Holdings President Nishikawa's announcement on Tuesday of
his intention to step down.

2. "Karzai Gives In to U.S. Pressure" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun
wrote in a correspondent's report (10/21): "Concerning the confused
results of the presidential election in Afghanistan, President
Karzai announced on October 20 his acceptance of a runoff, giving in
to pressure from the U.S. and other nations. Although Karzai will
likely keep his edge in the runoff, his centripetal force will
inevitably decline. The confusion in the main battlefield of the war
on terror is deepening, as there is no guarantee that the reelection
will be carried out fairly and the Taliban might step up its efforts
to sabotage the runoff even more than it did during the election in
August."

ROOS

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