Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Burma

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PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #2600 3140411
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 100411Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
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RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
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RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
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RUHBANB/OKINAWA FLD OFC US FORCES JAPAN CP BUTLER JA PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/USFJ PRIORITY
INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 7347
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 9701
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 4548
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 7865
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 1166
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1782
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 3074
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 8448
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 7934
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS TOKYO 002600

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

1. LEAD STORIES: All Tuesday morning papers gave top or front-page
play to the decision on Monday by the government revitalization unit
to review 447 government programs in the fiscal 2010 budget as part
of its efforts to curtail the "wasteful" use of taxpayer money.

2. "Myanmar Should Take Steps toward Democratization" The liberal
Mainichi editorialized (11/10): "The U.S. has launched direct talks
with the nation's military junta out of concern that Myanmar could
become another troublesome 'rogue state' like North Korea. This is a
major policy shift from the sanctions-only approach that Washington
has taken in the past.... The leadership of Myanmar should not let
this opportunity pass by. It is time for the leaders of Myanmar to
boldly change their policy. We hope the nation will reconstruct its
close relations with Japan and work toward achieving a legitimate
democratic nation... Specifically, the junta must release Aung San
Suu Kyi and allow her freedom to act. The leaders must also conduct
next year's general election, the first to be held in 20 years, in a
fair manner, acceptable to the international community.... Assistant
Secretary of State Campbell stated to the U.S. Congress that he will
work with Japan, the EU, and Australia to democratize Myanmar and
will call on China and India to urge the junta to carry out reform.
We hope the U.S. will maintain this policy."

ROOS

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