Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - U.S-China Relations,

VZCZCXRO8570
PP RUEHFK
DE RUEHKO #0251 0390621
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 080621Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9278
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA PRIORITY
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI//N541// PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA// PRIORITY
RUHBANB/OKINAWA FLD OFC US FORCES JAPAN CP BUTLER JA PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/USFJ PRIORITY
INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 8729
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 2545
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2997
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 3177
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 9676
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 9043
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS TOKYO 000251

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 - U.S-CHINA RELATIONS,
RUSSIA, AND UKRAINE

1. LEAD STORIES: There were no papers on Monday morning
because of a press holiday. Top stories covered by
broadcasters included reports on Japan Airlines'
intention to maintain its alliance with American
Airlines.

2. "Chinese Wary about Criticism of Beijing as Weak-
Kneed" On China's strong reaction to President Obama's
intention to meet with the Dalai Lama later this month,
a Beijing correspondent with the liberal Mainichi
wrote (2/7): "The U.S. arms sale to Taiwan and the spat
over Google are additional sources of conflict. By
demonstrating an unusually hard line toward the U.S.
ahead of the planned opening of the People's National
Congress on March 5, the Chinese government appears to
be trying hard to prevent domestic anti-American
sentiment from turning into criticism claiming that it
is 'weak-kneed.'"

3. "New Security Doctrine Reveals Rivalry with NATO"
The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri stated from
Moscow (2/7): "Russian President Medvedev has approved
a new military doctrine, revealing his administration's
policy of developing an army that can counter military
threats posed by NATO. With a recent military clash
with Georgia in mind, the doctrine reflected Moscow's
concern about military buildup by its neighbors and
displayed its posture of mobilizing its armed forces in
the name of 'protecting the safety of Russian nationals
abroad.' This demonstrated Russia's determination to
maintain its former republics as part of its 'sphere of
influence.'"

4. "Democracy Being Tested in Presidential Election in
Ukraine" The conservative Sankei reported from Kiev
(2/7): "Concerns are mounting that the democratization
in Ukraine brought on by the 'Orange Revolution' in
2004, including freedom of speech and fair elections,
may suffer a setback following the presidential
election.... Ukraine has been viewed as one of the most
successful cases of democratization among the countries
surrounding Russia. The presidential race is a test of
whether the democratization brought about by the 'color
revolutions' is taking root in the former republics of
Russia."

ROOS

© Scoop Media