Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - G-7 and Ukraine

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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 - G-7 AND UKRAINE

1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Tuesday morning
included Prime Minister Hatoyama's meeting with DPJ
Secretary General Ozawa on Monday, during which the
premier reportedly approved Ozawa's decision to remain
in his post.

2. "Role of G-7 to Remain Important" The moderate
Yomiuri editorialized (2/9): "The G-7 will be
transformed into an informal venue, in which cabinet
ministers from advanced nations will exchange their
opinions candidly. It is certainly difficult for the G-
20, a larger group, to rapidly respond to emergencies,
such as sudden fluctuations in exchange rates. The role
of the G-7, which is capable of acting quickly, will
remain important."

3. "Ukraine Fails to Overcome East-West Conflict" The
liberal Mainichi wrote from Kiev (2/9): "In the run-off
presidential election in Ukraine, former Prime Minister
Yanukovich came out ahead of incumbent Prime Minister
Tymoshenko in the east part of the nation, while
Tymoshenko assumed the lead in the west. This election
result showed that Ukraine has yet to overcome the East-
West conflict within the country that was revealed in
the previous election in 2004."

4. "Democratization in Ukraine at Turning Point" The
liberal Tokyo Shimbun reported from Kiev (2/9): "The
victory of pro-Russia candidate former Prime Minister
Yanukovich in the run-off presidential election in
Ukraine on February 7 has become almost certain.
Democratization in Ukraine will face a major turning
point following incumbent President Yushchenko's loss
in the first round of voting in January and the defeat
of Prime Minister Tymoshenko, who led the 'Orange
Revolution' in 2004."

ROOS

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