VZCZCXRO5447
PP RUEHFK
DE RUEHKO #4772 2330512
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 210512Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5573
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/COMUSJAPAN YOKOTA AB JA PRIORITY
INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 7735
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 1064
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 3840
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1203
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 9971
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1666
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS TOKYO 004772
SIPDIS
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: MEDIA REACTION Q CUBA-US RELATIONS - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Monday morning's Yomiuri front-paged GOJ
proposals for international sanctions on Iran that would
be imposed in the event Tehran rejects the UNSC
resolution adopted last month. According to the paper,
Japan will propose that the international community
impose sanctions step by step and refrain from banning
Iranian oil exports at first. Tokyo will also propose
that nations lift the punitive measures as soon as Iran
suspends uranium enrichment.
1. "After Castro: Cuba Should Improve Relations with US"
The liberal Asahi editorialized (8/21): "It has been
three weeks since Cuban President Fidel Castro, who has
ruled the country for nearly half a century, fell ill. It
is time for the world to think about Cuba after he is
gone.... The Cuban government announced late last month
that Castro had undergone an operation for an intestinal
disorder but has not released any details about his post-
operative condition. Power has temporarily been handed
over to Castro's brother Raul.... Castro himself called
on Cubans to 'watch the situation optimistically' while
at the same time 'preparing to face bad news.' It is
clear that Cuba has entered a period of transition into a
post-Castro era.... Cuba will now be required to make a
'soft landing' in the transition to a freer society while
avoiding chaos.
2. "Just in terms of the economy, China provides a good
model regarding reform and opening. Any attempt to
increase political oppression would disappoint the
international community, and it would not only deepen
Cuba's isolation but also fuel both indigenous and
external efforts to topple the regime. Cuban exiles in
Florida and elsewhere will likely try to take advantage
of Castro's illness and overthrow the government. These
exiles are well known for their active lobbying for
economic sanctions and should not be taken lightly. The
USG should be trying to tamp down such moves; it will not
to do foment them. If civil unrest in Cuba spreads, large
numbers of refugees will make their way to Florida."
DONOVAN