Cablegate: Media Reaction - Iraq - Tokyo

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UNCLAS TOKYO 006389

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 - IRAQ - TOKYO

LEAD STORIES: Tuesday morning's Yomiuri front-paged a GOJ
plan to extend the Air Self-Defense Force mission in
Iraq, which is to expire December 14, until July 31,
2007.

1. "Hussein's Death Sentence: Will It Inflame Sectarian
Conflict?" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri
editorialized (11/7): "Saddam Hussein will be hanged, but
it is questionable whether this will have a positive
impact on the reconstruction of Iraq.... We are concerned
that the death sentence will end up adding fuel to the
prolonged sectarian conflict between Sunnis and Shiites.
The targets of violence have already expanded to include
ordinary citizens not affiliated with any political
organizations, with more than 1,200 Iraqis killed last
month alone. The Maliki government needs to look squarely
at this reality.... As the case involves a death
sentence, it will automatically be appealed according to
law. The Iraqi government must refrain from fanning a
'war of revenge.'... Amidst the current situation,
though, there is a faint ray of hope in Iraq. The
government, backed by the Arab League, is preparing for a
'reconciliation conference' that would include rival
groups, including armed Sunni factions.... It is
imperative that the Iraqi government move steadily in the
direction of national unity and isolate international
terrorist groups. The international community should
reaffirm the importance of giving long-term support to
Iraq."

2. "Hussein's Death Sentence: Questions Remain" An
editorial in the liberal Asahi commented (11/7): "An
Iraqi special tribunal has sentenced Saddam Hussein to
death. Although the sentence has not been finalized, as
an appeal is pending, the outcome will probably remain
unchanged.... Was it mere happenstance that the verdict
was handed down just days before the US midterm
elections? The present Shiite-dominated Iraqi government
is finding it difficult to deal with the deteriorating
security situation. Is it trying to demoralize the Sunnis
by condemning the former president to death?... It is a
plain fact that the USG gave military and economic
support to Iraq until just before the 1991 Gulf War as
part of the US policy to contain Iran. The oil strategies
of major nations intersect in the Middle East. The trial
of Hussein would be more meaningful if the court would
also shed light on these aspects in order to prevent the
appearance of another monster like Hussein."

SCHIEFFER

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