Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - 8/22 Speech Of

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UNCLAS TOKYO 004000

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: TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - 8/22 SPEECH OF
PRESIDENT BUSH ON IRAQ

LEAD STORIES: Most Wednesday papers led with the
results of their opinion polls taken after Monday's
cabinet reshuffle, showing that support for Prime
Minister Abe improved by as much as 12.5 points to 44
percent.

1. "Bush's Controversial Reading of War History"
Washington correspondent Arimoto of the conservative
Sankei wrote (8/29): "President Bush's speech on August
22 rejecting calls for a pullout of US forces from Iraq
has generated controversy for his reference to the US
victory over Japan in WWII and the Vietnam War. His
direct linking of the Iraq war and the Vietnam War was
the most controversial part, as he spoke of the
'tragedy' that occurred in Vietnam after the US
withdrawal. As the president is now in a tight corner
in the face of calls by some of his fellow Republicans
to get out of Iraq, it will be interesting to see how
the US public evaluates President Bush's reading of
history.... The White House is reportedly pleased that
the speech has elicited so much public interest. It is
uncertain to what extent his interpretation of the
Vietnam War will be shared by the public. There is no
question, however, that he achieved his of igniting
debate about the comparison."

DONOVAN

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