Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Situation in Burma

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PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #4717 2820455
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 090455Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8365
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RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
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RHMFIUU/USFJ PRIORITY
INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 3612
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 6023
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RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS TOKYO 004717

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 - SITUATION IN BURMA

LEAD STORIES: Front-page items in six major dailies on
Tuesday morning include the alleged remarks by Kim Jong
Il to South Korean President Roh during their recent
summit in Pyongyang that there are no more Japanese
abductees in the DPRK.

"Determination of Fallen Photojournalist Must Be
Carried On" The liberal Asahi editorialized (10/9): "A
funeral was held in Tokyo yesterday for the
photojournalist recently killed by the Burmese
military.... The Burmese junta has claimed that the
killing was an 'accident.' However, judging from video
footage taken at the scene, as well as the autopsy
results showing how the bullet passed through his body,
it is clear that he was targeted. The GOJ should press
the junta for information, including who shot him and
why, as well as who ordered the shooting. The GOJ also
must demand the return of his video camera. The issue
of Burmese victims must not be overlooked, either.
While Burmese authorities have claimed that only 10
people were killed in the violence, other information
points to the death of over 100 people. Thousands more
have been arrested, with some injured persons being
forcibly taken from hospitals.... While Japan is
currently not on the UN Security Council, it is
qualified to make a statement in the body, as a
Japanese citizen was killed. When the council adopts a
chairman's statement, Japan should take part in the
session and clearly express its anger. At the same
time, the GOJ needs to review its aid to Burma. While
it is considering suspending some of its assistance
programs, the GOJ must first admit that its approach of
promoting democratization through dialogue has failed."

DONOVAN

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