Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Pakistan

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UNCLAS TOKYO 004917

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 - PAKISTAN

LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Monday morning included
the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's failure to
report to its leadership the fact that it underreported
the amount of fuel provided to a US Navy oiler in 2003.

"War on Terror Leads to Chaos in Pakistan" The liberal
Asahi editorialized (10/22): "Former Pakistani Prime
Minister Bhutto, who returned home for the first time
in eight years, was nearly the victim of a terrorist
attack.... Pakistan is the only Muslim nation with
nuclear weapons. The political situation in Pakistan,
if it deteriorates, will likely have a serious impact
on the international community.... The restoration and
enhancement of democracy is indispensable for
stabilizing Pakistan. The Pakistani government should
not take advantage of the recent bombing to impose
martial law or cancel the scheduled general election.
The US should be pleased with the cooperation between
President Musharraf and Bhutto. The US, which has
focused on the war on terrorism in Afghanistan since
9/11, decided to support the military government of
Pakistan. Backed by the US, the Musharraf government
has worked to eliminate Islamist radicals. However, the
campaign has produced little progress.... In
Afghanistan, the military operations conducted by the
US and other forces have hurt local residents and
helped the Taliban to regain influence. Next door in
Pakistan, meanwhile, Islamic fundamentalism and anti-
American sentiment are rising in concert with the
return of the Taliban. The so-called war on terrorism,
which is an attempt to eliminate the enemy through the
use of force alone, appears to be increasing
instability in the region."

SCHIEFFER

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