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Cablegate: Daily Summary of Japanese Press 02/14/08

Published: Thu 14 Feb 2008 08:09 AM
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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 02/14/08
INDEX:
(1) Pref. assembly to pass resolution in protest of U.S.
serviceman's rape (Okinawa Times)
(2) Editorial: Must avoid having the USFJ realignment being affected
by Okinawa schoolgirl rape incident (Sankei)
(3) Editorial: Schoolgirl raped in Okinawa -- Another despicable act
by an American soldier (Tokyo Shimbun)
(4) Editorial: Why another incident in Okinawa? (Nikkei)
(5) Aso approaching DPJ with eye on becoming prime minister after
Fukuda (Tokyo Shimbun)
(6) LDP eager to enact permanent law, while New Komeito and DPJ less
enthusiastic (Tokyo Shimbun)
(7) Ishiba's vision to integrate MOD and SDF personnel and unify
three staff offices into one creates stir (Asahi)
(8) What is Fukuda administration's environmental diplomacy? (Part
1): Environmental policy in view of relations with NGOs (Asahi)
ARTICLES:
(1) Pref. assembly to pass resolution in protest of U.S.
serviceman's rape
OKINAWA TIMES (Page 1) (Full)
February 14, 2008
In the wake of an Okinawa-based U.S. Marine's rape of a junior high
school girl, the Okinawa prefectural assembly's special committee on
U.S. military bases, chaired by Seiichi Oyakawa, passed a resolution
unanimously in protest of the incident. The resolution calls the
incident is "an extremely atrocious crime that tramples on human
dignity," adding that it is "a mean act that can never be forgiven."
The resolution calls for the U.S. forces and others to take every
possible measure in order to prevent such an incident from
recurring. In the committee meeting, an official from the Okinawa
prefectural police revealed that U.S. military personnel have been
involved in a total of 14 rape cases (including attempted ones)
since 1995. The resolution of protest will be brought up to a
plenary sitting of the prefectural assembly today and is expected to
be unanimously passed.
In the committee meeting, an official from Okinawa Prefecture's
Military Base Affairs Division explained that the total number of
off-base registered housing units for rent to U.S. forces was 6,098
as of September last year, including 5,107 contracted houses. In
addition, the official also revealed that the prefectural government
remains unable to grasp the number of persons living in these
houses.
In this connection, Sogi Kayo, a member of the special committee
from the Japanese Communist Party, pointed out that Japan remains
unable to grasp the number of U.S. servicemen living in off-base
housing because U.S. military personnel are not subject to resident
registration with local government offices.
TOKYO 00000400 002 OF 010
Akira Uehara, chief of the Okinawa governor's office, noted that it
would be difficult to have U.S. military personnel living in
off-base housing register their residency. "But," Uehara added, "I'd
like to consult with other organizations about whether that is
possible."
Another member of the special committee, Masaharu Kina, who is with
the Okinawa Socialist Masses Party (OSMP), challenged the fact that
Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima did not lodge a protest but instead took the
form of making a request to U.S. military officials when they called
at the prefectural government office. "The governor should have
distanced himself more from them," Kina said. Uehara explained, "The
governor expressed his regret, but this of course connotes a
protest."
In addition, Uehara also stated that the Japanese and U.S.
governments responded "very quickly" to the incident. "I think that
they are strongly aware of how serious the incident is," he said.
The resolution demands three points: 1) offering apologies to the
victim and family as well as making full compensation; 2) taking
effective and specific steps for the thoroughgoing prevention of a
recurrence; and 3) reducing the U.S. military presence further.
Representatives from the prefectural assembly will present the
resolution to Japanese and U.S. government organizations in Okinawa
Prefecture tomorrow and to Japanese and U.S. government
organizations in Tokyo on Feb. 18-19.
(2) Editorial: Must avoid having the USFJ realignment being affected
by Okinawa schoolgirl rape incident
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full)
February 13, 2008
Something that should never have occurred has happened again. A
U.S. Marine Corps staff sergeant stationed in Okinawa has been
arrested on suspicion of raping a school girl. The incident has
deeply damaged the feelings of Okinawa's residents, who have long
sought elimination of crimes committed by U.S. servicemen. Both
Japan and the U.S. should strictly investigate the case and do their
utmost to prevent a recurrence. They should try to settle the case
with great sincerity so that it will not become politicized.
The rape of a girl in 1995 became complicated over how to deal with
the accused under the Japan-U.S. Status-of-Forces Agreement (SOFA).
The incident became politicized, shaking the bilateral alliance. The
Japan-U.S. Special Action Committee (SACO) on Okinawa, signed an
agreement that included the return of Futenma Air Station to Japan.
Ten years later, a realignment of U.S. forces in Japan has begun as
a follow on to that agreement. The incident this time has occurred
at such a time.
The major goal of SACO and the U.S. forces realignment plan, as
agreed on in 2006, is to strengthen the deterrence capabilities of
the Japan-U.S. alliance and to reduce Okinawa's base burden. In
particular, 75 PERCENT of U.S. bases are concentrated in Okinawa.
Needless to say, the physical and psychological burdens of U.S.
military bases include crimes committed by U.S. servicemen.
Such being the case, a situation in which anti-U.S. base sentiment
escalates to an extent of disrupting progress of the realignment of
TOKYO 00000400 003 OF 010
U.S. forces in Japan must be prevented by all means. That is the key
challenge facing the politics of Japan and the U.S. That is because
it would be the reverse of our intention, if efforts to implement
the realignment plan aimed at reducing base burden suffer a
setback.
Such a situation would serve as a negative factor affecting the
bilateral alliance and could threaten the peace and safety of people
in Okinawa. Foreign Minister Koumura on Feb. 12 expressed concern,
"It is likely that the incident will affect Japan-U.S. relations."
He made that comment with such a possibility in mind.
Delicate consideration to the sentiment of people in Okinawa and
cool-headed administrative judgment are indispensable in order to
facilitate the realignment plan, while obtaining understanding of
local people. There is no excuse for the heinous crime that befell
the girl. It is only natural that Governor Hirokazu Nakaima has
filed a strong protest.
Both Japanese and U.S. authorities must throw light on the case and
press ahead with strict procedures, while responding directly to the
prefectural residents' anger. It will also be necessary to draft new
measures in close cooperation with the local community so that their
calls for prevention of a recurrence will not wind up being nothing
more than hollow phrases.
Crimes committed by U.S. servicemen are not just Okinawa's problem.
All local governments involved in the realignment of U.S. forces in
Japan are watching whether the case can be settled in a manner that
satisfies local resident. We want the Japanese government not to
forget that.
(3) Editorial: Schoolgirl raped in Okinawa -- Another despicable act
by an American soldier
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 5) (Full)
February 13, 2008
Another incident of U.S. soldier raping a schoolgirl has occurred in
Okinawa, creating even greater public concerns. If the incident had
occurred one day earlier, a different outcome would likely have come
about in the Iwakuni mayoral election in Yamaguchi Prefecture. We
have heard over and over promises to do the utmost to prevent a
recurrence of such incidents. The government must make serious
efforts now to eliminate such crimes.
The alleged rape incident took place on the night of Feb. 10, the
same day that a candidate supportive of the planned relocation of
U.S. carrier-based aircraft to Iwakuni won the Iwakuni mayoral
election. A U.S. Marine Corps staff sergeant at Camp Courtney in
Uruma, Okinawa Prefecture, accosted three girls on a local street
and drove one of the three to his home. When the girl began crying,
the suspect put her into his car and raped her there. Later, police
in Okinawa Prefecture arrested the Marine on the charge of raping
the girl. The suspect has denied the allegation.
Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima said angrily: "It is a grave
incident that infringes on women's human rights." A wave of anger is
spreading across the nation. The Japan-U.S. alliance is supposed to
protect the peace and safety of the people and should not be a cause
for creating a situation that creates fear among the public. Still,
we repeatedly hear news of vulgar acts by U.S. soldiers.
TOKYO 00000400 004 OF 010
In 1995, a 12-year-old girl was raped by three U.S. servicemen in
Okinawa. This incident sent a shock wave across the nation. Set off
by this incident, the governments of Japan and the U.S. agreed on a
plan to return Futenma Air Station to Japan and to improve the
operation of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement. Despite such
agreements, there is no end to crimes involving U.S. servicemen.
Whenever an incident occurs, the government asks the U.S. side to
enforce tighter discipline and to take steps to prevent a recurrence
of similar crimes. But this kind of incident has once more occurred.
The two governments seem hardly aware that the series of incidents
could affect the very foundation of the bilateral alliance.
The latest incident also may have some effect on the issue of
relocating Futenma Air Station to Nago City. The Nago municipal
government has finally agreed to start an environment impact
assessment in preparation for constructing runways. In response to
this development, the government has decided to provide the
municipal government with subsidies linked to accepting the
realignment of U.S. forces in Japan. As it stands, the relocation
issue was about to emerge from a state of deadlock and move forward.
But the incident will inevitably make residents react even more
fiercely to constructing a new U.S. military facility in their city.
The incident is also likely to seriously affect all local
governments housing U.S. military bases.
The government should take a resolute attitude in negotiating with
the U.S. government on the matter and hold talks with local
residents in a sincere manner, instead of resorting to the usual
method of exerting influence with money. Prime Minister Fukuda said:
"This is a very serious problem. I want you to make utmost efforts
to clear up the facts about the incident." In many cases in the
past, the prime minister has treated such matters as if they had
nothing to do with him.
It is now time to study the possibility of reviewing the Japan-U.S.
Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). This agreement contains a number
of conditions disadvantageous to Japan. For instance, there is a
clause specifying that the custody of an accused member of the U.S.
armed forces or a civilian component, if the individual is in the
hands of the U.S., shall remain in U.S. military custody until
indicted by Japanese authorities. Since the operation of SOFA was
improved, the U.S. side has responded to Japan's requests more
flexibly, but the U.S. still has discretionary power.
Japan should take a firm stance in dealing with the latest incident,
keeping the possibility of revising the SOFA in mind. Taking such a
stance might be a shortcut to eliminating crimes by U.S. soldiers.
The government must quickly come up with specific countermeasures to
put an end to the chain of tragedies.
(4) Editorial: Why another incident in Okinawa?
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
February 13, 2008
One immoral person's act can seriously undermine the relationship
between one country and another. The alleged rape of a junior high
schoolgirl in Okinawa by a 38-year-old U.S. Marine Corps staff
sergeant is exactly that kind of case. It has rekindled memories of
the 1995 gang rape of a 12-year-old schoolgirl by three U.S.
TOKYO 00000400 005 OF 010
servicemen (also in OkIGQQIG:Wqskf(event a recurrence of similar problems.
However, another rape has occurred. Is this because people had
forgotten about the incident that occurred 13 years ago? If there is
something that is lacking in education, the U.S. military will need
to harshly deal with not only the suspect but also those involved
with the education of servicemen.
An agreement reached at the Japan-U.S. Special Action Committee on
Okinawa (SACO) after the 1995 rape incident included the return to
Okinawa of land now used for the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air
Station, a symbol of Okinawa's burden of hosting U.S. military
bases. But the agreement has not been translated into action as the
construction of the alternative facility for Futenma Air Station has
been delayed.
Tokyo and Washington agreed in May 2006 to complete the construction
of the replacement facility and relocate 8,000 U.S. Marine Corps'
personnel to Guam by 2014. If the agreement is implemented even in
stages, the burden of U.S. military bases carried by Okinawa will be
reduced.
The incident this time could become an obstacle to implementing that
agreement. Okinawa residents regard the construction of the
alternative facility for Futenma Air Station as a new base. Some
argue against relocating the base in Okinawa. It is only natural
that the argument against the relocation plan will be strengthened.
The U.S. government, however, considers the relocation of Marine
Corps' personnel from Okinawa to Guam and the construction of the
replacement facility for Futenma Air Station as requisites for the
realignment of U.S. forces in Japan. If the construction of the
replacement facility is delayed, the relocation of U.S. Marines to
Guam will also be delayed. As a result, Okinawa will continue to
shoulder the current burden of U.S. military bases as is.
What is important for the Japanese and U.S. governments are: 1) to
vow to come up with preventive measures that are convincing and
provide relief to the residents of Okinawa; 2) to implement the
measures; and 3) to make it specifically understood that the
implementation of the Japan-U.S. agreement would reduce Okinawa's
TOKYO 00000400 006 OF 010
burden. If the recent rape incident thwarts the implementation of
the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, the timetable for Okinawa's
burden to be lightened will be delayed.
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda should immediately go to Okinawa.
(5) Aso approaching DPJ with eye on becoming prime minister after
Fukuda
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full)
February 13, 2008
Hiroshi Shinkai
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) former Secretary General
Taro Aso has been approaching the major opposition Democratic Party
of Japan (DPJ). Aso, who thinks highly of himself as a most likely
successor to Prime Minister Fukuda, appears to be making
preparations to deal with the lopsided Diet, in which the ruling
bloc controls the Lower House and the Upper House is under the
opposition's control.
On Feb. 5, Aso held a preparatory meeting for the supraparty
Federation of Diet Members for Promoting e-Local Government. Aso is
expected to assume the post of chair of the group with DPJ Secretary
General Yukio Hatoyama expected to assume the post of deputy chair.
On Feb. 9, Aso delivered a speech on pension policy, in which he
suggested shifting from the current system to finance basic pension
from collected premiums to a system to finance basic pension
entirely from tax revenue. The DPJ, too, has proposed the same
system as Aso's
Some analyze Aso's move as wooing the DPJ, but Aso laughs off such
analysis, saying, "They are off the point." But one LDP lawmaker who
is involved in that federation frankly revealed that the purpose of
establishing it is to build a good relationship with the DPJ. The
lawmaker said, "It is better for Aso to have various kinds of
personal networks with various groups, given the divided Diet." Aso,
due to his strong conservative nature, has not until now established
good relations with the DPJ. But with an eye on the next LDP
presidential election, Aso has now judged it is better to overcome
as many weak points he has as possible.
In the LDP, however, some frown on Aso's move with one senior member
saying, "It's outrageous for him to behave as he does now at a time
when the LDP is having a showdown with the DPJ." Even in his
faction, a mid-level lawmaker expressed concern about Aso's move to
hurriedly build a relationship with the DPJ, noting, "He needs to
sort out whom he should contact."
(6) LDP eager to enact permanent law, while New Komeito and DPJ less
enthusiastic
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Abridged slightly)
February 14, 2008
The Liberal Democratic Party's taskforce on a permanent law
governing the overseas dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces held its
inaugural meeting at party headquarters yesterday. In the session,
the chair, former LDP Vice President Taku Yamasaki, revealed a plan
to submit a bill to the current Diet session for deliberations with
the aim of enacting a permanent law at an early time. Meanwhile, the
TOKYO 00000400 007 OF 010
LDP's coalition partner, New Komeito, is reluctant to enact such
legislation, and the major opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ
or Minshuto) is also taking a wait-and-see attitude, despite the
LDP's expectations for its cooperation. The LDP's eagerness for
enacting the bill stands out alone.
At the meeting, Yamasaki underlined the need for an early enactment
of a permanent law, saying: "Unless a permanent law is enacted,
Japan might not be able to deal with some situations."
Yamasaki's eagerness for speedy legislation is attributable to the
fact that the current Antiterrorism Special Measures Law, the legal
basis for the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling operation in
the Indian Ocean, expires in January 2009.
The LDP's thinking is that in order to avoid the MSDF's refueling
mission being suspended for the second time under the divided Diet
in which the opposition bloc controls the House of Councillors, the
country needs a legal system allowing the government to dispatch the
SDF on overseas missions as necessary.
The envisaged permanent law must be enacted during the next
extraordinary Diet session in the fall before the Antiterrorism
Special Measures Law expires in January. Given slim chances for
sufficient deliberation time in the extra Diet, a bill must be
submitted during the current session for discussion to some extent.
The LDP sounded out the New Komeito on establishing a joint project
team as early as Feb. 27. The New Komeito, which has discussed the
matter at a pace of once or twice a week since January, is likely to
respond to the LDP's call for beginning discussions in the ruling
camp.
Discussions on a permanent law will inevitably escalate into debates
on new options, including making changes to the constitutional
interpretation in order to, for instance, expand the scope of cases
in which the dispatched SDF personnel are allowed to use weapons.
For this reason, the New Komeito is cautious about enacting a
permanent law at an early date.
The LDP, which wants to obtain the DPJ's cooperation starting with
discussions on the envisaged permanent law, is paying close
attention to moves by the largest opposition party, which has many
lawmakers with positive views about enacting permanent legislation.
LDP member and former Defense Agency chief Gen Nakatani on the phone
yesterday proposed to DPJ shadow cabinet foreign minister Yoshio
Hachiro that the two parties discuss a permanent law. Hachiro
declined the proposal, saying: "We will not discuss it at this point
when the ruling bloc's view is not clear."
The situation is that the DPJ, having opposed the refueling
operation all along under the antiterrorism law, cannot easily begin
talks with the LDP, which eyes permanent legislation for continuing
the refueling operation.
(7) Ishiba's vision to integrate MOD and SDF personnel and unify
three staff offices into one creates stir
ASAHI (Page 4) (Abridged slightly)
February 13, 2008
TOKYO 00000400 008 OF 010
Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba's organizational restructuring
vision to integrate the non-uniformed officers at the Ministry of
Defense (internal bureaus) and uniformed personnel (Self-Defense
Forces) is creating a stir. MOD bureaucrats worry about losing their
predominance, while SDF officers fear that the integration will
leave seeds of conflicts between the Ground, Maritime, and Air
Self-Defense Forces. Ishiba plans to launch later this month a
project team composed of MOD bureaucrats and SDF officers to push
ahead with the realignment.
At a meeting of the council to reform MOD under the leadership of
the Prime Minister's Office (Kantei), Ishiba proposed integrating
the internal bureaus and SDF into three departments each responsible
for (1) building up defense capabilities, (2) employment, and (3)
accountability for the Diet and the general public. Ishiba
underlined the need to review the system in which non-uniformed
officers have been allowed to take the leadership in determining
budgets and decision-making.
MOD bureaucrats' predominance goes back to 1950 when Home Ministry
bureaucrats were allowed to play a central role in establishing the
National Police Reserve (predecessor of the SDF) under the current
Constitution from bitter lessons learned from the military's bloated
power in the prewar period.
The Defense Agency and SDF were established in 1954. Since then,
non-uniformed officers have been responsible for assisting the
defense chief. The unwritten rule of not appointing SDF officers as
senior MOD officials is still alive today.
Ishiba's vision comes from this view: Civilian control is a system
in which elected civilian politicians control the SDF organization,
including non-uniformed and uniformed officers; it is different from
non-uniformed officers' predominance.
MOD officials are alarmed at the Ishiba vision, as seen in one
official's comment: "If uniformed officers' authority is
strengthened, the trend would become stronger that amateur,
non-uniformed officers should not meddle in troop operations."
Ishiba also envisages integrating the Ground, Maritime, and Air
Staff Offices into one, along with the internal bureaus.
A senior MOD official took this view about Ishiba's plan: "If one
individual monopolizes the authority of the chiefs of the three
forces, he would not be able to make appropriate decisions because
he does not have know-how on matters concerning other forces. Troop
morale might also decline depending on which one of the three forces
becomes the top officer."
For the integrated operations of the Ground, Maritime and Air
Self-Defense Forces, each force is shifting their operational
functions to the Joint Staff, launched in 2006. A Liberal Democratic
Party lawmaker with ties to defense interests said coldly: "(The
defense minister) should consider integrated operations of the three
forces ahead of organizational restructuring."
(8) What is Fukuda administration's environmental diplomacy? (Part
1): Environmental policy in view of relations with NGOs
ASAHI (Page 17) (Abridged)
February 7, 2008
TOKYO 00000400 009 OF 010
The Asahi Shimbun held a fifth panel discussion of its "Council to
Discuss Asahi Shimbun's News Reports" at its head office in Tokyo on
Jan. 28. The main theme of the discussion was the Asahi's "news
reports on Japanese diplomacy and international issues." The way the
daily deals with the environmental issues was also discussed.
Moderator: Katsuji Yoshida, chief of the Secretariat at the Council
to Discuss Asahi Shimbun's News Reports
-- In coming May, Japan will host the Tokyo International Conference
on African Development (TICAD) in Yokohama City and after that, the
Group of Eight Summit in Lake Toya, Hokkaido in July (G8 Toyako
Summit). With those diplomatic events lying ahead, how do you rate
the Asahi's news reports on Japan's diplomatic agenda?
Michiya Kumaoka, member of the council: At an annual meeting in
January of the World Economic Conference in Davos, Switzerland,
Prime Minister Fukuda demonstrated his determination to lead the
work of setting new country-selective greenhouse gas emission
reduction targets to be applied to years beyond 2013. But this
daily's "Jiji Kokkoku" (Hot topic) column dated Jan. 27 gave the
impression that Fukuda did so out of his political judgment that a
success of the G8 Toyako Summit could give a boost to his
administration.
I want the Asahi to delve more into how the prime minister will lead
the work of setting country-selective emission reduction targets,
which he proposed despite opposition from business leaders and the
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) at home.
The Asahi also reported that the major opposition Democratic Party
of Japan (DPJ) is trying to work together with environment-oriented
nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in policy-making. When it comes
to NGOs' and civic groups' participation in policy-planning or
policy-making, Japan is said to be behind the United States and
European countries, but various groups, stimulated by the upcoming
G8 Toyako Summit, are sponsoring forums, working on the government,
the ruling and opposition parties and other strata of the society,
and increasing their influence. I think the Asahi needs to report on
their moves, as well.
On the environmental issues, "Eco wars," a New Year's series, was a
good project. What was most impressive in the series was that the
Darfur conflict in Sudan, Africa, was analyzed in the context of not
only ethnic and religious disputes but also the deteriorating
environment and the spread of desertification. As the causes of the
conflict, the article pointed out that the conflict is a struggle
for leadership over who will manage natural resources against the
backdrop of the destruction of nature.
A scramble for natural resources has two aspects: (1) one is related
to resources, such as rare metals and oil and (2) the other is more
fundamental and is related to basic resources like soil, water
sources, fishing grounds, and forestry. I expect the Asahi to carry
news reports in light of these two aspects.
When it comes to Africa, we Japanese tend to have a gloomy image of
the continent as filled with conflicts and poverty. Indeed,
conflicts and poverty exist there, but there are people and regions
that have overcome such difficulties and established a vibrant
community. The Asahi dealt with those aspects of Africa in its
TOKYO 00000400 010 OF 010
series "Changing Africa."
Japan has trimmed its official development assistance 40 PERCENT
for the past decade. I expect the Asahi to report on the
effectiveness of and adequacy for Japan's aid policy and ODA,
including other countries' evaluation of Japan's aid policy and
ODA.
Hayami Ichikawa, editor on foreign and international affairs: We
have decided to focus our reporting in the area of diplomacy on (1)
Japan-China relations, (2) the United States and Aria, (3) the North
Korea issues, (4) each country's ulterior motives as to the
environment, and (5) Africa, and (6) development and international
cooperation. Of these, we will attach importance especially to the
environment and Africa.
When we write news reports on the African issues, we try to somehow
link them to Japan or the Japanese society, for we want to
familiarize our readership with Africa.
Seiki Nemoto, editor for political affairs: The Fukuda
administration's environmental diplomacy has been affected by
political judgment as you pointed out. The government and the ruling
bloc are wavering in their discussions. Prime Minister Fukuda
mentioned he will set country-selective greenhouse emission
reduction targets, but a tug of war is likely to continue between
Fukuda and groups opposing his proposal.
Michiya Kumaoka: is director of the Japan International Volunteer
Center (JIVC) and former president of the JIVC; born in 1947 and
advisor to the Japan office of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees and guest professor at the University of Tokyo Graduate
School.
SCHIEFFER
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