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Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Nato Summit

Published: Fri 4 Apr 2008 02:46 AM
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P 040246Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
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RHMFIUU/USFJ PRIORITY
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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 - NATO SUMMIT
1. LEAD STORIES: Several Friday morning papers gave top
coverage to Thursday's arrest of a 22-year-old U.S.
sailor on suspicion of fatally stabbing a taxi driver
in Yokosuka last month.
2. "NATO Eastward Expansion Losing Steam" The top-
circulation, moderate Yomiuri reported from Bucharest
(4/4): "With the official participation of Ukraine and
Georgia in NATO being shelved, the organization's post-
Cold War strategy of expanding eastward appears to be
losing momentum. As Russia under President Putin has
restored its 'great power' status and blocked NATO's
eastward expansion for the first time, NATO is likely
to be forced to review its strategy toward Moscow....
The U.S. and European countries have been forcing their
sphere of influence eastward while discounting Russia's
opposition with the goal of embracing the former Soviet
republics. However, they miscalculated by not being
able to predict the revival of a strong Russia, which
was possible due to a surge in the prices of natural
resources.... The confrontation of the Cold War days is
not an option. Working-level cooperation between NATO
and Russia, such as joint patrols in the Mediterranean,
has been in place since 2001 in line with the war on
terrorism and the prevention of WMD proliferation. NATO
is likely to explore a new approach toward Moscow using
these accomplishments as a starting basis."
3. "Cooperation for Afghan Stability Not in the Offing"
A correspondent for the liberal Asahi wrote from
Bucharest (4/4): "In view of the announced commitment
by France and others to deploy additional troops in
Afghanistan, NATO on the surface was able to
demonstrate its unity in enhancing security maintenance
operations there. However, as it has failed to come up
with concrete measures for stabilizing Afghanistan,
disarray apparently remains within the organization."
4. "U.S. Grip on NATO Eroding" A Washington-based
reporter for the liberal Asahi asserted in a piece from
Bucharest (4/4): "NATO's decision to put off membership
for Ukraine and Georgia is a setback for President
Bush, given that he made his support for their
accession clear during his recent visit to Ukraine....
The U.S. has been consistent in using NATO as a venue
for ensuring security in Europe and for exercising
leadership based on its military power. The U.S. grip
on NATO is now beginning to wane."
SCHIEFFER
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