VZCZCXRO9170
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #1387 1420211
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 210211Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4424
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA PRIORITY
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI//N541// PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA// PRIORITY
RUHBANB/OKINAWA FLD OFC US FORCES JAPAN CP BUTLER JA PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/USFJ PRIORITY
INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 7920
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 0302
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 6232
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 8511
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 1601
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 3465
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 2308
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 9466
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 9923
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS TOKYO 001387
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 - CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS
1. LEAD STORIES: Lead items on Wednesday morning
included earnings reports compiled by Japan's top banks
pointing to a loss of more than 900 billion yen in
connection with the U.S. subprime loan crisis.
2. "Maintaining Status-Quo Is Wise Choice" On the
inauguration of Taiwan President Ma, the liberal Asahi
editorialized (5/21): "In his inauguration address
yesterday, Taiwan President Ma emphasized his policy of
maintaining the status-quo vis-`-vis China by saying
that he would adopt the principle of no unification, no
independence, and on use of force. He apparently hoped
to make this stance very clear.... Ensuring stable
cross-strait relations would bring positive effects on
the U.S., Japan, and other neighboring countries. We
want China and Taiwan to become ambitious in easing
military tensions through enhanced dialogue."
3. "President Ma Should Call on China to Adopt
Democracy" The business-oriented Nikkei insisted
(5/21): "Taiwanese President Ma expressed his strong
resolve to seize the 'historic momentum' for resuming
dialogue with China, which has been suspended since
1999. This call should be taken positively, as it would
help stabilize the relationship between Beijing and
Taipei.... With Taiwan having adopted a direct election
for its president in 1996, democracy appears to have
been taking root there. President Ma is called upon to
press China to democratize itself from the viewpoint of
protecting human rights."
4. "New President Must Make Utmost Efforts to Ensure
Peaceful Cross-Strait Ties" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun
argued (5/21): "In an attempt to resume dialogue with
China, President Ma is asking Beijing for a 'truce' to
a diplomatic war of courting countries into their
respective camps. It is high time for China to
demonstrate its superpower status to respond positively
to Ma's approach."
SCHIEFFER