INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Pakistan

Published: Wed 20 Aug 2008 01:44 AM
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P 200144Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
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RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
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RHMFIUU/USFJ PRIORITY
INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 9474
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RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 4981
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RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1309
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UNCLAS TOKYO 002290
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
1. LEAD STORIES: Front-page items on Wednesday morning included a
NATO foreign ministerial on Tuesday, during which members expressed
concern about Russia's continued military operations in Georgia.
2. "First Step Toward Democracy" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun
editorialized (8/20): "Pakistani President Musharraf has resigned.
The U.S. might need to review its strategy for the war on terrorism.
We hope that this political turmoil will not expand instability in
Asia but instead will create momentum for Pakistan to make an
initial step toward democracy."
3. "No Retreat from War on Terrorism" The conservative Sankei ran an
editorial stating (8/20): "...It is worrisome that the resignation
of Musharraf, who had taken a pro-U.S. policy and wielded strong
power in the war on terrorism since 9/11, could affect the
antiterrorism campaign of the international community.... Following
the resignation of the president of Pakistan, which has been on the
frontline in the war on terrorism, the international community needs
to review its strategy in the antiterrorism campaign and unite its
collective power again.... Pakistan is the only Muslim nuclear
power. Political instability could cause anxiety about its control
of its nuclear arms. The transfer of nuclear weapons to terrorists
is something that should be prevented by any means necessary."
SCHIEFFER
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