Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Airline Bombing Attempt

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P 300532Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
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UNCLAS TOKYO 002942

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 - AIRLINE BOMBING ATTEMPT

1. LEAD STORIES: Most papers on Wednesday morning front-
paged Prime Minister Hatoyama's meeting on Tuesday with
Indian Prime Minister Singh.

2. "U.S. Concern That Yemen Could Become New
Battlefield" The liberal Asahi wrote from Washington
(12/30): "Concerning the recent failed attempt to blow
up an American airliner, President Obama reiterated on
December 28 his position to combat the threat of
terrorism. He avoided making any judgment, though, on
whether al-Qaeda was involved in the bombing attempt.
Calls have emerged in the U.S. to launch a full-fledged
anti-terrorism operation in Yemen, where a group
related to al-Qaeda is based. However, it will be
difficult for the Obama administration, which is
fighting two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, to expand
its battlefield."

ROOS

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