Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Armenian Genocide

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P 170547Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8636
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RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
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INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 3778
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 6188
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 2684
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 4483
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 7442
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RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1927
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RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 6460
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UNCLAS TOKYO 004846

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 - ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
RESOLUTION

LEAD STORIES: Top stories this morning included the
planned cabinet approval on Wednesday of draft
legislation to extend Japan's refueling operation in
the Indian Ocean.

"Armenian Resolution to Harm Alliance with Turkey" The
economic-oriented Nikkei editorialized (10/17): "The
Foreign Affairs Committee of the US House of
Representatives approved a resolution condemning the
massacre of Armenians during World War I by Ottoman
Turks. Turkey has lodged a strong protest and recalled
its ambassador to the US in defiance of the
resolution.... The Bush administration had opposed the
resolution in the belief that it would undermine
America's alliance with Turkey, a strategically
important member of NATO. Former secretaries of state
have also called on House members to exercise caution.
We have to say that the move by the House could lead to
an unnecessary confrontation with Turkey, and that the
House appears to be ignoring the international
implications of the resolution.... The Bush
administration is urging the full House to put off a
vote on the motion.... The wisdom of Congress will be
tested."

SCHIEFFER

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