Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - U.S.-Pakistan Relations

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FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
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UNCLAS TOKYO 003012

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 - U.S.-PAKISTAN RELATIONS
AND THE GLOBAL ECONOMY

1. LEAD STORIES: Lead stories on Wednesday morning
included the likelihood that the Bank of Japan will
shortly release a report projecting 0 percent growth in
fiscal 2008.

2. "U.S. Cross-Border Missile Strikes Creating Schism
over War on Terrorism" On repeated U.S. cross-border
missile strikes on al-Qaeda operatives in Pakistan, a
correspondent for the liberal Asahi reported from
Islamabad (10/29): "As the U.S. military attacks have
inflicted damage on anti-Taliban tribes that are
supported by the Pakistani government, the relationship
of cooperation between Islamabad and these tribes may
be affected. Given that the U.S. has refused to provide
additional aid to Pakistan, which has been hard hit by
the global economic crisis, there is concern that the
government might not be able to keep anti-American
sentiment in check.... With Democratic presidential
candidate Sen. Obama also calling for stepping up the
war on terrorism, including cross-border sorties in the
tribal areas, a dark cloud is hanging over
U.S.-Pakistan relations."

3. "Geopolitical Risk and IMF Assistance" The business-
oriented Nikkei editorialized (10/29): "The IMF struck
a provisional deal with Ukraine to provide it with up
to $16.5 billion in emergency loans. The international
organization has also entered negotiations with
Pakistan over similar lending. Special consideration is
necessary for these two countries, as geopolitical risk
will rise further if the political instability of these
nations is compounded by the financial crisis.... While
Pakistan has asked China and Saudi Arabia to provide
assistance, the balance of power in the region could be
upset if aid for Pakistan is mainly provided by such
countries. It is a matter of course for the IMF, which
consists of a large number of states, to play the
leading role in helping Pakistan."

4. "'Western Approach' Has Collapsed" In a front-page
commentary, the business-oriented Nikkei wrote (10/29):
"The IMF is still viewed as a benefactor for countries
overwhelmed by the financial crisis. However, it has
stopped being a 'tough-minded teacher' eager to
prescribe Western-style fiscal reconstruction and
democratization."

SCHIEFFER

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