Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Taiwan

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DE RUEHKO #3147 3180217
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P 130217Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8812
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INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 0981
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 4768
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 6397
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UNCLAS TOKYO 003147

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 - TAIWAN

1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Thursday morning
included plans by Prime Minister Aso to pledge at the
upcoming G20 summit Japan's contribution of up to 10
trillion yen to the IMF in order to shore up its
emergency loan program for emerging economies.

2. "Split in Taiwan Should Be Avoided" The liberal
Tokyo Shimbun editorialized (11/13): "Former Taiwanese
President Chen Shui-bian was arrested on Wednesday on
bribery and other charges. He maintains his innocence
and described the move as political persecution. The
arrest of Chen, who still has many supporters, runs the
risk of dividing Taiwanese society.... Chen has many
fervent supporters, especially in the southern part of
Taiwan, where calls for independence are strong. His
arrest could escalate tensions in Taiwanese society,
and instability there could provoke hardliners in
China. Legal authorities must handle the case fairly.
The current administration should not use the incident
for political purposes."

SCHIEFFER

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