Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287
Articles
Brazil
Sri Lanka
United Kingdom
Sweden
00. Editorial
United States
Latin America
Egypt
Jordan
Yemen
Thailand
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
2011/05/25
2011/05/26
2011/05/27
2011/05/28
2011/05/29
2011/05/30
2011/05/31
2011/06/01
2011/06/02
2011/06/03
2011/06/04
2011/06/05
2011/06/06
2011/06/07
2011/06/08
2011/06/09
2011/06/10
2011/06/11
2011/06/12
2011/06/13
2011/06/14
2011/06/15
2011/06/16
2011/06/17
2011/06/18
2011/06/19
2011/06/20
2011/06/21
2011/06/22
2011/06/23
2011/06/24
2011/06/25
2011/06/26
2011/06/27
2011/06/28
2011/06/29
2011/06/30
2011/07/01
2011/07/02
2011/07/04
2011/07/05
2011/07/06
2011/07/07
2011/07/08
2011/07/10
2011/07/11
2011/07/12
2011/07/13
2011/07/14
2011/07/15
2011/07/16
2011/07/17
2011/07/18
2011/07/19
2011/07/20
2011/07/21
2011/07/22
2011/07/23
2011/07/25
2011/07/27
2011/07/28
2011/07/29
2011/07/31
2011/08/01
2011/08/02
2011/08/03
2011/08/05
2011/08/06
2011/08/07
2011/08/08
2011/08/10
2011/08/11
2011/08/12
2011/08/13
2011/08/15
2011/08/16
2011/08/17
2011/08/19
2011/08/21
2011/08/22
2011/08/23
2011/08/24
2011/08/25
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Antananarivo
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Alexandria
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embasy Bonn
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Brazzaville
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangui
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Belfast
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Cotonou
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chiang Mai
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Chengdu
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
DIR FSINFATC
Consulate Dusseldorf
Consulate Durban
Consulate Dubai
Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Guatemala
Embassy Grenada
Embassy Georgetown
Embassy Gaborone
Consulate Guayaquil
Consulate Guangzhou
Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Hong Kong
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kolonia
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Krakow
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Consulate Kaduna
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Lusaka
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Lome
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy Libreville
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Leipzig
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Mission Geneva
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Mogadishu
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maseru
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Merida
Consulate Melbourne
Consulate Matamoros
Consulate Marseille
Embassy Nouakchott
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Nuevo Laredo
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Consulate Nagoya
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Praia
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Moresby
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Podgorica
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Ponta Delgada
Consulate Peshawar
REO Mosul
REO Kirkuk
REO Hillah
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Surabaya
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy Tirana
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
Consulate Thessaloniki
USUN New York
USMISSION USTR GENEVA
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Mission CD Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
US Delegation FEST TWO
UNVIE
UN Rome
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vientiane
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AF
ADANA
ASEC
AFIN
AMGT
AE
AORC
AID
AR
AO
AU
ASEAN
AGOA
AFGHANISTAN
AFFAIRS
AMED
APER
ASECARP
APEC
AEMR
AS
AA
ANET
AFLU
ABLD
AL
ASUP
AJ
APECO
AMER
ABUD
AODE
AM
AFSN
AESC
AND
AG
ALOW
AROC
AVIANFLU
ATRN
ACOA
AEGR
AMGMT
AADP
AFSI
ACABQ
APRM
AZ
AIDS
ASE
AGAO
ADCO
ABDALLAH
ARF
AIDAC
ACOTA
ASCH
AC
ASEG
AGR
ACS
AMCHAMS
AN
AMIA
ASIG
ADPM
ADB
ANARCHISTS
ALOWAR
ARM
AUC
AINF
AINT
AORG
AY
AVIAN
AMEDCASCKFLO
AK
ARSO
ARABBL
ASO
ANTITERRORISM
ARABL
AOWC
AGRICULTURE
ALJAZEERA
AMTC
AFINM
AOCR
ABER
ARR
AFPK
ASSEMBLY
ASSK
AZE
AORCYM
AINR
AGMT
AEC
ACKM
APRC
AIN
ASCC
AFPREL
ASED
APERTH
ASFC
ASECTH
AFSA
AOMS
AORCO
ANTXON
ARC
AFAF
ADIP
AIAG
AFARI
AEMED
AORL
AX
ASECAF
AOPC
ASECAFIN
AFZAL
APCS
AMB
AGUIRRE
AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL
AIT
ARCH
AMEX
ALI
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AORCD
AVIATION
ARAS
AINFCY
ACBAQ
AOPR
AREP
ALEXANDER
ATRD
AEIR
AOIC
ABLDG
ASEX
AFR
ASCE
ATRA
ASEK
AER
ALOUNI
AMCT
AVERY
APR
AMAT
AEMRS
ASPA
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ALL
AECL
ACAO
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORD
AFL
AME
ADM
ASECPHUM
AGIT
ABT
ASECVE
AGUILAR
AT
ABMC
ALZUGUREN
ANGEL
ASR
ANTONIO
BMGT
BEXP
BM
BG
BL
BA
BR
BTA
BO
BY
BBSR
BLUE
BK
BF
BTIO
BELLVIEW
BE
BU
BN
BH
BD
BC
BTC
BILAT
BT
BX
BRUSSELS
BP
BB
BRPA
BUSH
BURMA
BMENA
BESP
BIT
BBG
BGD
BMEAID
BAGHDAD
BEN
BIO
BMOT
BWC
BLUNT
BURNS
BUT
BGMT
BAIO
BCW
BOEHNER
BFIF
BOL
BASHAR
BIMSTEC
BOU
BIDEN
BZ
BFIN
BTRA
BI
BHUM
BOIKO
BERARDUCCI
BOUCHAIB
BORDER
BEXPC
BTIU
BTT
BIOS
BEXB
BGPGOV
BOND
BLR
CE
CG
CH
CVR
CASC
CU
CI
CD
CO
CDG
CB
CJAN
CPAS
COM
CVIS
CMGT
CT
CENTCOM
CNARC
CTERR
COUNTER
CHIEF
CDC
CTR
CBW
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CY
CA
CM
CS
CWC
CN
CITES
CF
CWG
CIVS
CFIS
CASCC
CROATIA
CONS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CASA
COE
CJ
CHR
CODEL
CR
CBC
CACS
CHERTOFF
CAS
CONTROL
CONDITIONS
CONDOLEEZZA
CITEL
CV
CLINTON
CHG
CZ
CON
CTBT
CEN
CRIMES
COMMERCE
CLOK
CRISTINA
CFED
CARC
CND
CTM
CARICOM
COUNTRYCLEARANCE
CBTH
CHINA
CSW
CICTE
CJUS
CYPRUS
CW
CAMBODIA
CENSUS
CIDA
CRIME
CBG
CBE
CMGMT
CAIO
CEC
CARSON
CPCTC
CEDAW
COMESA
CVIA
CWCM
CEA
COSI
CAPC
CGEN
COPUOS
CGOPRC
COETRD
CKGR
CFE
CQ
CITT
CIC
CARIB
CVIC
CLO
CAFTA
CVISU
CHRISTOPHER
CACM
CIAT
CDB
CIS
CUL
CHAO
CNC
CL
CSEP
COMMAND
CENTER
COL
CAN
CAJC
CUIS
CONSULAR
CLMT
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CAC
CROS
CIO
CPUOS
CKOR
CVPR
CONG
CONTROLS
CEPTER
CVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGKIRF
CDCE
DPOL
DEMARCHE
DHS
DR
DA
DISENGAGEMENT
DEMOCRATIC
DEFENSE
DJ
DY
DARFUR
DHRF
DEA
DTRO
DPRK
DO
DARFR
DOC
DRL
DK
DOJ
DTRA
DOMESTIC
DAC
DOD
DEAX
DIEZ
DEOC
DELTAVIOLENCE
DCOM
DMINE
DRC
DCG
DPKO
DOMESTICPOLITICS
DE
DB
DOT
DEPT
DOE
DHLAKAMA
DHSX
DS
DKEM
DAO
DCM
DANIEL
DEM
DAVID
DCRM
ETRD
EAGR
ETTC
EAID
ECON
EFIN
ECIN
EINV
ELAB
EAIR
ENRG
EPET
EWWT
ECPS
EIND
EMIN
ELTN
EC
ETMIN
EUC
EZ
ET
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EU
EUN
EG
EINT
ER
ECONOMICS
ES
EMS
ENIV
EEB
EN
ECE
ECOSOC
EK
ENVIRONMENT
EFIS
EI
EWT
ENGRD
ECPSN
EXIM
EIAD
ERIN
ECPC
EDEV
ENGY
ECTRD
EPA
ESTH
ECCT
EINVECON
ENGR
ERTD
EUR
EAP
EWWC
ELTD
EL
EXIMOPIC
EXTERNAL
ETRDEC
ESCAP
ECO
EGAD
ELNT
ECONOMIC
ENV
ETRN
EIAR
EUMEM
ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID
EREL
ECOM
ECONETRDEAGRJA
ETCC
ETRG
ECONOMY
EMED
ETR
ENERG
EITC
EFINOECD
EURM
EENG
ERA
EXPORT
ENRD
ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC
EGEN
EBRD
EVIN
ETRAD
ECOWAS
EFTA
ECONETRDBESPAR
EGOVSY
EPIN
EID
ECONENRG
EDRC
ESENV
ETT
EB
ENER
ELTNSNAR
ECHEVARRIA
ETRC
EPIT
EDUC
ESA
EFI
ENRGY
ESCI
EE
EAIDXMXAXBXFFR
EETC
ECIP
EIAID
EIVN
EBEXP
ESTN
EING
EGOV
ETRA
EPETEIND
ELAN
ETRDGK
EAIDRW
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EPEC
ENVI
ELN
EAG
EPCS
EPRT
EPTED
ETRB
EUM
EAIDS
EFIC
EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM
EAIDAR
ESF
EIDN
ELAM
EDU
EV
EAIDAF
ECN
EDA
EXBS
EINTECPS
ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ
EPREL
EAC
EINVEFIN
ETA
EAGER
EINDIR
ECA
ECLAC
ELAP
EITI
EUCOM
ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID
EARG
ELDIN
EINVKSCA
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EFINTS
ECCP
ETC
EAIRASECCASCID
EINN
ETRP
EAIDNI
EFQ
ECOQKPKO
EGPHUM
EBUD
ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ
ENERGY
ELB
EINDETRD
EMI
ECONEFIN
EIB
EURN
ETRDEINVTINTCS
EIN
EFIM
ETIO
ELAINE
EMN
EATO
EWTR
EIPR
EINVETC
ETTD
ETDR
EIQ
ECONCS
EPPD
ENRGIZ
EISL
ESPINOSA
ELEC
EAIG
ESLCO
EUREM
ENTG
ERD
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ECINECONCS
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECUN
EFND
EPECO
EAIRECONRP
ERGR
ETRDPGOV
ECPN
ENRGMO
EPWR
EET
EAIS
EAGRE
EDUARDO
EAGRRP
EAIDPHUMPRELUG
EICN
ECONQH
EVN
EGHG
ELBR
EINF
EAIDHO
EENV
ETEX
ERNG
ED
FR
FREEDOM
FINREF
FJ
FI
FRELIMO
FOREIGN
FAA
FETHI
FAS
FTAA
FRB
FAO
FCS
FINANCE
FWS
FTA
FEMA
FDA
FLU
FRANCISCO
FBI
FORCE
FO
FARC
FK
FT
FCSC
FAC
FM
FMGT
FINV
FCSCEG
FARM
FERNANDO
FINR
FIN
FINE
FIR
FDIC
FOR
FOI
FCUL
FKLU
FMLN
FISO
FIXED
GM
GMUS
GG
GR
GE
GAZA
GT
GH
GZ
GJ
GLOBAL
GV
GABY
GOI
GA
GCC
GB
GY
GATT
GC
GUAM
GEORGE
GTIP
GOV
GOMEZ
GUTIERREZ
GL
GKGIC
GF
GU
GWI
GARCIA
GTMO
GN
GANGS
GIPNC
GAERC
GREGG
GUILLERMO
GASPAR
GERARD
GI
HK
HR
HUMANR
HUMAN
HO
HA
HUMANRIGHTS
HU
HHS
HIV
HUM
HRKAWC
HILLEN
HILLARY
HDP
HUMRIT
HSTC
HUMANITARIAN
HCOPIL
HADLEY
HURI
HL
HRETRD
HOURANI
HG
HARRIET
HESHAM
HI
HNCHR
HARRY
HRECON
HRC
HOSTAGES
HEBRON
HUMOR
HSWG
HYMPSK
HECTOR
HN
HYDE
HUD
HRPGOV
HIGHLIGHTS
ID
ILC
IS
IZ
ICAO
IMO
ITU
IR
IAEA
ICRC
IPROP
IT
IBRD
ISRAELI
IRAQI
ISSUES
ITRA
IV
IO
IGAD
IRAQ
IN
IMF
ICTR
ISCON
IADB
IDB
IEA
INR
IWC
ICCAT
ILO
INMARSAT
IOM
ICJ
IQ
ISPA
ITRD
IPR
INTELSAT
ISN
IAHRC
INTERNAL
IFAD
IICA
IHO
IRAN
IL
IRCE
IC
INTELLECTUAL
IRM
IE
ICTY
IDLI
IFO
ISCA
INF
INL
ISRAEL
INV
IBB
INFLUENZA
ISPL
ITER
ITIA
INRA
ISAF
IACHR
INTERPOL
IFR
IRS
INRB
IEF
ISAAC
ICC
INDO
IIP
IATTC
INAUGURATION
IND
INS
IZPREL
IACI
IEFIN
INNP
ILAB
IA
IMTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
IFIN
IRAJ
IX
ICG
IF
ITPHUM
ITA
IP
IACW
IK
IUCN
IZEAID
IRPE
IDA
ISLAMISTS
ITF
INRO
IBET
IDP
IRC
ISO
ICES
IRMO
ITPGOV
IQNV
IMSO
IRDB
IMET
INCB
IFRC
JA
JO
JP
JM
JCIC
JOHN
JE
JEFFERY
JS
JUS
JN
JOHNNIE
JAMES
JKUS
JOSEPH
JML
JAWAD
JSRP
JIMENEZ
JOSE
JKJUS
JK
JAPAN
KMDR
KPAO
KPKO
KJUS
KCRM
KGHG
KFRD
KWMN
KDEM
KTFN
KHIV
KGIC
KIDE
KSCA
KNNP
KHUM
KIPR
KSUM
KISL
KIRF
KCOR
KRCM
KPAL
KWBG
KN
KS
KOMC
KSEP
KFLU
KPWR
KTIA
KSEO
KMPI
KHLS
KICC
KSTH
KMCA
KVPR
KPRM
KE
KU
KZ
KFLO
KSAF
KTIP
KTEX
KBCT
KOCI
KOLY
KOR
KAWC
KACT
KUNR
KTDB
KSTC
KLIG
KSKN
KNN
KCFE
KCIP
KGHA
KHDP
KPOW
KUNC
KDRL
KV
KPREL
KCRS
KPOL
KRVC
KRIM
KGIT
KWIR
KT
KIRC
KOMO
KRFD
KUWAIT
KG
KFIN
KSCI
KTFIN
KFTN
KGOV
KPRV
KSAC
KGIV
KCRIM
KPIR
KSOC
KBIO
KW
KGLB
KMWN
KPO
KFSC
KSEAO
KSTCPL
KSI
KPRP
KREC
KFPC
KUNH
KCSA
KMRS
KNDP
KR
KICCPUR
KPPAO
KCSY
KTBT
KCIS
KNEP
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KNNB
KGCC
KINR
KPOP
KMFO
KENV
KNAR
KVIR
KDRG
KDMR
KFCE
KNAO
KDEN
KGCN
KICA
KIMMITT
KMCC
KLFU
KMSG
KSEC
KUM
KCUL
KMNP
KSMT
KCOM
KOMCSG
KSPR
KPMI
KRAD
KIND
KCRP
KAUST
KWAWC
KTER
KCHG
KRDP
KPAS
KITA
KTSC
KPAOPREL
KWGB
KIRP
KJUST
KMIG
KLAB
KTFR
KSEI
KSTT
KAPO
KSTS
KLSO
KWNN
KPOA
KHSA
KNPP
KPAONZ
KBTS
KWWW
KY
KJRE
KPAOKMDRKE
KCRCM
KSCS
KWMNCI
KESO
KWUN
KPLS
KIIP
KEDEM
KPAOY
KRIF
KGICKS
KREF
KTRD
KFRDSOCIRO
KTAO
KJU
KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW
KEN
KO
KNEI
KEMR
KKIV
KEAI
KWAC
KRCIM
KWCI
KFIU
KWIC
KCORR
KOMS
KNNO
KPAI
KBWG
KTTB
KTBD
KTIALG
KILS
KFEM
KTDM
KESS
KNUC
KPA
KOMCCO
KCEM
KRCS
KWBGSY
KNPPIS
KNNPMNUC
KWN
KERG
KLTN
KALM
KCCP
KSUMPHUM
KREL
KGH
KLIP
KTLA
KAWK
KWMM
KVRP
KVRC
KAID
KSLG
KDEMK
KX
KIF
KNPR
KCFC
KFTFN
KTFM
KPDD
KCERS
KMOC
KDEMAF
KMEPI
KEMS
KDRM
KEPREL
KBTR
KEDU
KNP
KIRL
KNNR
KMPT
KISLPINR
KTPN
KA
KJUSTH
KPIN
KDEV
KTDD
KAKA
KFRP
KWNM
KTSD
KINL
KJUSKUNR
KWWMN
KECF
KWBC
KPRO
KVBL
KOM
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KEDM
KFLD
KLPM
KRGY
KNNF
KICR
KIFR
KM
KWMNCS
KAWS
KLAP
KPAK
KDDG
KCGC
KID
KNSD
KMPF
KPFO
KDP
KCMR
KRMS
KNPT
KNNNP
KTIAPARM
KDTB
KNUP
KPGOV
KNAP
KNNC
KUK
KSRE
KREISLER
KIVP
KQ
KTIAEUN
KPALAOIS
KRM
KISLAO
KWM
KFLOA
LE
LU
LH
LA
LG
LO
LY
LANTERN
LI
LABOR
LORAN
LTTE
LT
LAS
LAB
LAW
LVPR
LARREA
LEBIK
LAURA
LS
LOTT
LOVE
LR
LEON
LAVIN
LGAT
LV
LAOS
LOG
LN
LB
MOPS
MO
MARR
ML
MASS
MZ
MR
MNUC
MX
MV
MCC
MY
MEDIA
MTCRE
MG
MCAP
MOPPS
MP
MI
MK
MC
MD
MA
MU
MASC
MW
MT
MEPP
MN
MTCR
MH
MEPI
MIL
MNUCPTEREZ
MMAR
MICHAEL
MUNC
MDC
MPOS
MONUC
MAR
MGMT
MAS
MEPN
MENDIETA
MARIA
MONTENEGRO
MOOPS
MSG
MARITIME
MURRAY
MUKASEY
MOTO
MCA
MFO
MEX
MRSEC
MMED
MACP
MAAR
MINUSTAH
MCCONNELL
MAPP
MGT
MARQUEZ
MANUEL
MNUR
MCCAIN
MF
MOHAMMAD
MOHAMED
MNU
MFA
MILITANTS
MINORITIES
MTS
MLS
MILI
MIAH
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MED
MARAD
MNVC
MINURSO
MNUCUN
MIK
MARK
MBM
MPP
MILITARY
MAPS
MNUK
MILA
MTRRE
MACEDONIA
MICHEL
MASSMNUC
MUCN
MQADHAFI
MPS
MARRGH
MRCRE
MTRE
MORALES
MAP
MCTRE
MHUC
MOPSGRPARM
MOROCCO
MCAPS
NL
NU
NS
NI
NPT
NATO
NO
NG
NATEU
NSF
NZ
NAS
NP
NDP
NLD
NGO
NEPAD
NAFTA
NASA
NEA
NGUYEN
NIH
NK
NIPP
NONE
NR
NANCY
NEGROPONTE
NRR
NERG
NSSP
NSG
NSFO
NE
NATSIOS
NFSO
NATIONAL
NTDB
NT
NCD
NTSB
NRC
NELSON
NAM
NH
NPG
NEC
NSC
NFATC
NMFS
NATOIRAQ
NAR
NZUS
NARC
NCCC
NA
NC
NEW
NRG
NUIN
NOVO
NATOPREL
NEY
NV
NICHOLAS
NPA
NW
NARCOTICS
NORAD
NOAA
NON
NTTC
NKNNP
NMNUC
NUMBERING
ODIP
OIIP
OPRC
OSCE
OREP
OTRA
OPET
OSCI
OVIP
OECD
OCII
OUALI
OPDC
OEXC
OFPD
OPIC
OFDP
OPCW
OECV
OAS
OM
OMIG
ODAG
OPREP
ORA
OIC
OEXCSCULKPAO
OIG
OASS
OFFICIALS
ORTA
OSAC
OIL
OIE
OEXP
OPEC
OPDAT
OMS
OES
OHI
OMAR
OCRA
OFSO
OCBD
OSTA
OAO
ONA
OTP
ORC
OAU
OXEC
OA
ODPC
OPDP
OVIPPRELUNGANU
OASC
OSHA
OPCD
OTR
OPPI
OPCR
OF
OFDPQIS
OSIC
OHUM
OSTRA
OASCC
OBSP
OFDA
OPICEAGR
OIM
OGAC
OTA
OTRAORP
OPPC
OESC
OCEA
OVP
ON
OPAD
OTAR
OCS
ODC
OTRD
OCED
OSD
ORUE
OREG
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PGOV
PREL
PREF
PL
PM
PHSA
PE
PARM
PINS
PK
PUNE
PO
PALESTINIAN
PU
PBTS
PROP
PTBS
POL
POLI
PA
PGOVZI
POLMIL
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLM
PD
POLITICS
POLICY
PAS
PMIL
PINT
PNAT
PV
PKO
PPOL
PERSONS
PING
PBIO
PH
PETR
PARMS
PRES
PCON
PETERS
PRELBR
PT
PLAB
PP
PAK
PDEM
PKPA
PSOCI
PF
PLO
PTERM
PJUS
PSOE
PELOSI
PROPERTY
PGOVPREL
PARP
PRL
PNIR
PHUMKPAL
PG
PREZ
PGIC
PBOV
PAO
PKK
PROV
PHSAK
PHUMPREL
PROTECTION
PGOVBL
PSI
PRELPK
PGOVENRG
PUM
PRELKPKO
PATTY
PSOC
PRIVATIZATION
PRELSP
PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ
PMIG
PREC
PAIGH
PROG
PSHA
PARK
PETER
POG
PHUS
PPREL
PS
PTERPREL
PRELPGOV
POV
PKPO
PGOVECON
POUS
PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN
PWBG
PMAR
PREM
PAR
PNR
PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO
PARMIR
PGOVGM
PHUH
PARTM
PN
PRE
PTE
PY
POLUN
PPEL
PDOV
PGOVSOCI
PIRF
PGOVPM
PBST
PRELEVU
PGOR
PBTSRU
PRM
PRELKPAOIZ
PGVO
PERL
PGOC
PAGR
PMIN
PHUMR
PVIP
PPD
PGV
PRAM
PINL
PKPAL
PTERE
PGOF
PINO
PHAS
PODC
PRHUM
PHUMA
PREO
PPA
PEPFAR
PGO
PRGOV
PAC
PRESL
PORG
PKFK
PEPR
PRELP
PREFA
PNG
PGOVPHUMKPAO
PRELECON
PINOCHET
PFOR
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PRELC
PREK
PHUME
PHJM
POLINT
PGOVPZ
PGOVKCRM
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PECON
PEACE
PROCESS
PLN
PRELSW
PAHO
PEDRO
PRELA
PASS
PPAO
PGPV
PNUM
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGIV
PRFE
POGOV
PEL
PBT
PAMQ
PINF
PSEPC
POSTS
PHUMPGOV
PVOV
PHSAPREL
PROLIFERATION
PENA
PRELTBIOBA
PIN
PRELL
PGOVPTER
PHAM
PHYTRP
PTEL
PTERPGOV
PHARM
PROTESTS
PRELAF
PKBL
PRELKPAO
PKNP
PARMP
PHUML
PFOV
PERM
PUOS
PRELGOV
PHUMPTER
PARAGRAPH
PERURENA
PBTSEWWT
PCI
PETROL
PINSO
PINSCE
PQL
PEREZ
PBS
RS
REFUGEES
RW
RP
RELFREE
RO
REGIONAL
RIGHTS
REACTION
REPORT
RU
RENAMO
RIGHTSPOLMIL
REFORM
RM
REFUGEE
REL
RELATIONS
ROW
RREL
REGION
RATIFICATION
RBI
RICE
ROOD
RODENAS
RUIZ
RODHAM
ROBERT
RGY
ROY
REUBEN
RELIGIOUS
RUEHZO
RODRIGUEZ
RUEUN
RELAM
RSP
RF
RSO
RCMP
REO
ROSS
RPTS
RENE
REID
RUPREL
RMA
RI
REMON
RPEL
RFE
RFIN
RA
RAFAEL
RAY
RUS
RPREL
ROBERTG
RECIN
RAMONTEIJELO
SNAR
SP
SN
SMIG
SL
SOCI
SU
SG
SF
SENV
SZ
SOE
SCUL
SY
SO
SR
SYR
SE
SA
SW
SIPDIS
SCIENCE
SADC
SI
SCI
SOCIETY
SC
SAARC
STR
SECRETARY
SANC
SSH
ST
SNA
SGWI
SEP
SOCIS
SETTLEMENTS
SPECIALIST
SK
SHUM
START
STET
SCVL
SREF
SCHUL
SCUIL
SYRIA
SECURITY
SPCE
SYAI
SMIL
SOWGC
STEPHEN
SNRV
SKCA
SENSITIVE
SECI
SNAP
SPP
SCUD
SOM
SPECI
SMIGBG
SENC
SCRM
SGNV
SECTOR
SENVEAGREAIDTBIOECONSOCIXR
SENVSXE
SASIAIN
SACU
SENVSPL
SWMN
STEINBERG
SOPN
SOCR
SCOI
SCRS
SILVASANDE
SWE
SARS
SNARIZ
SUDAN
SENVQGR
SM
SNARKTFN
SAAD
SD
SAN
SIPRNET
STATE
SENS
SUBJECT
SFNV
SECSTATE
SSA
SPCVIS
SOI
SOFA
SCULKPAOECONTU
SPTER
SKSAF
SENVKGHG
SHI
SEVN
SANR
SPSTATE
SMITH
SCOM
SH
SNARCS
SNARN
SIPRS
SNARM
SIPDI
SCPR
SNIG
SELAB
SULLIVAN
SENVENV
SECDEF
SOLIC
SOIC
SPAS
SASC
SOSI
SEC
SEN
SENVCASCEAIDID
TU
TH
TW
TSPA
TRGY
TPHY
TBIO
TIFA
TS
TZ
TX
TSPL
TT
TK
TC
TINT
TERFIN
TERRORISM
TIP
TURKEY
TI
TECHNOLOGY
TNGD
TRSY
TRAFFICKING
TOPEC
TPSL
TP
TD
TR
TA
TIO
TREATY
TO
THPY
TECH
TRADE
TPSA
TG
TAGS
TF
TRAD
THKSJA
TVBIO
TNDG
TN
TBIOZK
TWI
TV
TWL
TRT
TWRO
TSRY
TTPGOV
TAUSCHER
TRBY
TRBIO
TL
TPKO
TIA
TGRY
TSPAM
TREL
TNAR
TBI
TFIN
TPHYPA
TWCH
THOMMA
THOMAS
TERROR
TRY
TBID
TPP
TE
THANH
TJ
TBKIO
UNGA
USUN
UN
UG
UNSC
UK
UP
US
UNCTAD
UNVIE
UNHRC
USTR
UNAMA
UNCRIME
UNESCO
UV
UNDP
UNHCR
UNCSD
UNCHR
UZ
USAID
UNEP
UNO
UNPUOS
UY
UNDC
UNCITRAL
UNAUS
UNCND
UA
UNMIK
USTDA
USEU
USDA
UNICEF
UR
UNFICYP
USNC
USTRRP
UNODC
UNRWA
UNOMIG
USTRPS
USAU
USCC
UNEF
UNGAPL
UNFPA
UNSCE
USSC
UGA
UEU
UNMIC
UNTAC
UNION
UNCLASSIFIED
USPS
UNA
UMIK
USOAS
UNMOVIC
UNFA
UNAIDS
UNCHC
USGS
UNSE
UNRCR
UNTERR
USG
UE
UAE
UNWRA
UNCSW
UNSCR
UNCHS
UNDESCO
UNPAR
UNC
UB
UNSCS
UKXG
UNGACG
UNREST
UNHR
USPTO
UNFCYP
USCG
UNIDROIT
UNSCD
UPU
UNBRO
UNECE
USTRUWR
UNCC
UNESCOSCULPRELPHUMKPALCUIRXFVEKV
VM
VE
VT
VETTING
VN
VZ
VIS
VC
VTPREL
VIP
VTEAID
VTEG
VOA
VA
VTIZ
VANG
VISIT
VO
VENZ
VAT
VI
VEPREL
VEN
WFP
WTO
WHO
WTRO
WBG
WMO
WIPO
WA
WI
WSIS
WHA
WCL
WE
WMN
WEBZ
WS
WAR
WZ
WMD
WW
WILLIAM
WEET
WAEMU
WM
WWBG
WWT
WWARD
WITH
WMDT
WTRQ
WCO
WEU
WALTER
WRTO
WB
WHTI
WBEG
WCI
WEF
WAKI
WHOA
WGC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 07TOKYO401, DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 01/29/07
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #07TOKYO401.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07TOKYO401 | 2007-01-30 07:24 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Tokyo |
VZCZCXRO2089
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #0401/01 0300724
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 300724Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0170
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAWJA/USDOJ WASHDC PRIORITY
RULSDMK/USDOT WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5//
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI
RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA//
RHMFIUU/COMUSJAPAN YOKOTA AB JA//J5/JO21//
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA
RUAYJAA/COMPATWING ONE KAMI SEYA JA
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 2167
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 9696
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 3160
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 9152
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 0701
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5632
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 1717
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 3127
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 TOKYO 000401
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR E, P, EB, EAP/J, EAP/P, EAP/PD, PA
WHITE HOUSE/NSC/NEC; JUSTICE FOR STU CHEMTOB IN ANTI-TRUST DIVISION;
TREASURY/OASIA/IMI/JAPAN; DEPT PASS USTR/PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE;
SECDEF FOR JCS-J-5/JAPAN,
DASD/ISA/EAPR/JAPAN; DEPT PASS ELECTRONICALLY TO USDA
FAS/ITP FOR SCHROETER; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR;
CINCPAC FLT/PA/ COMNAVFORJAPAN/PA.
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 01/29/07
INDEX:
(1) Prime Minister Abe to set up a strategic council to counter the
falling birthrate
(2) Prime minister reprimands health minister for his inappropriate
remarks referring to women as "child-bearing machines"
(3) Government to conclude 80% of procurement contracts under
competitive bidding system
(4) Sending civilian policemen to East Timor: MOF positive toward
dispatch, while NPA remains negative; Took five months in deciding
to dispatch two personnel
(5) Weak yen increasingly drawing international criticism: Likely to
become focus of G-7; BOJ might use criticism as excuse for raising
interest rate
(6) Facts about SDF mission in Iraq (Section 1); Thinking of SDF as
Japan's new garrison-SDF in transformation (Part 7): Limits to
GSDF's own resources-Private contractors needed for GSDF's overseas
activities
(7) Commentary: Bush's Iraq war
ARTICLES:
(1) Prime Minister Abe to set up a strategic council to counter the
falling birthrate
ASAHI (Top Play) (Full)
January 28, 2007
In dealing with the declining birthrate, one of the key issues,
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has decided to establish a panel to come
up with comprehensive measures, including ones that would help
revive regional communities and families, and review ways that
people work. The panel, to be called "Strategic Council to Study
Measures to Support Children and Families," will hold its first
meeting in early February and compile a set of basic proposals in
mid-June. The set of proposals will be included in the government's
"big-boned reform policy guidelines for 2007." With an eye on tax
system reform debate, including a consumption tax hike, which will
begin after the House of Councilor election, Abe also plans to
formulate a "priority strategy."
With the decline in the birthrate continuing, and the population of
juveniles expected to drastically drop from 2030, the government has
no choice but to create effective measures to counter the trend. For
this reason, Abe in his policy speech on Jan. 26 stated: "Children
are national treasures. We must make Japan a country in which people
can give birth and bring up children without anxiety. I will set out
a full-scale strategy to reverse the declining birthrate."
Abe has already instructed Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki
to look into the issue on a full scale. He intends to shift from
traditional measures to counter the declining birthrate that mainly
place emphasis on such economic assistance measures as child
allowances and child support. Attaching importance to need for a
balance between work and life, he plans to come up with measures,
including revenue sources, in order to create a system under which
the entire spectrum of society would support families raising
TOKYO 00000401 002 OF 008
children.
The council will be made up of Shiozaki as chair, relevant cabinet
ministers, experts and representatives from the labor and management
organizations. Under the council, four sub-committees will be set
up: 1) basic strategy; 2) reform of the way people work; 3)
revitalization of regional communities and families; and 4)
examination and evaluation. The four panels will discuss specific
solutions.
The basic strategy sub-panel will look into measures for economic
assistance, including revenue sources, such as income compensation
during childcare maternity. The sub-panel on reform of way people
work will propose creating work environment under which people can
work while raising children.
The sub-panel on revitalization of regional communities and families
will look for measures for communities to support children in
difficulty such as being children of single-parents. The sub-panel
on examination and evaluation will reexamine and review the measures
set out by the government and local municipalities.
The new measures to counter the falling birthrate the government
compiled last year included 40 countermeasures such as adding
infants to the category of child allowances. There are no financial
resources allocated, however. Child allowances for infants for new
fiscal year will be covered by surpluses from the special funds for
emergency employment measures as a makeshift effort. Some criticized
the Abe government for failing to draw up a grand design for the
society that should be aimed at.
In order to a comprehensive strategy, which includes how labor law
should be revised and how the way people work should be changed, the
new council to be established will come up with measures that the
whole government will be engaged in carrying out. The cabinet will
adopt big-boned reform policy guidelines that will include measures
to improve the environment for child rearing.
Members of Strategic Council to be set up
Cabinet ministers
Chief cabinet secretary (chairman)
Mister in charge of declining birthrate
Minister in charge of economic and fiscal policy
Internal affairs and communications minister
Finance minister
Education minister
Health, labor and welfare minister
Economy, trade and industry minister
Land, infrastructure and transport minister
Experts
Hiroshi Yoshikawa, profess of graduate school at University of
Tokyo, who will head sub-panel on basic strategy
Yoshio Higuchi, professor at Keio University, who will head
sub-panel on reform of ways people work
Katsuyoshi Iwabuchi, professor at Tohoku Fukushi University, who
will head sub-panel on revitalization of regional communities and
families
Hiroki Sato, professor at University of Tokyo, who will head
sub-panel on examination and evaluation.
Representatives from labor and management sectors
TOKYO 00000401 003 OF 008
Morio Ikeda, Japan Business Federation's Committee on Falling
Birthrate
Nobuaki Koga, chief of secretariat of Japan Trade Unions
Confederation
Representative of local communities
Keiko Kiyohara, mayor of the city of Mitaka, Tokyo
(2) Prime minister reprimands health minister for his inappropriate
remarks referring to women as "child-bearing machines"
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full)
Eve., January 29, 2007
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe this morning gave a strong warning to
Health Minister Hakuo Yanagisawa, who in a recent speech had
referred to women as "child-bearing machines or devices," telling
him: "You must be careful enough not to make a similar inappropriate
remark in the future." This was revealed by Chief Cabinet Secretary
Yasuhisa Shiozaki during a press briefing earlier in the day.
According to Shiozaki, Yanagisawa telephoned Abe and Shiozaki this
morning and explained why he had made such remarks and apologized to
them.
At the press briefing, Shiozaki brushed aside the possibility of
Yanagisawa being driven to step down from his post for his
inappropriate remarks, saying to reporters: "I think his remarks
were inappropriate, but he was quick to correct them. It is
important for Mr. Yanagisawa to work as a key member of the Council
on Strategic Approaches to Deal with the Falling Birthrate to
produce results."
Prior to that, Yanagisawa this morning stressed to reporters in
Tokyo that he had already retracted his remarks, saying: "I'd like
to explain my true intentions through Diet deliberations."
On the other hand, like-minded female lawmakers of three opposition
parties -- the Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto or DPJ), the
Japanese Communist Party, and the Social Democratic Party -- this
morning decided to call on Yanagisawa to resign as health minister.
Minshuto Diet Policy Committee Chairman Yoshiaki Takagi at a press
conference indicated that he would harshly pursue him at the Lower
House Budget Committee and other committees, by noting: "This person
is also a member of the Abe cabinet. The remarks he made were
disgraceful, indeed."
(3) Government to conclude 80% of procurement contracts under
competitive bidding system
NIHON KEIZAI (Page 1) (Full)
January 27, 2007
The government decided yesterday to shift about 60% of its
non-competitive contracts (zuii-keiyaku) to be concluded by
government agencies for purchasing goods or ordering public works
projects to a competitive contract formula, such as the open
competitive bidding system. Such contracts amount to approximately
2.1 trillion yen. The transfer process will start this fiscal year
and be completed within FY2007. Of all the contracts to be concluded
by the government, about 80% will be concluded based on a
competitive bidding formula. Reflecting on the recent series of
bid-rigging cases at the initiative of government offices, it is
TOKYO 00000401 004 OF 008
imperative to reduce the government's procurement costs. In
addition, it is also necessary to make the contents of contracts
more transparent by thoroughly disclosing information on government
contracts.
With the aim of preventing complicated procedures, many government
agencies have placed orders with the same entities year after year
in renting copying machines or entrusting research to private firms,
instead of using a competitive bidding formula. Many anticipate that
the planned introduction of competitive bidding formulas would
reduce government agencies' purchase costs by about 10%.
The value of contracts based on non-competitive formulas in FY2005
totaled approximately 3.4 trillion yen. The government has judged it
possible to adopt competitive contracts for about 1.4 trillion yen
worth of contracts with government-affiliated organizations and for
about 700 billion yen worth of contracts with private firms. The
remaining contracts worth of approximately 1.3 trillion yen are for
defense equipment and other products whose supply sources are
limited, so the current non-competitive contract system for such is
likely to be continued.
As for 7.3 trillion yen worth of contracts for goods procured by the
government in FY2005, an estimated 6 trillion yen worth of contracts
will be shifted to a competitive formula, with 3.4 trillion yen
worth of those set for competitive bidding and about 500 billion yen
worth of those set for non-competitive contracts.
The government intends to put the contents of all contracts each
government agency concluded on their websites. If government
agencies opt for non-competitive contracts, they will have to list
the reasons.
(4) Sending civilian policemen to East Timor: MOF positive toward
dispatch, while NPA remains negative; Took five months in deciding
to dispatch two personnel
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full)
January 28, 2007
Two civilian policemen to be dispatched to the United Nations
Integrated Mission in Timor (UNMIT), which is in charge of
maintaining security in East Timor, will leave Japan on Jan. 31.
However, there is a gap in the views of government officials on the
matter with the Foreign Ministry (MOF) hoping to accumulating track
record of the dispatch of personnel to UN peace-keeping operations
(PKO) with the aim of gaining a permanent seat at the UN Security
Council (UNSC), and the National Police Agency (NPA) cautious about
dispatching its personnel with its personnel dispatched to Cambodia
in the past killed. Prospects for the dispatch of civilian policemen
abroad after a hiatus of eight years contributing to expanded
personnel contribution are not favorable.
This will be the third dispatch of NPA personnel, following the
dispatch of one personnel to Cambodia from 1992 through 1993 and two
personnel to East Timor in 1999. In Cambodia, an Okayama Police
superintendent was killed by an armed force. Three policemen were
dispatched to East Timor to assist its direct local referendum.
However, security there sharply deteriorated soon after the
referendum. There has been no dispatch of policemen for eight years
since then.
A senior NPA official said, "People might say that we have Cambodian
TOKYO 00000401 005 OF 008
trauma, but if personnel dispatched to abroad get killed, the
administration will be overturned."
It took about five months for the NPA to decide to send its
personnel this time since the UNSC adopted a resolution to set up
the UNMIT last August. Some criticized the NPA's decision to
dispatch only two personnel with former UN Undersecretary General
Yasushi Akashi saying, "The NPA is far too cautious. Japan's policy
of attaching importance to the UN is not backed by action."
NPA Director General Iwao Uruma said, "It is difficult to dispatch a
large number of policemen because there is no system of law allowing
the NPA to get involved in the dispatch, such as it can directly
train personnel to be dispatched." If that is the case, it will be
through the dispatch of Self-Defense personnel for Japan to
accumulate a track record of dispatching personnel to carry out
PKO."
(5) Weak yen increasingly drawing international criticism: Likely to
become focus of G-7; BOJ might use criticism as excuse for raising
interest rate
YOMIURI (Page 9) (Full)
January 27, 2007
Criticism of the weak yen is increasingly becoming strong, mainly in
Europe. Behind the trend is a sense of alarm that the
weak-yen-and-strong-euro trend could put a dent in European
countries' international competitiveness. Many have cited Japan's
ultra-low interest rate as a cause of the weak-yen trend. The
National Consumer Price Index (CPI) for December, released by the
Internal Affairs Ministry on Jan. 26, rose 0.1% on a year-on-year
basis. The rate of the increase fell by 0.2% from the previous month
with prospects for an interest hike becoming further dim. There has
now appeared a possibility of the weak yen and the ultra-low
interest rate, which is viewed as the cause the weak yen, being made
the target of criticism at a meeting of finance ministers and
central bank governors from the Group of Seven nations (G-7) to take
place in Germany from Feb. 9 through 10.
The yen's downward trend at the Tokyo foreign exchange market has
kicked in with the Bank of Japan (BOJ) giving up the idea of hiking
the interest rate on Jan. 18. On Jan. 26, the value of the yen fell
to the middle of 121 to the dollar and the lower half of 157 to the
euro.
Following the recent weakening-yen trend, one senior German official
on Jan. 24 checked Japan, " The weak yen issue might be brought up
at the upcoming G-7 meeting." Finance Vice Minister for
International Financial Affairs Hiroshi Watanabe on the evening of
Jan. 25 counter-argued, "It is not our understanding that the G-7
will take up concern about the weak yen." However, the observation
is widespread among market players that some discussions on the
possibility of correcting the weak yen trend might be pursued at the
G-7. The market has started showing a sensitive movement, such as
violent fluctuations of the yen exchange in response to statements
by key officials.
On the other hand, there is an aspect of the sudden weakening of the
yen working as a positive factor for the BOJ, which wants to raise
the interest rate in February.
The greatest factor that would allow the BOJ to raise interest rates
TOKYO 00000401 006 OF 008
would be an increase in consumer prices. However, the rate of an
increase in the CPI for December remained at 0.1%, which is lower
than the November rate. The temporary lull in the rise of crude oil
prices and a fall in the prices of digital consumer electronics as a
whole are viewed as major causes of the sluggish increase in
consumer prices. Personal consumption as a whole lacks vigor. The
prevailing view on the market is that given the price and
consumption movements, it would be difficult for the BOJ to insist
on the legitimacy of an interest rate hike.
Amid the BOJ unable to find data to justify an interest rate hike
with the CPI staying flat contrary to its wishes, it has begin
showing a move to check the government and the ruling parties, which
are cautious about the idea of hiking the interest rate, taking the
advantage of international criticism of the lowering yen. Vice BOJ
Governor Toshiro Muto on the 25th called on a certain senior LDP
official and asked for understanding toward the rising criticism of
the weak yen. Some take this visit as a strategic move toward an
early hike in the interest rate.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki during a press conference on the
26th noted, "It is only natural for the BOJ to determine its
financial policy with the yen exchange in mind." He thus indicated a
certain level of understanding toward the BOJ, which has begun
stressing the causes of the weak yen.
The movements of the yen exchange will determine the fate of the
upcoming G-7 meeting. It also will likely have impact on the BOJ,
which has started making efforts to persuade the government and the
ruling parties for an early interest rate hike.
(6) Facts about SDF mission in Iraq (Section 1); Thinking of SDF as
Japan's new garrison-SDF in transformation (Part 7): Limits to
GSDF's own resources-Private contractors needed for GSDF's overseas
activities
TOKYO (Page 1) (Full)
January 16, 2007
A uniformed member of the Ground Self-Defense Force was standing
still in a daze. He was wearing a wheel badge for the GSDF's
transport service.
On Feb. 4, 2005, that GSDF member was waiting for a civilian plane
at the Air Self-Defense Force's Komatsu Air Base in Ishikawa
Prefecture. The civilian plane, chartered by the GSDF, was to be
bound for Kuwait with weaponry and ammunition onboard for GSDF
troops to be dispatched to Iraq in rotation. However, the charter
plane, which was to have arrived there on the previous day, did not
show up.
The GSDF's 5th Iraq Reconstruction Assistance Group-mainly composed
of GSDF troops based at a GSDF garrison in the city of Nagoya-was to
fly its component troops from the ASDF's Komaki Air Base in the city
of Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, and was to airlift its supplies from
Kansai International Airport.
Shortly before the departure date, the airport refused the GSDF's
charter flight. A South African civilian charter plane was to
airlift weaponry and materiel supplies from Komatsu Air Base.
However, the charter plane did not come in the end.
On Feb. 18 that year, those weapons and ammo supplies were loaded
TOKYO 00000401 007 OF 008
onto another charter plane at Nagoya Airport, which is under the
Aichi prefectural government's management. It was the Antonov, a
superheavy-lift cargo carrier of Russian make. The GSDF's airlift
plan was 15 days behind schedule.
"At that time, my stomach was aching," said Col. Yuichi Kajiya, 44,
who headed a transport squad in the GSDF Ground Staff Office. The
squad, which was in charge of airlifts from Japan to Iraq, forwarded
200 vehicles and 400 containers, or a total of 450,000 items.
GSDF troops were flown mainly on civilian charter planes. "We put
everything out to tender," Col. Kajiya said. According to him,
travel agents and shipping companies bid for contracts with their
respective proposals of rates for transportation in Japan, bus
transportation after their arrival in Kuwait, and charter planes. No
Japanese agents participated in overland shipping from Kuwait to
Iraq. Col. Kajiya therefore looked for a local company and
contracted that company.
The Antonov was the only plane that could airlift a huge amount of
cargo for GSDF troops at a time. Only two airliners had that plane.
One was in the possession of a British company, and the other in
Ukraine. Charter rates shot up with the worldwide release date of
Beaujolais Nouveau approaching.
Commercial transportation was not as stable as the ASDF's. In
addition, the GSDF contracted a trading company to build its
temporary camp in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah. However, its
work of setting up the camp there fell substantially behind
schedule, and its prefabricated housing completed there was bent.
"We thought it was a business chance." So saying, an executive of
the trading company explained that the company gave first
consideration to profitability as the primary reason for its
contract.
Even so, one of the lessons the GSDF has learned from its Iraq
mission was to better use private contractors.
GSDF Maj. Gen. Goro Matsumura, 48, who is in charge of troop
mobilization as director of the 2nd Operations Division in the Joint
Staff Office (JSO) of the Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense
Forces, explained: "Wars after the Cold War can be divided into
combat areas and comparatively safe areas where civilians can get in
like in Iraq. Foreign countries have been cutting back on their
military spending, so their armed forces have now found it difficult
to be self-contained."
US forces are positive about utilizing private contractors. For
instance, the US military has been hiring a Kuwaiti company for
overland shipping to Baghdad. This company, well paid in its
contract with the US military, replaced its trucks with new ones
that are less troubled than old ones. The GSDF also contracted the
same company, and its overland transportation became stable.
In June 2006, when the GSDF began preparing its pullout from Iraq,
one of its light armored vehicles overturned in a southern locality
of Iraq. Three GSDF members were injured in that accident, and they
were taken to a US military hospital in Germany.
The JSO considered airlifting the three to Japan on an ASDF C-130
transport. However, the C-130 would take four days because it is a
propeller plane. According to Maj. Gen. Matsumura, the GSDF found a
Japanese agent for medical airlift services using jet aircraft. "We
TOKYO 00000401 008 OF 008
didn't use it," he said. "But," he added, "the private sector's
systems are more advanced than ours." According to Col. Kajiya, the
GSDF's transportation staff is less than 100. "We have limits to
what we can do, so we cannot do everything ourselves, and we need
help from outside" Col. Kajiya said.
The GSDF will now need to work together with its civilian
contractors in its overseas activities.
(This is the last of a seven-part series written by Shigeru Handa,
Local News Section, Tokyo Shimbun.)
(7) Commentary: Bush's Iraq war
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full)
January 29, 2007
"Human beings are quite opportunists, and whenever they want to do
something, they find excuses or reasons for such acts." This is one
paragraph in the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, an American
politician who edited the Declaration of Independence. It would be
better to add the words "especially politicians" to the paragraph.
In the United States, President Bush and the Congress have clashed
head-on over the president's plan to deploy more troops in Iraq. In
Iraq, the war has cost many lives of American troops and Iraqis. It
is apparent that the preventive war waged by President Bush to fight
terrorism is the main cause for the current stalemated security
situation there.
This kind of notion (preventive war) had not existed before the Iraq
war was launched. Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., an expert on American
history, in his book Presidents at War argues that although the US
was about to opt for "a revolutionary change," there was no
nationwide debate.
Preventive war is intended to cope with a potential future threat,
so thoroughly analyzing intelligence is absolutely necessary. As
seen from the outcome of the Iraq war, however, it is impossible for
a nation to perfectly analyze intelligence before it goes to war.
Will the Iraq war be the last preventive war? Behind the president's
plan to send more troops to Iraq seems to be his desire that the
Iraq war be seen by history as a successful one. This is an attempt
to justify preemptive war, and Iraq may not be the last one.
The US government has protested Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma's
remarks last week criticizing President Bush's decision to launch
the war in Iraq. The Japanese government, concerned about a lack of
unity in the cabinet over the US Iraq policy, is stepping up efforts
to put the matter to the rest. But the government should also
discuss what response it should take to war. If Japan remains
silent, it will be disqualified from offering its opinion on
America's preventive wars.
DONOVAN