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 07TOKYO1657, DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04/16/07
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. #07TOKYO1657.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07TOKYO1657 | 2007-04-16 08:06 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Tokyo |
VZCZCXRO6334
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #1657/01 1060806
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 160806Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2673
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//
RUALSFJ/COMUSJAPAN YOKOTA AB JA//J5/JO21//
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA
RUAYJAA/COMPATWING ONE KAMI SEYA JA
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 3142
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 0691
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 4219
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 0003
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 1612
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 6600
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 2675
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 3937
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 001657
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 04/16/07
INDEX:
(1) Upper House by-elections: Ruling and opposition candidates neck
and neck in Okinawa; Minshuto enjoys lead in Fukushima
(2) Prime Minister Abe: I will listens to views of local residents"
on Futenma relocation
(3) National referendum bill setting constitutional amendment
procedures: Prime Minister Abe's arbitrary act might create rift
between, LDP and New Komeito, even with Lower House approves the
bill
(4) Editorial: Decline of ODA; Maintain presence using various
methods
(5) Facts about SDF deployment in Iraq (Section 2); Thinking of SDF
as Japan's new garrison-SDF in transformation (Part 4): Support
pact-Integration going on with US military
(6) Japan @ World by Yoichi Funabashi: Japan needs to be further
involved in six-party talks
ARTICLES:
(1) Upper House by-elections: Ruling and opposition candidates neck
and neck in Okinawa; Minshuto enjoys lead in Fukushima
YOMIURI (Page 3) (Abridged)
April 16, 2007
The Yomiuri Shimbun conducted on April 15 telephone-based opinion
surveys ahead of the April 22 Upper House by-elections in Okinawa
and Fukushima prefectures. In Okinawa, Aiko Shimajiri (backed by the
ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the New Komeito) and Yoshimasa
Karimata (endorsed by the opposition Minshuto (Democratic Party of
Japan), the Japanese Communist Party, the Social Democratic Party,
and the People's New Party) are neck and neck. In Fukushima,
LDP-backed Isamu Yamaguchi is closing the gap on Minshuto-endorsed
Teruhiko Mashiko. Campaigning between the two camps is intensifying,
as seen in frequent stumping tours by opposition party executives.
Candidates in Fukushima
7 Teruhiko Mashiko, 59, former Lower House lawmaker, endorsed by
Minshuto
7 Isamu Yamaguchi, 69, former prefectural assembly speaker, backed
by LDP
7 Shitsui Miyamoto, 54, former prefectural assembly member, endorsed
by JCP
Candidates in Okinawa
7 Hiroyuki Kinjo, 68, company executive, independent
7 Yoshimasa Karimata, 57, former Rengo (Japanese Trade Union
Confederation) Okinawa chapter chairman, backed by Minshuto, JCP,
SDP, and PNP
7 Aiko Shimajiri, 42, former Naha city assembly member, endorsed by
LDP and New Komeito
In the poll in Okinawa, a little less than 80 PERCENT of LDP
supporters and over 70 PERCENT of New Komeito supporters said they
would vote for Shimajiri. Slightly less than 90 PERCENT of Minshuto
TOKYO 00001657 002 OF 011
supporters and nearly 70 PERCENT of JCP and SDP backers indicated
their intention to vote for Karimata.
In Fukushima, Mashiko has consolidated over 70 PERCENT of support
among Minshuto backers. Yamaguchi has consolidated slightly less
than 50 PERCENT and 40 PERCENT of support among LDP and New
Komeito backers, respectively.
The situation may change, as over 30 PERCENT of respondents in
Okinawa and about 50 PERCENT of voters in Fukushima indicated that
they have yet to decide whom they would vote for. In the survey
conducted on randomly selected voters, respondents came from 1,052
persons (59 PERCENT ) in Fukushima and 856 persons (50 PERCENT ) in
Okinawa.
Okinawa
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Okinawa yesterday to stump for
Aiko Shimajiri in Naha, Urasoe, Okinawa, and even Miyako Island. At
those places, Abe, clad in a laid-back Okinawa shirt, vowed to
revitalize the local economy, playing up the positive results
brought about the government's structural reform drive over the last
six years.
The LDP's failure to win the two by-elections would bode ill for the
ruling coalition to secure a majority in the Upper House election
this summer. Upper House LDP Caucus Chairman Mikio Aoki also decided
at a pep rally in Naha on April 14 that the future of the LDP-New
Komeito coalition and the Abe administration hinges on the results
of the upcoming by-elections. LDP workers have been stationed in
Okinawa, where Shimajiri and Karimata are competing with each other
fiercely since early March to tighten the LDP's grip on local
industrial associations.
Minshuto President Ichiro Ozawa, his deputy Naoto Kan, and Secretary
General Yukio Hatoyama also visited Naha yesterday to stump for
Karimata to demonstrate the party's commitment to Okinawa. The three
canvassed the city's downtown area for about half an hour along with
SDP head Mizuho Fukushima and the PNP's Tamisuke Watanuki.
Ozawa harshly criticized the ruling coalition, saying, "We need to
put an end to this system which is harsh to the socially weak and to
the rural areas."
Minshuto intends to focus on correcting disparities among regions.
This strategy comes from the party's failure to get its candidate
elected in last year's Okinawa gubernatorial race. That candidate
had called for an immediate closure of the US Marines' Futenma Air
Station.
The Minshuto Okinawa election campaign office also began
full-fledged activities on April 13. Hatoyama and Kan pressed
yesterday afternoon local campaign staffers to brace themselves for
the upcoming race.
Fukushima
LDP Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa stumped yesterday for Isamu
Yamaguchi in four places, including Iwaki and Shirakawa cities.
Nakagawa played up the Abe administration's efforts to reform the
economy to create a society where everyone shares the same pain,
highlighting the need to have a ruling lawmaker for winning funds
for public works projects there.
TOKYO 00001657 003 OF 011
LDP deputy secretaries general have made many trips to Fukushima to
stump for Yamaguchi by putting LDP overtones to the forefront.
Nakagawa's visit to the prefecture yesterday was his seventh.
All Minshuto executives also visited Fukushima to stump for Mashiko,
who is enjoying a lead. Hatoyama still warned the party from Okinawa
yesterday that the largest opposition party must not be overly
optimistic about the Fukushima race.
To illustrate the growing income disparity, Hatoyama said in a
street-corner speech yesterday: "(Per capita) income in Tokyo is 1.8
million yen higher than that in Fukushima. This is unreasonable, and
politics must take the blame for it."
In last year's gubernatorial race, the candidate backed jointly by
Minshuto and the SDP achieved victory under the theme of "the
people's party." Motivated by that race, the largest opposition
plans to capitalize on the national recognition of Mashiko, who
served three terms in the Lower House, rather than to highlight
Minshuto features.
Abe views Futenma Air Station
Prime Minister Abe took a first look at Futenma Air Station
yesterday from Kakazu Takadai Park in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture.
Standing besides Abe, Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima expressed hopes for an
early relocation of the airfield, saying: "The base sits in the
densely-populated residential areas. We want to see the base removed
as soon as possible." In response, Abe indicated that the government
would relocate it to the coastal area of Camp Schwab upon obtaining
local support, saying: "We will push ahead with the relocation plan
while hearing local views. We will work hard to meet your request
swiftly."
(2) Prime Minister Abe: I will listens to views of local residents"
on Futenma relocation
RYUKYU SHIMPO (Page 2) (Full)
April 16, 2007
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Okinawa on April 15 for the first
time since he assumed office in order to support campaigns for the
Upper House Okinawa local elections and the Upper House by-election.
With Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima as his guide, the prime minister
inspected the US Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station from the
Kakazu-Takadai Park in Ginowan City. Abe is the first incumbent
prime minister to have made an inspection of the Futenma base.
Pointing out the danger of the air station, which is located in an
urban district, the governor demanded early relocation of the
Futenma base. Abe then visited the city of Miyakojima. Abe is the
first prime minister to have visited Miyakojima in 42 years, since
Eisaku Sato went there in 1965 when the island was returned to
Japanese rule.
After inspecting the Futenma base, Abe delivered a street-corner
speech, in which he took a cooperative stance with local residents.
He stated:
"The Futenma Air Station, which carries risk as it is located in an
urban area, should be relocated as quickly as possible. I will hear
the views of the governor and local residents on the relocation of
TOKYO 00001657 004 OF 011
the base."
He also expressed a positive stance toward an idea of expanding Naha
Airport. He said:
"In order to realize Gov. Nakaima's campaign pledge to boost the
number of visitors traveling to Okinawa to several tens of millions
of people. The airport has to be expanded. I will give top priority
to the expansion of the airport."
He stated this on the realignment of US forces in Japan:
"Easing the burden of US military bases on the residents of Okinawa
is my responsibility. I think we should actively use the land at
Futenma after that base is relocated."
At the Kakazu-Takadai Park, Akira Uehara, head of the governor's
office, briefed Abe on the general outline of the Futenma base.
While showing a picture of the accident site where a US military
helicopter crashed into the ground at Okinawa International
University, Nakaima stressed problems to Abe, saying, "Since the air
station is located in the middle of the city, it is dangerous and
noisy."
In the city of Miyakojima, Abe toured a facility producing a
bio-ethanol fuel by a sugar fermentation process that uses
sugarcane. On a three percent ethanol-mixed gasoline car (E3), the
prime minister arrived in a place where he was going to give a
speech. Bio-ethanol is the most environment-friendly fuel in the
world. The nation proactively supports this kind of technology."
Earlier in the day Abe attended a funeral at the Air Self-Defense
Force's Naha base for four crew members of a ground-Self-Defense
Forces helicopter killed in a crash last month while on a medical
transport mission. He then visited the National Cemetery for Okinawa
the War Dead to offer flowers.
(3) National referendum bill setting constitutional amendment
procedures: Prime Minister Abe's arbitrary act might create rift
between, LDP and New Komeito, even with Lower House approves the
bill
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full)
April 13, 2007
The outlook is that concrete procedures to amend the Constitution
will be set for the first time in the 61 years since the national
constitution came into force. Since the bill setting procedures is
designed to revise the supreme law, the ruling Liberal Democratic
Party, its coalition partner New Komeito, and the largest opposition
party initially aimed to reach an agreement. However, after Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe gave the command, a special committee of the
House of Representatives voted on the measure (and subsequently the
bill cleared the chamber). However, important debate on what, when
and how the Constitution will be amended was never conducted.
Former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, who assumed the
chairmanship of a suprapartisan parliamentary group aiming at
creating an independent constitution, praised Abe on April 5 at the
Prime Minister's Official Residence, saying, "Since you are the
first postwar prime minister tackling straightforwardly
constitutional reform, I accepted the offer to head the
parliamentarian group." Abe then responded with a smile: "I am
grateful that you accepted the post. I would like you to push
TOKYO 00001657 005 OF 011
forward to build popular acceptance as to why constitutional
amendments are needed."
However, Abe's stance of stressing his reform orientation made it
impossible for joint actions among the LDP, New Komeito and Minshuto
(Democratic Party of Japan) to modify the bill.
In his press conference on Jan. 4 for the New Year, Abe positioned
constitutional reform as a campaign issue for the House of
Councillors election this summer, saying, "In campaigning for the
Upper House election, I will stress my intention to aim a amend the
Constitution."
Abe regards himself as a member of the conservative mainstream, so
for him, picking up the challenge to amend the Constitution has
become symbolic with his political stance of breaking away from the
"postwar regime." With his popularity on the decline, should the
national referendum bill, following the passage of a bill revising
the Basic Education Law late last year, clear the Diet, the ruling
coalition will be able to strengthen its conservative base in the
Upper House.
Minshuto President Ichiro Ozawa has accepted Abe's challenge. Caught
up in standoff between the two party heads, joint amendments looked
into by lawmakers from the three parties collapsed.
However, Abe has yet to speak up his blueprint for constitutional
reform. He reportedly stated emotionally in a meeting in January in
Tokyo: "No matter how difficult constitutional reform is, we must
continue speaking about it; otherwise we will never accomplish our
desire." Abe's aide said: "To keep calling for constitutional reform
seems to be Abe's mission." As if responding to Abe's focusing on
just repeating the constitutional-reform mantra, a mood calling for
constitutional amendment has kicked in.
There is no surge in momentum of calling constitutional amendments
even in the LDP, which announced a draft plan for a new constitution
18 months ago.
In order to promote a debate on constitutional reform, the LDP last
October upgraded its Research Commission (chosakai) on the
Constitution to the status of a council (shingikai). However, the
council has yet to resume debate since its head has not been chosen.
Although Upper House Caucus Chairman Yoichi Masuzoe in February
called on former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori to set up a new panel
to be headed by him, not much progress has occurred. Masuzoe,
however, is critical of addressing constitutional reform a campaign
issue for the Upper House election, arguing:
"Unless 70 to 80 PERCENT of the people approve constitutional
revision, amending the Constitution will be difficult. Under the
present situation, a campaign pledge to amend the Constitution will
not lead to gaining votes."
One of the reasons for no surge in momentum for constitutional
reform in the LDP is "the national referendum bill itself," said one
LDP member. That is because the legislation includes the New
Komeito's view that during the three years from the proclamation of
national referendum law until the law's going into effect, a review
of constitutional reforms bills and submission of them be
prohibited.
One senior member of the New Komeito, which has called for upholding
TOKYO 00001657 006 OF 011
Article 9 of the Constitution, expects that if more time is taken,
the view held by some of protecting the constitution from change
will grow. Party head Akihiro Ota has repeatedly told the prime
minister: "It will take a long time to amend the Constitution."
The New Komeito has insisted that one vote should be taken on each
article. The party has a strategy of gradually making clear its
opposition to the LDP draft proposals, advocating that it will be
difficult to completely change the Constitution by a national
referendum.
Ota warned Abe on March 23: "Making constitutional reform a campaign
issue for the Upper House election and constitutional reform
actually becoming a campaign issue are two different things." Ota
meant that the public are not interested in amending the
Constitution, but Abe reportedly fended him off, saying, "Do you
think constitutional reform will become a main issue in the campaign
for the Upper House election?" After the national referendum becomes
law, the gaps between the LDP and New Komeito might become more
pronounced.
(4) Editorial: Decline of ODA; Maintain presence using various
methods
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full)
April 13, 2007
The track record of Japan's official development assistance (ODA)
last year plunged 11.7 PERCENT from the previous year. Japan's
ranking as an ODA donor slipped to third place, overtaken by
Britain. Japan has had no other choice but to cut the ODA budget, as
it is in the process of reconstructing its finances. The issue of
Japan can maintain its presence in the international community has
become a major agenda item.
Japan once held the top slot, but it was first overtaken by the US
and now by Britain. The drop is mainly attributable to a substantial
decrease in debt reduction offered to Iraq in 2005. Japan's ODA
dropped to 0.25 PERCENT in gross national profit terms as well, a
long away from industrialized countries' target of 0.7 PERCENT .
The basic policy guidelines on economic and fiscal management and
structural reforms issued last year noted that the ODA budget should
be cut 2 PERCENT -4 PERCENT each year in order to turn the primary
balance into black in fiscal 2011. It is projected that Japan will
fall to fifth slot, overtaken by France and Germany in the near
future. Many are concerned about Japan's ODA presence continue to
wane.
However, Japan's ODA is still way above that of the US in gross
national income terms. It must be remembered that there is the
aspect of the fluctuation of ODA being determined by fiscal
conditions of the time.
European countries started increasing ODA budgets from around 2000,
the millennium and the year when they achieved fiscal
reconstruction. Japan's ODA continued to increase even after the
collapse of the economic bubble, but it took a downturn in the same
year.
Japan's international contributions, even at a time when it was
suffering from a pronouncedly deteriorating fiscal situation among
industrialized countries, fully deserve global recognition. Another
TOKYO 00001657 007 OF 011
major factor for the drop in the track record of ODA is a sharp
increase in the repayment of yen loans by Southeast Asian countries.
These countries ceased to be recipient countries, proving that
Japan's aid had been successful.
However, maintaining presence with a limited ODA budget requires
various resourcefulness. Cutting the cost of projects will lead to
an increase in the volume of projects. Using private-sector human
resources and know-how will also be essential.
Demand for yen loans is still high. Yen loans to China will be ended
-- visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao did not directly express
gratitude for yen loans to China. In India, which is pro-Japanese
and a key country in security terms, the construction of social
infrastructure will move into full scale. Yen loans will also be
effective in nurturing petty, small and medium-size businesses in
African countries.
ODA is still a major diplomatic tool for Japan. The Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which is to be reorganized
into the Overseas Economic Cooperation Council chaired by the prime
minister, will be required to develop a highly sophisticated
strategy.
(5) Facts about SDF deployment in Iraq (Section 2); Thinking of SDF
as Japan's new garrison-SDF in transformation (Part 4): Support
pact-Integration going on with US military
TOKYO (Top play) (Full)
March 29, 2007
Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait is the largest base of that
country's air force.
There are four aircraft shelters standing along a runway of the
airbase. All those shelters remain wrecked. When the airbase was
under the Iraqi military's occupation in the 1991 Gulf War, US
military jets conducted pinpoint airstrikes on those shelters,
targeting Iraqi troops stationed there.
One of those wrecked shelters has a hole on its ceiling. Three
blue-gray C-130 transport planes dispatched from Japan's Air
Self-Defense Force are parked on an apron in front of that shelter.
"Powder-like sands get in, so we don't turn on the air-conditioning
until right before taking off," says Sgt. Atsushi Hoshino, a
34-year-old maintenance service crewman. "The temperature in the
aircraft goes up to 70 degrees (centigrade) when we're doing
maintenance service," the sergeant added.
Near the shelter is a hangar. The ASDF built the hangar to protect
its aircrafts and members from the severe environment. The hangar is
now in the US military's use.
In the two midsummer months of June and August 2005, gray-coated US
Air Force C-130 transport planes were housed in the hangar for a
total of four periods from four to eight days. "We can use the
hangar again after they return it, so the hangar is offered to them
for nothing," a Defense Ministry official said.
That year, the ASDF provided the US Air Force twice with C-130 parts
and was supplied seven times with componentry from the USAF. In
addition, the ASDF used the US military's toilet-cleaning equipment
four times for its C-130s.
TOKYO 00001657 008 OF 011
The ASDF owes much to the US military. Its supply of air fuel to the
ASDF's Kuwait-based detachment amounts to as much as 140 kiloliters
a year. "The ASDF has dispatched about 200 personnel there," says
Col. Hirohide Inoue, 45, chief coordinator in the Air Staff Office's
Logistics Planning Division. Inoue went on: "The ASDF is provided
with air fuel from the US Air Force, so we can somehow manage to do
things at this level of personnel. If we've got to do everything
ourselves, we will have to send more personnel. As a result, the
ASDF's burden will be heavier."
What makes it possible for Japan and the United States to replenish
each other with supplies is a bilateral arrangement, which is called
the Japan-US Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA). The
two countries return supplies in kind. However, they may also cash
in.
At one time, the Defense Agency-the Defense Ministry's
predecessor-issued a notification in the name of its administrative
deputy director general's name to let the Maritime Self-Defense
Force refuel US naval vessels only when MSDF vessels participate in
the Rim-of-the Pacific joint naval maneuvers (RIMPAC) conducted in
waters off Hawaii under the US Navy's initiative. Japan and the
United States thereafter strengthened their bilateral cooperation.
In 1996, the Japanese and US governments issued a bilateral joint
declaration on security. At the same time, the two governments
entered into ACSA.
At first, ACSA was only applicable to bilateral joint training
exercises between Japan and the United States as well as to United
Nations peacekeeping operations. However, ACSA, as a result of its
two revisions, expanded its applicable scope to contingencies in the
periphery of Japan and emergencies in Japan. Later on, ACSA's
applicable scope was further expanded to the Self-Defense Forces'
overseas activities conducted under the Antiterror Special Measures
Law or otherwise under the Iraq Special Measures Law.
The SDF-with its members deployed in Iraq-came under ACSA at once.
In Kuwait, for instance, Ground Self-Defense Force members stayed at
a US Army camp where they were served with provisions. They were
airlifted to Iraq on ASDF C-130 transport planes. After their
arrival in Iraq, they received similar support from US forces in Ali
(formerly Taril).
As is evident from such cases, the SDF's Iraq mission cannot go it
alone without its integration with US forces. This also seems to be
why the ASDF is tasked with airlift activities mainly for US
troops.
Ali Al Salem Air Base also hosts troops from the Republic of Korea.
The ASDF, according to its officer, provides no supplies to the ROK
forces because Japan and the ROK have no arrangement like ACSA.
However, a Defense Ministry official explains that the Iraq Special
Measures Law prescribes a clause of "transfer" and "nonreimbursable
loan," which is applicable to South Korean forces as well.
At the airbase, the ASDF has invested a total of 2.3 billion yen for
its hangar, billeting and recreational quarters, and some other
buildings. "In time," another Defense Ministry official says, "the
SDF will withdraw." This official added: "All these buildings are
therefore regarded as temporary installations. We cannot say these
buildings are state-owned assets, and it's incorrect to say these
facilities are under (Japan's) occupation."
TOKYO 00001657 009 OF 011
When deploying overseas, the SDF sets up a base on the premises of a
base in a foreign land to team up with armed forces from foreign
countries. This framework has already been established. In December
last year, the Self-Defense Forces Law was revised to task the SDF
with overseas activities as part of its primary missions. The law
just caught up with the facts to endorse what the SDF is actually
doing.
(6) Japan @ World by Yoichi Funabashi: Japan needs to be further
involved in six-party talks
ASAHI (Page 4) (Slightly abridged)
April 16, 2007
Yoichi Funabashi
US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill is an ardent fan of
the Boston Red Sox.
Last November, when pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka decided to transfer to
the Red Sox, Hill yelled with delight. Immediately after the
revelation of this decision, Hill engaged in talks with North Korean
Vice Foreign Minister Kim Gye Gwan on the issue of the 25 million
dollars frozen at North Korea-related bank accounts at Banco Delta
Asia (BDA) in Macao.
Hill was too excited to solemnly engage in the talks.
"Matsuzaka will transfer to the Red Sox. The transfer money is 51
million dollars."
"Matsuzaka?"
Kim had no idea who was Matsuzaka. He stared at Hill with wonder.
"Why is that huge amount of money paid to only one person?"
"Indeed, it is a large sum of money, more than double 25 million
dollars."
Their conversation moved from this topic to how to launch a
framework for US-North Korea talks to discuss the lifting of the
sanctions against the North. Last week, the US government announced
it would lift the freeze on the DPRK's funds at the BDA, and this
has now enabled North Korea to withdraw its deposits there. But the
North Koreans have neither shut down nor sealed their nuclear
reactor at Yongbyon yet.
America's lifting of the sanctions against the North has somehow
brought the six-party talks to the point of going to bat in the
direction of denuclearizing the North. If the North reports on all
its nuclear programs and disables all existing nuclear facilities,
the multilateral talks will advance to first base. Then,
full-fledged energy assistance by every member nation will start.
The six-party talks can advance to second base if they succeed in
obtaining the North's commitment to abandon the nuclear enrichment
program that triggered a nuclear crisis this time. The talks would
reach third if they are successful in making the North dispose of
its nuclear weapons tested last October and nuclear materials. The
multilateral talks will reach home plate if they thoroughly inspect
and confirm whether the North has scrapped all of its nuclear
programs and facilities. Unless all this is done, no path for
TOKYO 00001657 010 OF 011
diplomatic normalization between the US and North Korea and between
Japan and North Korea can be set. There is a long way to go,
however.
In addition, the abduction issue stands in the way for Japan and
North Korea to normalize diplomatic ties. Tokyo has proclaimed that
it will not assist North Korea in the energy area unless the
abduction issue makes headway. Pyongyang's position is that the
abduction issue has already been settled. Japan does not intend to
take part in the energy assistance scheme for the time being. The
North has called Japan a country disqualified to be a member of the
six-party talks. Japan is not necessarily going along with four
other member nations of the talks: the US, China, South Korea, and
Russia.
One South Korean diplomat I met in Beijing told me: "Everybody
initially showed sympathy for the abducted victims. But the Japanese
government has reiterated the same thing at every session under the
six-party talks. I therefore have sent my home government this kind
of telegram concerning Japan's chief negotiator's statements: 'His
statements focused solely on the abduction issue as 'he did in the
last session with no fresh argument.'"
Former US Secretary of State Kissinger, who was recently visiting
Japan, queried ranking Japanese officials: "What would be a
resolution to the abduction issue? Could you tell me the
definition?" Reportedly, however, no clear-cut answer was given to
him.
I doubt whether the Japanese government really has an answer to that
question. In the Diet, both arguments crop up: one is "Japan must
not be left behind the US and North Korea over the nuclear issue"
and the other is "Japan should resolutely deal with the abduction
issue, aside from America's or North Korea's motives."
"The prevailing view is that Japan has received the cold shoulder
and has been isolated in the six-party talks," a high-level US
government official analyzed. This view implies the feeling that:
Japan has been betrayed by the US, which has rushed to reach
agreement in talks with North Korea. Voices of distrust of the US
are in fact heard, for instance, the US is spoiling North Korea; the
US is about to launch "arms control" talks with the North; and
America's "nuclear umbrella" has holes in it now.
Partly because the six-party talks were started under the initiative
of the US and China, Japan has so far tended to participate in the
sessions with a passive attitude and has failed to make strategic
decisions. But it is incorrect to say that Japan has been placed in
an isolated situation in the six-party talks.
Japan needs to cool-headedly analyze the limits of the six-party
talks. Specifically, the multilateral talks eventually allowed the
North to conduct a nuclear test. The North Koreans appear to be
performing "brinkmanship" acrobatics under a safety net called the
six-party talks. North Korea indeed may not abandon its nuclear
programs.
Nevertheless, Japan should pursue the possibility of the six-party
talks as far as it can. If nuclear proliferation were to occur at
this point, relations among Japan, China, and South Korea could
assume an aspect of xenophobic nationalism and be filled with a
sense of fear. In this case, Japan would find itself in a most
difficult situation among those member nations.
TOKYO 00001657 011 OF 011
The six-party talks could serve as a first multifaceted process in
the history of this region for peace and stability. Japan's
strategic challenge will be to grope to find the best possibilities
of applying this process, including an opportunity for the Japan-US
alliance and the US-South Korea alliance to be linked to a regional
framework in Northeast Asia. The first ordeal for Japan is to
actively participate in the process of bringing about the
abandonment of the North's nuclear programs and by so doing, to
acquire multifaceted diplomatic skills. There is no choice but to
resolve the nuclear issue and the abduction issue within a
multifaceted process. Preparing for that requires a strategic
decision.
Let me add some points of my own in this regard.
7 Maintain a firm relationship of trust between Japan and the US in
a way that is linked to the bilateral alliance, which has the
capability to keep the region stable on the basis of the US Forces
Japan.
7 Pursue a resolution of the abduction issue while linking it to the
nuclear issue. Unfold a diplomacy that will boost, if possible, the
efforts to resolve the nuclear issue and use Japan's active handling
of the issue to increase multifaceted pressure on North Korea in the
area of the abduction issue.
7 Prepare an "exit plan" for a resolution to the abduction issue
while pressing ahead on it. Consider the abduction issue in light of
diplomacy instead of as a movement.
The question is not a choice between the two: nuclear and
abductions. This is not the question, either, of which issue comes
first. Japan is indeed urged to make a strategic decision.
SCHIEFFER