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 07TOKYO4281, DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 09/13/07
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. #07TOKYO4281.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07TOKYO4281 | 2007-09-13 07:58 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Tokyo |
VZCZCXRO6195
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #4281/01 2560758
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 130758Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7554
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//
RHMFISS/COMUSJAPAN YOKOTA AB JA//J5/JO21//
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA
RUAYJAA/CTF 72
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 5575
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 3158
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 6799
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 2126
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 3883
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 8950
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 5007
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 5917
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 004281
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 09/13/07
Index:
(1) Poll on Abe cabinet's job performance
(2) Many unanswered questions about Abe's explanation for
resignation
(3) Prime Minister Abe quits but what will be the fate of structural
reforms? Challenge is to strike balance with effort to correct
social disparities: CEFP meeting cancelled on short notice
(4) Emergency roundtable on Prime Minister Abe's decision to step
down -- a political crisis that requires public vote (Part 1)
(5) Collapse of Abe administration (Part 1): Abe lacks competence
required of prime minister
(6) Prime Minister Abe to be hospitalized for at least 3-4 days at
Keio Hospital
(7) Protection of lifeline for oil transport
ARTICLES:
(1) Poll on Abe cabinet's job performance
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full)
September 13, 2007
Questions & Answers
(T = total; P = previous; M = male; F = female)
Q: What do you think is needed for prime minister?
T P M F
Experience 5 7 4
Decisiveness 28 29 27
International sensibility 2 2 2
Popularity 1 1 1
Ability to translate policy measures into action 30 29 31
Foresight 18 18 17
Ability to coordinate 6 5 6
Personal character 2 2 2
Ethics 3 3 3
Youthfulness 1 1 1
Q: Do you appreciate the Abe government over the past year?
T P M F
Yes 22 21 23
No 74 76 71
Q: What do you think was good about what Prime Minister Abe has
done?
T P M F
Enacted the National Referendum Law that stipulated procedures for
constitutional revision 7 9 5
Made efforts for education reform, such as revising the Fundamentals
of Education Law 15 14 16
Improved relations with China and South Korea 13 16 10
Reformed the public service system, such as restricting golden
TOKYO 00004281 002 OF 010
parachuting 24 24 24
Response to the government's pension record-keeping flaws 23 20 25
Q: What do you think was wrong about what Prime Minister Abe has
done?
T P M F
Enacted the National Referendum Law that stipulated procedures for
constitutional revision 7 8 7
Made efforts for education reform, such as revising the Fundamentals
of Education Law 4 4 4
Reinstated postal rebels to the LDP 13 15 11
Response to political scandals over money and gaffes from his
cabinet ministers 44 43 45
Stayed on after the LDP's route in this July's election for the
House of Councillors 20 23 18
Q: The Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) garnered 60 seats in
this July's election for the House of Councillors and took great
strides. Do you think it's all right to entrust the DPJ with the
reins of government?
T P M F
Yes 43 52 36
No 50 45 54
(Note) Figures shown in percentage, rounded off. "No answer"
omitted.
Polling methodology: The survey was conducted across the nation over
a period of three days, Sept. 7-9, on a face-to-face basis. A total
of 4,575 persons were chosen from among men and women aged 20 and
over as of Sept. 30 at 300 locations on a stratified two-stage
random sampling basis for interviews. Answers were obtained from
2,516 persons (55 PERCENT ).
(2) Many unanswered questions about Abe's explanation for
resignation
ASAHI (Page 2) (Full)
September 13, 2007
There are some questions about Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's reason
for his decision to resign, which he explained in a press conference
yesterday. There seemed to be prospects for an extension of the
Maritime Self-Defense Force's (MSDF) refueling services, even if he
had not resigned. The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) will not agree
to an extension of the MSDF refueling operation even after he steps
down. He cited the devastating defeat in the July House of
Councillors election as a reason. However, it is makes no sense at
all that he announced his intention to resign two days after he had
expressed his determination to stay in office in his policy speech,
instead of immediately after the Upper House election.
Abe stressed that the MSDF mission in the Indian Ocean must continue
at any cost. He explained that he would change the situation since
DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa snubbed his request for a meeting.
However, the government and ruling coalition had decided to submit
new legislation to limit the MSDF activities to refueling and
supplying water to allied vessels in the Indian Ocean. Even if the
legislation is voted down at the Upper House, which is controlled by
TOKYO 00004281 003 OF 010
the opposition camp, it is possible that it will be re-approved by
two-thirds of the Lower House by extending the term of the current
session.
If Abe had a strong will to get the new legislation through the Diet
as he had enacted a bill revising the National Civil Service Law
during the previous extra session, the MSDF refueling mission will
be able to resumed, although the mission might be discontinued for
about one month. Therefore, the prime minister's decision to resign
is inconsistent with his statement in Sydney last weekend that he
would stake his job on extending the MSDF refueling operation, which
is an international commitment.
Abe said his staying in office was obstructed by his failure to
obtain a meeting with DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa. Ozawa, however,
has consistently opposed continuation of the MSDF operation. Abe
expressed his expectations of frank talks between the new LDP
president and Ozawa, but there is no guarantee that the DPJ will
change its position after Abe resigns as prime minister.
It is not understandable that he cited the LDP's crushing defeat in
the Upper House election as a reason for his decision to resign at
this time.
Revealing that Ozawa cited as his reason for not meeting Abe was
that Abe had not accepted the judgment of the people, Abe stated:
"The results of the Upper House election were harsh." He also said:
"The Abe cabinet failed to obtain public confidence. I think this is
probably my responsibility."
Abe announced his intention to stay in office despite the LDP's
setback in the July Upper House race. He then came under fire from
both the ruling and opposition camps. In his policy speech on Sept.
10, however, he expressed his determination to continue to push
forward with reforms for the sake of the people based on the results
of the Upper House election. The reasons for the resignation of
successive prime ministers were clear. They took responsibility for
budgets not clearing the Diet due to scandals, the party's setback
in an election, as well as health reasons.
However, Abe quit his job, reversing his past remarks immediately
before the start of questioning sessions by party representatives on
his policy speech. Although a health problem was included in Abe's
decision as Chief Cabinet Secretary Kaoru Yosano revealed, it goes
without saying that he lacked the qualifications to be prime
minister.
(3) Prime Minister Abe quits but what will be the fate of structural
reforms? Challenge is to strike balance with effort to correct
social disparities: CEFP meeting cancelled on short notice
MAINICHI (Page 11) (Excerpts)
September 13, 2009
Prime Minister Abe's abrupt decision to step down will likely have a
major impact on economic policy, including fiscal and financial
policies and trade talks. The expanded social disparities caused by
the structural reform policy inherited from the previous
administration, as well as public distrust in the government over
the pension fiasco and the politics and money issue are attributable
to the ruling parties' crushing defeat in the Upper House, which
prefaced Abe's resignation. Amid the bleak economic prospects,
TOKYO 00004281 004 OF 010
chances are high that voices calling for a shift from the reform
policy will gain ground with a changeover of prime ministers as the
occasion. Trade talks, which require coordination of complicated
interests, will need a prime minister's leadership. A protracted
period of political turmoil could have a negative impact on the
management of the economy and public finances.
Following the announcement of Prime Minister Abe's decision to step
down, a meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy (CEFP),
slated for the evening of Sept. 12, was cancelled on short notice.
The panel was supposed to discuss such issues as reshaping local
economies. However, it had no other choice but to put off the
meeting until after a new prime minister takes office. The role of
the CEFP, which has served as the driving force for structural
reforms, could change, depending on the policy of the next
administration.
Prime Minister Abe failed to achieve major results in economic
policy. He advocated a new economic growth strategy aimed at
boosting tax revenues through economic growth. Referring to
financial resources to fund an increase in state contribution to the
basic pension, he said in the July Upper House election campaign
that he wanted to bring about a situation that does not require a
hike in the consumption tax. However, he failed to win support from
the voters.
The gross domestic product (GDP) for the April-June quarter in the
second preliminary report marked negative growth. What impact the
high-interest housing loans (sub-prime loan) for low-income earners
in the US will have on the Japanese economy is not clear. The future
of the economy, which has thus far boosted tax revenues, is not all
that rosy. In particular, various economic indices indicate that the
benefits of the economic recovery centered on the manufacturing
sector and leading companies are not being felt by small and medium
businesses and local economies.
The challenge the next administration will likely face will include
dealing with such issues as correcting income disparities, while
promoting efforts to recapitalize public finance. However,
scattering about pork-barrel largesse in the form of carrying out
unnecessary public works and budgetary fund appropriation will not
herald independent local governments. Taizo Nishimura, chairman of
the Fiscal System Advisory Council, an advisory panel reporting to
the finance minister, was quick to make it clear during a press
conference on Sept. 12 that though the economic policy could change
under the next prime minister, further deterioration of public
finances must be prevented.
Positive impact on Japanese economy
Kiyohiko Fukushima, professor at Rikkyo University
Prime Minister Abe has decided to hand his administration to the
next leader, feeling his limitations in what he can do as prime
minister. His decision could work favorably to the Japanese
economy.
In implementing the reform policy, which he inherited from his
predecessor Koizumi, Abe only partially modified it. One reason for
the LDP defeat in the Upper House election is social disparities
between urban and rural districts. A similar point has been made in
the LDP.
TOKYO 00004281 005 OF 010
If the next prime minister presses ahead with an effort to make
public finances healthy, while correcting excessive market
principles without scattering about pork-barrel largesse, he would
be able to win high scores from the public and the market. The
nation will need a leader who can talk about a consumption tax hike
with confidence in the future.
Doha Round
Another concern is that Japan's influence on multilateral talks
(Doha Round) at the World Trade Organization (WTO) will decline. Abe
during the APEC forum summit held in Sydney, Australia, Aug. 8-9
expressed to participants his political resolve to reach an
agreement within the year. However, his resignation as well as the
string of the replacements of agricultural ministers are certain to
deal a blow to the trade policy.
Economic, Trade and Industry Minister (METI) Akira Amari on Sept. 12
told reporters, "All we can do is to have the meaning of the prime
minister's resignation understood." However, personal ties with the
other party holds the major key in trade talks, as a senior METI
official put it. It could be difficult for a new administration to
have Japan's negotiation partners understand its position right
after the beginning.
The head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
(MOFA) has been replaced successively after the suicide of
Agriculture Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka in May. Even the vice
minister was replaced on Sept. 7. Some in the ministry lamented,
"When can we work in peace?"
MAFF has many issues to deal with, including easing conditions for
importing US beef, reviewing the farmland system and WTO talks. It
is also of urgent necessity to restore trust in MAFF, which has been
damaged due to the criticism it came under over subsidies.
Agriculture Minister Wakabayashi on Sept. 12 stated, "Those pending
issues will not immediately halt agricultural administration."
However, there is strong concern about such a possibility.
Wakabayashi, who took office on Sept. 4, is still receiving
briefings on pending issues from various bureaus in the ministry. If
a sixth minister takes office, MOFA has to establish a system from
scratch. One senior official criticized Abe, "The resignation of
Vice Agriculture Minister Yoshio Kobayashi for a fresh start of the
ministry will be wasted. Prime Minister Abe is irresponsible."
(4) Emergency roundtable on Prime Minister Abe's decision to step
down -- a political crisis that requires public vote (Part 1)
MAINICHI (Page 4) (Abridged)
September 13, 2007
? Jun Iio, professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy
Studies
? Atsushi Kusano, professor, Keio University
? Takakazu Matsuda, senior writer, Mainichi Shimbun
Background
-- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe abruptly announced his decision to step
down. What was your reaction, and in your view, what caused him to
TOKYO 00004281 006 OF 010
do so?
Kusano: It took me by total surprise. He could have done so after
his crushing defeat after the July Upper House election, or before
shuffling his cabinet. It is utterly irresponsible to announce his
intention to step down soon after delivering his policy address and
before Diet interpellations kick off. He simply plans to throw away
everything.
Iio: I was shocked. It was just unbelievable. At the same time, it
made me realize that such a person has been serving as the prime
minister. He shouldn't have decided to resign, no matter what. His
answers to the questions during the press conference yesterday, in
which he officially announced his decision to step down, were
somewhat illogical. It was appalling to know that a person like him
who is incapable of holding the reins of government has been serving
as the prime minister.
Matsuda: There was a view even within the cabinet that the days of
the Abe administration were numbered, so I thought his
administration would probably come to an end before the end of the
year -- but not so abruptly. He announced his decision like fleeing
before the enemy lines. He has been ignoring the general public. He
decided to stay in power by ignoring the public. He again decided to
step down by ignoring the public.
Kusano: Not only Abe but also all LDP lawmakers are to blame. After
all, it was the LDP lawmakers that elected Abe as their president a
year ago, expecting him to behave like his predecessor, Junichiro
Koizumi, who had a rare talent for dealing with the media.
-- As reasons for his resignation, Prime Minister Abe cited DPJ
President Ichiro Ozawa's rejection of talks with him and the need to
turn around the political situation for an extension of the
refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. What is the real reason?
Iio: He first cited Japan's failure to keep its international
pledge. His resignation would reduce Japan's chances to deliver on
that pledge, for the next LDP president will not necessarily
advocate the same policy. In order to break the impasse, Abe could
have announced his decision a lot earlier, but he didn't. So my
guess is that the real reason was personal -- he just wanted to call
it quits.
I want to know since when he has been harboring that desire, because
it is a matter of collective responsibility. When the country's top
leader loses his mental balance under the parliamentary cabinet
system, people around him should advise him to step down. Those
around Abe should also be blamed.
Masuda: He has failed to live up to his own words -- what he calls
his international pledge. Realizing that he won't be able to deliver
on it, he has decided to step down all by himself.
Iio: Abe repeatedly played up the importance of the Antiterrorism
Law. If he really meant it, he could have introduced a bill to
extend the law in the previous Diet session and have it passed. He
should have called an extraordinary Diet session right after the
July Upper House election without shuffling his cabinet and
immediately presented an Antiterrorism Law extension bill. Both
extending the existing law and enacting new legislation have become
difficult with his resignation.
TOKYO 00004281 007 OF 010
Kusano: Regarding the question of politics and money, Abe pledged to
mandate all lawmakers to attach receipts for expenditures over 1 yen
to their political funds reports. This may never happen because it
is drawing fire even from within the LDP. Abe promised so many
things that are unlikely to be put into action.
Matsuda: Pension is one of them. He declared to complete
crosschecking the unidentified pension records in a year. He has
decided to throw up the three challenges -- politics and money, the
pension, and the Antiterrorism Law -- that must be thoroughly
discussed in the ongoing extraordinary Diet session.
Iio: He has decided not only to step down but also destroyed the
foundations for the three challenges. The lawmakers might have to
start from scratch. What would happen to the campaign pledges if the
next prime minister decides to ignore them? This is no longer a
crisis for the LDP; it is a crisis for Japanese politics.
-- Did Abe show any sings of his intention to resign?
Matsuda: Behind Secretary General Aso's strong leadership in the
party and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yosano's dominance in the cabinet,
I sensed their intention to reduce Abe's influence. For instance,
Abe retired early yesterday reportedly due to a cold. Yosano then
called in persons concerned to discuss ways to extend the Indian
Ocean mission. It pointed to an envisaged political scene without
Abe.
Kusano: I hear that during his tenure as chief cabinet secretary,
Abe often lost his tempter regarding the scrap-and-build
reorganization of the state-owned financial institutions. According
to a senior Foreign Ministry official, Abe was elated during the
Japan-US and Japan-Australia summits on the sidelines of the recent
APEC forum. President Bush highly evaluated Japan's refueling
mission, and Abe promised Japan's continued commitment. But the
conclusion reached through the talks last night among Yosano and
others was that re-adoption of new legislation in the Lower House
would be difficult. Abe won't be able to deliver on his personal
pledge, and that prompted him to throw up everything. I think this
can explain his behavior.
Iio: Even if re-adoption is not possible, he should pull the ruling
coalition together. He has the power to dissolve the Lower House. He
could use it to ask for a public vote of confidence in his
administration. He seems to lack what it takes to be the nation's
top leader.
Matsuda: In a meeting last Thursday with newspaper editorial
writers, he lacked aggressiveness, repeating the same thing over and
over.
Kusano: In explaining Abe's decision, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yosano
cited his health problem.
Iio: This is a political crisis. We need to know the truth. If Abe
has a health problem, he should conduct Diet interpellations, as
planned, and explain clearly why he decided call it quits at this
point.
(5) Collapse of Abe administration (Part 1): Abe lacks competence
required of prime minister
TOKYO 00004281 008 OF 010
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full)
September 13, 2007
A plenary session of the House of Representatives was scheduled to
start at 13:00 yesterday. Although the first bell usually rings ten
minutes before the start of a session, it didn't yesterday.
Only a limited number of senior Liberal Democratic Party members,
such as Secretary General Taro Aso and Diet Affairs Committee
Chairman Tadamori Oshima, had been informed of the reason why the
bell didn't ring. About ten minutes later, many lawmakers learned of
the unprecedented new that the prime minister would resign just
before representative interpellations at a House of Representatives
plenary session.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe secretly conveyed his intention to resign
to Aso for the first time when they met in private on the evening of
Sept. 10.
About two hours before meeting with Aso, the prime minister
delivered policy speeches at both houses' plenary sessions, in which
he said: "I would like to engage in state affairs while deeply
reflecting on causing public distrust in politics." On Sept. 9, he
categorically said in a press conference in Sydney, "I will stake my
job" on extending the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling
mission in the Indian Ocean.
Immediately after expressing this determination, he announced that
he would resign as prime minister. It is hard to understand why.
The five LDP executive officers rushed to the Prime Minister's
Office (Kantei) just before the prime minister's press conference
starting at 2:00 pm yesterday to announce his decision to step down.
House of Councillors Caucus Chairman Hidehisa Otsuji asked Abe why
he decided to resign at this time and tried to dissuade him from
resigning, saying: "You should not make a decision on your own. Your
decision will affect the entire nation." His words represented the
feelings of many LDP members and people. But no clear-cut reply came
from the prime minister.
As pointed out by Chief Cabinet Secretary Kaoru Yosano, there may be
some health problem. The prime minister was seen eating only rice
gruel during a study session for his policy speech. Later, he
reportedly survived somehow by receiving an intravenous drip. On
Sept. 11, Upper House member Hiroshige Seko (former special advisor
to t he prime minister), an close aide to the prime minister,
secretly visited the Kantei and tried to encourage him, but Abe
SIPDIS
reportedly made no response. The prime minister was certainly in an
extreme situation both physically and mentally.
Even so, since his responsibility as the head of one nation is
heavy, Prime Minister Abe unavoidably has been exposed to criticism
for his decision to abandon his duty at this time. Not only
opposition members but also LDP members denounce him as
irresponsible.
The prime minister entered the Kantei last September, carrying the
burden of public "expectations" on him for his youth and freshness.
Such expectations, though, soon changed into "anxiety" and
"disappointment." The lack of explanation and the inability to make
a decisive decision are cited as the main reasons for the change in
TOKYO 00004281 009 OF 010
public feelings.
Why is it necessary to revise the Constitution? Why does the
government need to reform the civil-servant system? Why doesn't he
resign although the LDP was defeated in the Upper House? Why doesn't
he reshuffle the cabinet?
The prime minister gave no proper replies to the questions posed to
him. His decisions also lacked principle.
Why did he decide to put an end to his administration now? His
decision to leave office hit the nation like a bolt from the blue.
This was a symbolic event of the administration.
Prime Minister Abe often says that history will evaluate
politicians. As of Sept. 12, we have to give a harsh evaluation to
Prime Minister Abe. He is judged as lacking competence required of a
prime minister.
(6) Prime Minister Abe to be hospitalized for at least 3-4 days at
Keio Hospital
MAINICHI ONLINE NEWS (Full)
September 13, 2007, 14:30 p.m.
Physicians at Keio Hospital (at Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward) held a press
briefing this afternoon to announce the results of their check up of
Prime Minister Abe, who yesterday announced his intention to resign.
Norifumi Hibi, the physician in charge and a professor of internal
medicine at the hospital, explained: "The prime minister is totally
exhausted. He has lost some five kilograms over several months. He
is suffering from a functional gastrointestinal disorder. If the
symptoms become worse, it will hinder his daily life." The physician
added, "The prime minister needs to be hospitalized for at least
three to four days."
Earlier in the day, Abe underwent a medical checkup at the hospital.
He expressed his intension to attend a general meeting of his
Liberal Democratic Party's Diet members of both the chambers slated
for this afternoon, but a team of doctors judged it would be
difficult for him to do so. As a result, Abe gave up on attending
the meeting.
(7) Protection of lifeline for oil transport
SANKEI (Page 1) (Excerpts)
September 13, 2007
Keiichi Takagi
The Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) has been engaged in the
refueling mission in the Indian Ocean under the Antiterrorism
Special Measures Law, which expires on Nov. 1. This mission is of
great significance in the sense that Japan has taken part in the
international joint operations against terrorism. As the
multinational force's performance, a source familiar with Japan-US
military affairs revealed that the multinational force's vessels
have interdicted eight cases of piracy until now. Although the
MSDF's refueling mission has not been a direct help to prevent
international terrorist group al-Qaeda and the Taliban -- the
primary target of the antiterrorism operations -- from transporting
their weapons and narcotics and to capture them, the MSDF's another
TOKYO 00004281 010 OF 010
important role of playing a part in the defense of the (Japanese)
sea lanes has been proven.
Japan depends on marine transportation of its energy resources, such
as oil and minerals. According to the Natural Resources and Energy
Agency, Japan imports 90 PERCENT of its oil from the Middle East,
and "All oil is transported by large tankers to Japan via the Indian
Ocean." Keeping the Indian Ocean safe is an important task for Japan
in terms of energy security.
The MSDF's participation in the antiterrorism tactic in the Indian
Ocean by refueling other countries' vessels has contributed to
containing pirates operating behind the scenes for looting in the
ocean leading to the Straits of Malacca. In this regard, a
government official stressed: "It has fully served Japan's national
interests."
SCHIEFFER