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 08TOKYO713, JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 03/18/08
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. #08TOKYO713.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08TOKYO713 | 2008-03-18 00:57 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Tokyo |
VZCZCXRO7414
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #0713/01 0780057
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 180057Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2611
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAWJA/USDOJ WASHDC PRIORITY
RULSDMK/USDOT WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5//
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI
RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA//
RHMFIUU/USFJ //J5/JO21//
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA
RUAYJAA/CTF 72
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 9072
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 6680
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 0353
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 5186
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 7284
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2248
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 8295
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 8865
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 TOKYO 000713
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: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 03/18/08
Index:
1) Top headlines
2) Editorials
3) Prime Minister's daily schedule (Nikkei)
Opinion poll:
4) Cabinet support slips 4.8 points to 33.9 PERCENT in Yomiuri
poll, with non-support rate at 54 PERCENT ; Most people critical of
DPJ's handling of BOJ governor issue (Yomiuri)
5) LDP Secretary General Ibuki attributes cabinet's low support
rates to perception of lack of leadership (Tokyo Shimbun)
Diet in chaos:
6) Host nation support budget also being affected by gridlock in the
Diet between ruling and opposition camps (Yomiuri)
7) Chaos reigns in the Diet as Prime Minister Fukuda finds his hands
tied on finding a new candidate for Bank of Japan governor
(Mainichi)
8) Government to delay submission of name of candidate for BOJ
governor's post (Asahi)
9) Likely now that the post of BOJ governor will be vacant for a
while (Mainichi)
10) Shirakawa may become the acting BOJ governor for a while
(Nikkei)
11) Anxiety rises in the Fukuda administration, which is finding it
impossible to steer policy due to Democratic Party of Japan
intransigence on every issue (Yomiuri)
12) LDP finding it difficult to submit revised tax-related bills,
unable to see DPJ's area of compromise (Mainichi)
13) Unlikely that revised tax bills will be passed by end of fiscal
year at end of March (Nikkei)
14) Tibetan riots not likely to affect Chinese President Hu's visit
to Japan (Yomiuri)
Articles:
1) TOP HEADLINES
Asahi:
Financial crisis from U.S. (Part 1): U.S. economy remains tense
Mainichi & Yomiuri
With government unable to name new BOJ governor, BOJ governor post
likely to be left vacant
Nikkei:
Nippon Oil to acquire 7th-ranked wholesaler Kyushu Oil possibly in
October
Sankei & Akahata:
Dollar briefly drops to 95 yen over credit fears; Nikkei index
closes below 12,000
Tokyo Shimbun:
Highway construction projects questioned (Part 1): Isolated villages
put on backburner
2) EDITORIALS
TOKYO 00000713 002 OF 011
Asahi:
(1) 5th anniversary of start of Iraq war: How to overcome total
failure
Mainichi:
(1) Prime minister, DPJ should be humble about nomination of BOJ
governor
(2) Low stock prices and declining dollar urging U.S. government's
decision
Yomiuri:
(1) Vacancy in BOJ governor post unallowable
(2) China's ethnic policies led to Tibet riots
Nikkei:
(1) Vacancy in BOJ governor post during financial emergency
unforgivable
Sankei:
(1) Party heads must break stalemate in appointment of BOJ governor
(2) Under international supervision, shed light on truth about Tibet
riots
Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) New BOJ governor should be nominated as quickly as possible
(2) Can feelings of the poor be felt by second-generation leaders in
China?
Akahata:
(1) Shortage of manpower of welfare services: Improvement in labor
conditions urgent
3) Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)
Prime Minister's schedule, March 17
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
March 18, 2008
09:40
Wrote his name in the visitors' book at the residence of Prince
Tomohito, who is now in the hospital.
10:01
Met with Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura, followed by Assistant
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Saka.
11:00
Met with Gunma Prefecture Governor Osawa, followed by Vice
Environment Minister Tamura and Resources and Energy Agency Director
General Mochizuki.
12:30
Government and ruling parties liaison council meeting. Then met with
Finance Minister Nukaga.
13:47
Met with Special Advisor to the Cabinet Okuda.
14:37
Met with National Police Agency Director General Yoshimura.
TOKYO 00000713 003 OF 011
15:02
Met with Saka and Comprehensive Maritime Policy Administrative
Office chief Oba. Then met with Defense Ministry Defense Policy
Bureau Director General Takamizawa and Defense Intelligence
Headquarters chief Mukunoki and Cabinet Intelligence Director
Mitani.
16:02
Met with Mitani, followed by State Minister for Economic and Fiscal
Policy Ota, Cabinet Office Policy Officers Fujioka and Matsumoto.
Ota remained.
17:04
LDP executive meeting in the Diet.
18:04
Met with Peruvian President Garcia. Then signed a joint statement
and held press conference.
19:17
Banquet hosted by Prime Minister Fukuda.
20:44
Arrived at the official residence.
4) Poll: Cabinet support down to 34 PERCENT
YOMIURI (Page 1) (Abridged)
March 18, 2008
The approval rating for Prime Minister Fukuda and his cabinet fell
4.8 percentage points from February to 33.9 PERCENT in a
face-to-face nationwide public opinion survey conducted by the
Yomiuri Shimbun on Mar. 15-16. The disapproval rating for the Fukuda
cabinet was 54.0 PERCENT , up 3.2 points. The Fukuda cabinet's
nonsupport rate hit an all-time high since it came into office.
Those who do not support the Fukuda cabinet were asked to pick up to
two reasons. In response, 48 PERCENT answered that they cannot
appreciate its political stance, topping all other answers. Among
other answers, "nothing can be expected of its economic policy"
accounted for 38 PERCENT , followed by "'it's unstable" at 27
PERCENT .
Respondents were also asked if they thought the government dealt
appropriately with the recent collision of a Maritime Self-Defense
Force Aegis destroyer with a fishing boat that has left its two
crewmen missing. To this question, 74 PERCENT answered "no."
The current additional rate of provisional taxation on gasoline is
to expire at the end of March. In the survey, respondents were asked
if they thought it would be better to continue this additional gas
taxation after that. To this question, "yes" accounted for 27
PERCENT , down 2 points from February, with "no" at 64 PERCENT , up
2 points.
Meanwhile, the government has asked the Diet to approve its proposal
to promote Bank of Japan Vice Governor Toshiro Muto to the post of
BOJ governor. However, the leading opposition Democratic Party of
Japan (Minshuto) disagreed. In this regard, respondents were asked
if they supported the DPJ's decision. To this question, "very much"
and "somewhat" totaled no more than 25 PERCENT , with "not very
TOKYO 00000713 004 OF 011
much" and "not at all" adding up to 59 PERCENT .
In the breakdown of public support for political parties, the ruling
Liberal Democratic Party leveled off at 33.1 PERCENT , up 0.5
points. However, the DPJ dropped 2.4 points to 17.6 PERCENT .
5) LDP Secretary General Ibuki: "Plummeting support rates due to
lack of leadership"
TOKYO (Page 2) (Full)
March 18, 2008
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Ibuki yesterday at
a press conference made this comment about the trend of falling
support rates for the Fukuda Cabinet in every opinion poll: "The
major reason for the lack of support is probably because the
perception of a lack of leadership." In his view, the public are
harboring doubts about the Prime Minister's leadership.
Ibuki, having in mind such factors as the lopsided Diet where the
opposition camp controls the Upper House making it difficult to
select the governor of the Bank of Japan, pointed out: "Since our
camp does not have a majority in the Upper House, we cannot smoothly
steer the government. Looking at it from the eyes of the public, the
situation is a mess. Under the current situation in the Upper House,
it would be the same no matter who was in charge."
6) Sympathy budget to expire shortly
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Abridged)
March 18, 2008
The standoff between the ruling and opposition parties in the
divided Diet, where the ruling camp controls the lower chamber and
the opposition camp dominates the upper chamber, is casting a shadow
on Japan's foreign relations.
On the morning of Mar. 13, the leading opposition Democratic Party
of Japan (Minshuto) held a meeting of its foreign affairs and
defense division. In the meeting, DPJ lawmakers focused their
discussion on the propriety of a special agreement for a three-year
extension of Japan's host nation support for the stationing of U.S.
forces in Japan ("omoiyari yosan" or literally "sympathy budget").
"Why do we have to take care of such a thing," one DPJ member said.
"This is even more terrible than the road-related tax revenues,"
another participant said.
In the meeting, a senior official of the Defense Ministry explained
the breakdown of personnel costs for Japanese employees who are
working at U.S. military bases on the Japanese government's sympathy
budget payroll. DPJ lawmakers voiced their criticism.
The Defense Ministry revealed spending related to recreational
facilities for the U.S. military, including 76 bartenders (annual
average income at 4.31 million), 47 golf course maintenance workers
(4.25 million yen), and 14 recreation specialists (4.51 million
yen).
In the sympathy budget's past two extensions, the DPJ called for
eliminating wasteful spending. Even so, the DPJ agreed to extend it,
taking the position that the Japan-U.S. relationship is the most
TOKYO 00000713 005 OF 011
important bilateral relationship. This time, however, Keiichiro
Asao, the defense minister in the DPJ's shadow cabinet, implied the
DPJ's intention to raise an objection. "I'm not saying Japan will do
anything just because there is a request from the U.S.," Asao said.
The special agreement is a kind of treaty, and the House of
Representatives' decision comes before the House of Councillors'
decision under the Constitution. It will come into effect within 30
days after the House of Representatives' approval. However, the Diet
has yet to enter into deliberations in the aftermath of
confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties.
The special agreement, as well as the current rate of provisional
taxation on gasoline, is to expire at the end of the current fiscal
year. After that, the Japanese government's spending, such as
personnel costs and utilities charges, will lose its legal grounds.
One senior Defense Ministry official said, "We would have to ask the
United States to pay for the time being."
7) Prime Minister Fukuda faces stalemate over appointment of new BOJ
governor
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Full)
March 18, 2008
Yoshiaki Nakagawa, Katsumi Kawakami
With the incumbent Bank of Japan (BOJ) governor's term of office set
to expire on March 19, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda yesterday sounded
out the major opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) about the
idea of keeping incumbent Governor Toshihiko Fukui and Deputy
Governor Toshiro Muto in their posts instead of promoting Muto to
the governor's post. But the DPJ refused to accept this proposal.
Despite turmoil in the market over the yen appreciation and falling
stock prices, Fukuda allowed one day to go to waste without being
able to formally present any breakthrough measure. It is becoming
more likely that the governor's post will be left vacant.
"It is not that I did so to create a vacuum." Making this comment
to the press yesterday evening, Fukuda revealed his frustration as
the term of the incumbent BOJ governor is to expire shortly.
The idea Fukuda showed to the DPJ was to not appoint someone new to
the BOJ's top position. According to an informed source, Fukuda's
proposal to the DPJ was a two-step concept. Specifically, the
government would (1) formally reappoint incumbent BOJ Governor Fukui
as governor for another five years and (2) keeping Fukui in the post
on a provisional basis by extending his term of office as BOJ
governor by amending the BOJ Law.
According to some in the government and the ruling parties, this
proposal implied that Fukuda still dwelled on the idea of appointing
Muto as BOJ governor, given that he had openly stated that the
proposal would be "the best of all." The proposal would leave room
to appoint Muto as BOJ chief in the future as long as he remains in
the post of deputy governor, even if Fukui were to stay on as BOJ
chief because his remaining in the post is seen as a provisional
measure.
Because of the DPJ's opposition to the proposal, the government and
the ruling camp decided not to formally present it to the Diet
yesterday. If the proposal to reappoint Fukui as BOJ governor is
TOKYO 00000713 006 OF 011
rejected in the Upper House, the post of BOJ governor will be left
vacant on March 19. In the Upper House, the DPJ and other opposition
parties are certain to oppose the idea of revising the BOJ Law so as
to provisionally extend Fukui's term of office. In order to revise
the BOJ Law, the ruling bloc needs to take a re-vote on the idea in
the Lower House, but given that the deliberations on tax revenues
for road projects are coming to a climax in the Diet, this situation
will likely force Fukuda to have a full showdown with the opposition
bloc with his course of action at stake.
If the post of BOJ governor is left vacant, Masaaki Shirakawa, whose
appointment as deputy BOJ governor has been confirmed, will act as
governor, but if that happens, Fukuda will be certain to see his
grip on power weaken.
In the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei), the staff is
looking for a "third candidate," but this effort seems to have hit a
snag. According to a senior ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
member, the staff for Fukuda informally sounded out Masayuki Oku,
president of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and chairman of the
Japanese Bankers Association, about the idea of assuming the post of
BOJ governor, but Oku refused.
8) Vacancy in BOJ governor post highly likely as government puts off
presenting new candidate to Diet
ASAHI (Page 1) (Excerpts)
March 18, 2008
The government yesterday postponed presenting to the Diet its new
candidate to replace Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui, whose
term in office will expire tomorrow. The government yesterday
sounded out the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or
Minshuto) about altering its initial candidate, Deputy Governor
Toshiro Muto, for the BOJ governor post, which had been rejected by
the House of Councillors, while retaining Muto in his current post.
However, the government failed to obtain consent on its proposal
from the DPJ. The possibility has now become stronger that the top
job at the central bank will be vacant. If that is the case, Masaaki
Shirakawa, a professor at Kyoto University graduate school, the
nomination of who was approved by the two Diet chambers as a new
deputy governor, will serve as the BOJ governor (until the new
governor is appointed).
From Sunday night to Monday, on the behalf of Prime Minister Yasuo
Fukuda, Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Bunmei Ibuki and
Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Tadamori Oshima telephoned DPJ
Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama to sound out the opposition party
SIPDIS
about reappointing Fukui or Muto. Yesterday afternoon, Ibuki called
Hatoyama and told him: "If Muto is retained in his present post, the
new governor might be chosen from business leaders." However, the
ruling camp never mentioned the name of a business leader.
Therefore, this nomination idea came to nothing.
The reason why the LDP proposed keeping Muto in his current post is
that Fukuda has not changed his view that Muto is the best choice.
Fukuda's pet opinion is that cooperation between fiscal and monetary
sectors is indispensable for suitable economic management. He is
concerned that whether the central bank can be managed well only by
BOJ officials and academics, excluding Muto, a former administrative
vice finance minister, who is well versed in financial affairs.
TOKYO 00000713 007 OF 011
If the government's nominations are again rejected, the political
base of the Fukuda government will be greatly shaken. Fukuda wants
the DPJ's guarantee if he completely excludes Muto from his
nomination list of the BOJ governor and a deputy governor. However,
since he cannot see thorough how the DPJ will act, he becomes
increasingly doubtful and suspicious about the largest opposition
party.
9) Government unable to present new nomination for BOJ governor to
Diet before March 17; BOJ governorship likely to be left unfilled
MAINICHI (Top play) (Abridged slightly)
March 18, 2008
The government and ruling camp gave up yesterday on a plan to submit
to the Diet that same day a nomination for the successor to Bank of
Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui, whose term expires on March 19. In
the wake of the disapproval by the Upper House of a plan to promote
Deputy BOJ Governor Toshiro Muto, a former vice-finance minister, to
the top BOJ post, the government and ruling bloc began coordination
with the Democratic Party of Japan before presenting another plan to
the Diet. But they eventually decided that obtaining the party's
understanding that day was difficult. A senior official admitted
last night that the government might not be able to present a
nomination to the Diet before March 19. The view is gaining ground
in the government and ruling bloc that creating a vacuum in the BOJ
governorship will be inevitable.
Following the DPJ's rejection of a plan to keep Fukui as BOJ
governor and Muto as deputy governor, Lower House steering committee
chairman Takashi Sasagawa and his Upper House counterpart Takeo
Nishioka discussed yesterday a response to a possible presentation
of a new list of nominees by the government. With the expiration of
Fukui's tenure near at hand, they requested the government to make a
final decision by 6:00 p.m. In response, the government replied
last evening that presenting a new plan within the day was
difficult.
Last-ditch negotiations are likely to continue today between the
ruling and opposition camps. The focus is whether or not the
government and ruling bloc can coordinate views with the DPJ before
a start of formal procedures for Diet approval on the matter. The
government seems to have difficulty finding Muto's replacement.
If the presentation of a new plan slips to March 18 or later, a
failure to obtain approval of the both houses of the Diet by March
19 would end up creating a vacancy in the BOJ governorship. In such
a case, Kyoto University Professor Masaaki Shirakawa, who has been
endorsed by the two Diet chambers to become a new BOJ deputy
governor, will serve as acting BOJ governor.
DPJ Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama yesterday criticized the
government's response, saying: "Determining the new BOJ governor by
March 19 has now effectively become impossible. What is the
government doing?" Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda commented
to reporters at his office last night: "The matter cannot be decided
by the ruling camp and the government alone. Any nomination could be
voted down in the Diet. We have to handle the matter carefully." The
prime minister admitted that the government is unable to read the
DPJ's moves.
TOKYO 00000713 008 OF 011
10) Scenario of "Acting governor Shirakawa" taking on realistic
touch ahead of expiration of incumbent's term tomorrow; Government
to be pressed with tight schedule
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
March 18, 2008
The government yesterday postponed presenting to the Diet a plan for
nominating new candidates for the posts of governor and deputy
governor at the Bank of Japan (BOJ). If it wants to appoint a new
governor by March 19, when the term of office of incumbent governor
and vice governor expires, the government will be pressed with an
extremely tight schedule.
In appointing a new governor and deputy governors, the following
process is taken: The government first presents candidates' names to
the ruling and opposition parties; the steering committees of the
two houses of the Diet hold hearings with the candidates regarding
their policy stances and then question-and-answer sessions; and then
both Diet chambers take votes in their plenary sessions. If the
government submits a new plan today, there will be these only two
options, in order to obtain Diet approval before the incumbents'
term of office runs out: (1) Holding hearings on the 18th and
plenary sessions on the 19th; or (2) holding hearings and plenary
sessions on the 19th. Either way, the government will be pressed
with a tight schedule.
11) Appointment of new BOJ governor: Concerns mounting about
difficulty in managing administration and prime minister's declining
grip on administration
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Excerpts)
March 18, 2008
The government has decided to postpone the presentation of its
nomination for the successor to Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko
Fukui until March 18 or later. Given the situation, a sense of alarm
is growing in the government, with one person saying, "Prime
Minister Fukuda will find it even more difficult to run his
administration." Support rates for the Fukuda cabinet are tumbling
due to the pension record mess and the recent collision of an Aegis
destroyer. If the "control tower" of the nation's monetary policy
remains vacant due to the government's failure to determine the new
BOJ governor by March 19, the Fukuda administration will suffer a
serious blow.
In a recent Yomiuri Shimbun opinion poll, the rate of support for
the Fukuda cabinet dropped below 35 PERCENT .
Asked by reporters for any means to boost his support rate, Prime
Minister Yasuo Fukuda said last night: "I am not aiming at such a
thing. I will just do things steadily as necessary."
LDP Secretary General Ibuki took the following view last evening on
the plummeting support rate: "(The prime minister) has not been able
to run the administration smoothly because the ruling coalition does
not hold a majority in the Upper House. The public thinks that his
administration is slow to take action and that (the prime minister)
lacks leadership. The question of determining the new Bank of Japan
governor must be settled early."
In addition to the subject of the BOJ governorship, the provisional
TOKYO 00000713 009 OF 011
gasoline tax rate expires on March 31. Despite that, there is no
prospect for talks between the ruling and opposition camps on
revising tax-related bills. The provisionally high gasoline tax rate
declining to a lower level on April 1 is now becoming a real
possibility.
A midlevel LDP lawmaker said: "I'm concerned that voters will regard
the prime minister as a person who cannot decide on anything and he
will lose his grip on the administration." Some in the government
and ruling bloc have again begun speaking of a "March crisis" for
the Fukuda administration.
12) Provisional gas tax rate: LDP having difficulty drafting
revision plan, unable to find common settlement line with DPJ
MAINICHI (Page 5) (Full)
March 13, 2008
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is having difficulty revising the
bill amending the Special Tax Measures Law, which incorporates an
extension of the provisional rate applied to the gasoline tax.
Policy Research Council Chairman Sadakazu Taniguchi, who is acting
as a point of contact with the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or
Minshuto), yesterday met with Election Committee Chairman Makoto
Koga, a key member of the road policy clique in the Diet, and
General Council Chairman Toshihiro Nikai to vet the situation. They
found that it would be extremely difficult to respond to the DPJ's
call to abolish the provisional rate. While a cut in gasoline prices
looking like it may become reality in April, the LDP leadership is
forced to undergo cliff-hanger coordination.
Emerging from the talks with Koga, Tanigaki indicated hopes to see
this issue make a soft-landing, noting, "We shared the sense of
crisis that we must survive March 31." Tanigaki also met with former
Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and former Chairman Mikio Aoki of the
LDP Caucus in the Upper House Mikio Aoki. They agreed on the need to
throw a pitch of some compromise to the DPJ, but failed to work out
specifics.
If the Upper House refuses to put the amendment bill to a vote, the
Lower House cannot revote on it. Should that occur, the price of
gasoline will be lowered by approximately 25 yen per liter - the
portion of the provisional rate, starting on April 1. In the event
of the Upper House refuses to take a roll call on the bill, the
government and the ruling parties, out of the need to secure fiscal
resources, plan to extend the provisional rate, by voting on the
bill once again in late April, based on the article of the
Constitution stipulating that if the Upper House makes a decision
different from that of the Lower House, the bill becomes a law when
passed a second time by the Lower House. However, railroading a bill
that is directly related to the household budget would deal a major
blow to the LDP in terms of public opinion, according to a person
who served as cabinet minister.
The LDP is discussing the possibility of shortening the scope of the
extension of the provisional rate from 10 years to five years and
reducing the amount of investment secured in the mid-term road
consolidation plan from the currently proposed 59 trillion yen. No
views supporting a cut in the provisional tax rate, which will lead
to a change to the fiscal 2008 budget, have been floated.
Tanigaki yesterday evening conferred on the revision issue with New
TOKYO 00000713 010 OF 011
Komeito Policy Research Council Chairman Tetsuo Saito. Saito told
reporters, "The DPJ would not respond, unless we come up with a
proposal drastic enough to win high scores from the public." He thus
indicated his view that it would be absolutely necessary to make a
drastic compromise in order to have the bill enacted before the end
of the current fiscal year. Tanigaki and Saito agreed on the
possibility of the ruling party drafting a revision plan and
submitting it to the DPJ. However, no prospect for a revision plan
has yet to come into view.
13) DPJ refuses deliberations on highway-related bill, making it
difficult to secure Diet approval within fiscal year
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
March 18, 2008
It now seems difficult for the government and the ruling camp to
enact a bill amending the Special Taxation Measures Law, which
includes a measure to extend the current provisional
highway-construction tax rates, by the end of this fiscal year as
they had planned. The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is apparently
aiming to press the government to dissolve the House of
Representatives for a snap election, taking advantage of the
expiration of the provisional tax rates at the end of March.
In a meeting of the House of Councillors Diet Affairs Committee
chairmen of the Liberal Democratic Party and the DPJ held in the
Diet Building yesterday, the LDP suggested holding hearings with the
relevant cabinet ministers regarding their policy stances on the
18th, a premise for starting deliberations on the tax legislation,
but the DPJ turned it down. Deliberations were essentially postponed
to next week or later.
The DPJ yesterday distributed to all members copies of a written
request, under the name of Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Kenji
Yamaoka, urging them to make thoroughgoing preparations for a
possible Lower House election.
Meanwhile, LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Sadakazu Tanigaki
yesterday started work to coordinate views in the party on a draft
amendment that the ruling camp plans to complete within this week.
As part of efforts to find common ground with the DPJ, Tanigaki held
a meeting with senior members of the road-policy clique in the Diet,
such as Election Committee Chairman Makoto Koga and Executive
Council Chairman Toshihiro Nikai, as well as with the DPJ with
former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and former Upper House Chairman
Mikio Aoki. The meeting, however, ended up with the four just
expressing cautious views about drastically amending the bill, with
no substantive discussion conducted on specifics.
14) Japan concerned about impact of riots on Chinese president's
planned visit to Japan
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full)
March 18, 2008
Protests against China set off by riots in Lhasa of the Tibet
Autonomous Region are spreading around the world. The Japanese
government is concerned about the possible impact of the protests on
the planned visit to Japan by Chinese President Hu Jintao.
At a news conference yesterday, Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji
TOKYO 00000713 011 OF 011
Yabunaka, speaking of the possible impact of the riots on the
planned visit to Japan by the Chinese president, emphasized:
"Basically, the riots have nothing to do with the visit." The
Japanese and Chinese governments plan to formally announce President
Hu's visit to Japan possibly by the end of the week. The two
governments are making arrangements to set the visit at May 6 or 7.
An official familiar with Japan-China negotiations noted: "We don't
want to make waves at this point in time in connection with
relations with China."
SCHIEFFER