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 08TOKYO913, DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04/03/08
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. #08TOKYO913.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08TOKYO913 | 2008-04-03 08:20 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Tokyo |
VZCZCXRO1921
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #0913/01 0940820
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 030820Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3131
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 9441
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 7058
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 0727
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 5504
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 7654
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2613
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 8640
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 9175
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 TOKYO 000913
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR E, P, EB, EAP/J, EAP/P, EAP/PD, PA;
WHITE HOUSE/NSC/NEC; JUSTICE FOR STU CHEMTOB IN ANTI-TRUST DIVISION;
TREASURY/OASIA/IMI/JAPAN; DEPT PASS USTR/PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE;
SECDEF FOR JCS-J-5/JAPAN,
DASD/ISA/EAPR/JAPAN; DEPT PASS ELECTRONICALLY TO USDA
FAS/ITP FOR SCHROETER; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR;
CINCPAC FLT/PA/ COMNAVFORJAPAN/PA.
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 04/03/08
INDEX:
(1) U.S. Ambassador to Japan Schieffer issues a statement of
"heartfelt and deep condolences" in connection with the murder of a
taxi driver in Yokosuka (Sankei)
(2) 22-year old U.S. sailor arrested on charge of robbery and murder
of taxi driver (Yomiuri)
(3) Jijikokkoku (ever-changing scene) column - Murder of taxi driver
in Yokosuka (Part 1): Alliance slows investigation of U.S. sailor
(Asahi)
(4) Jijikokkoku (ever-changing scene) column - Murder of taxi driver
in Yokosuka (Part 2): U.S. military working in close cooperation
with local community especially ahead of planned deployment of
nuclear aircraft career (Asahi)
(5) Jijikokkoku (ever-changing scene) column - Murder of taxi driver
in Yokosuka (Part 3- conclusion): Cause of conflict still remains
with no end of crimes (Asahi)
(6) Editorial: It's taking too long to arrest U.S. sailor (Tokyo
Shimbun)
(7) Arrest of sailor for cab-driver murder: Local residents near
Yokosuka base feel betrayed by U.S. military that appealed for
coexistence (Nikkei)
(8) Arrest of U.S. sailor: Repeated tragedies show ineffectiveness
of measures to prevent incidents from recurring (Tokyo Shimbun)
(9) U.S. to pay for utility fees temporarily following expiration of
sympathy budget (Yomiuri)
(10) Zenchuro criticizes DPJ's response (Yomiuri)
(11) Gov't should make constructive proposal for SOFA revisions to
build healthy alliance with U.S. (Mainichi)
(12) Editorial: DPJ weakening Japan-U.S. alliance (Sankei)
ARTICLES:
(1) U.S. Ambassador to Japan Schieffer issues a statement of
"heartfelt and deep condolences" in connection with the murder of a
taxi driver in Yokosuka
SANKEI ON LINE (Full)
April 3, 2008
In connection with the case of Mr. Masaaki Takahashi, a taxi driver
slain in Yokosuka City in Kanagawa Prefecture, U.S. Ambassador to
Japan Schieffer issued a statement that went: "My heartfelt and deep
condolences go out to the family and friends of Mr. Masaaki
Takahashi." The complete text of the statement follows:
"My heartfelt and deep condolences go out to the family and friends
of Mr. Masaaki Takahashi. His brutal murder is a shock and outrage
to all those who believe in a civilized society. Mr. Takahashi was
only trying to do his job. His murder is a great tragedy for
law-abiding citizens everywhere. The Embassy of the United States is
TOKYO 00000913 002 OF 012
closely following the investigation and will cooperate in any way
possible with Japanese authorities so that the murderer of Mr.
Takahashi can be brought to justice."
Ambassador Schieffer this afternoon will meet with Foreign Minister
Masahiko Koumura, and then accompanied by U.S. Navy Commander Adm.
Kelly, visit the Yokosuka City Hall, where the two will meet the
mayor and formally apologize for the incident.
(2) 22-year old U.S. sailor arrested on charge of robbery and murder
of taxi driver
YOMIURI ON LINE (Full)
April 3, 2008
Kanagawa prefectural police today arrested seaman apprentice
Olatunbosun Ugbogu (22), a Nigerian who is stationed at Yokosuka
Naval Base, for the murder in Yokosuka City of Masaaki Takahashi
(then 61), a taxi driver from Shinagawa-ku in Tokyo. Since Ugbogu
was in the custody of U.S. forces on the crime of desertion, the
Japanese government asked for the turning over of the suspect prior
to indictment. The handing over was done the same day, since the
agreement of the U.S. side had been obtained.
(3) Jijikokkoku (ever-changing scene) column - Murder of taxi driver
in Yokosuka (Part 1): Alliance slows investigation of U.S. sailor
ASAHI (Page 2) (Full)
April 3, 2008
The investigation by Kanagawa police into the murder of a taxi
driver in Yokosuka City finally made some progress yesterday with
the cooperation of the United States military, which had taken the
suspect into custody. Although the U.S. forces, which plans to
deploy a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (at Yokosuka), were
cooperative, the police were unable to question the suspect
immediately after he surfaced as a potential witness. For the
police, the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) continues
to stand as a wall in the way of their investigation.
Japanese police had to wait for the suspect to confess to U.S.
military
The Kanagawa prefectural police asked the U.S. military to allow the
police to question the seaman on the night of April 1, half a day
before actually questioning the seaman.
It was just after the sailor admitted to his involvement in slaying
a taxi driver during the questioning by the U.S. Naval Criminal
Investigative Service (NCIS), and 10 days after the NCIS took him
into custody.
The incident occurred on the night of March 19. The name of the
sailor immediately came up because he had left his credit card in
the cab. Immediately after the incident occurred, the U.S. Navy told
the Yokohama city government that the seaman might have been
involved in the murder.
The sailor deserted from Yokosuka Naval Base on March 8. After the
murder of the taxi driver, the prefectural police searched for his
whereabouts as a potential suspect, while NCIS likewise searched for
him as a deserter.
TOKYO 00000913 003 OF 012
Minutes before 4:00 a.m. of March 22, a cell phone of an official at
the Yokosuka city government's Base Measures Department rang. The
information that the deserter has now been taken into custody came
from a hot line through the cell phone. The caller was a U.S. Navy
officer in charge. The call came a mere 10 minutes after (the U.S.
Navy) had detained the serviceman.
After taking the seaman into custody, the U.S. Navy conveyed to the
prefectural police every detail of the results of the questioning of
the deserter as to what he was doing after deserting from the base
and whether he was involved in the killing. Receiving such materials
from the NCIS as fingerprints of the seaman and the mucous membrane
of his mouth to be used for DNA analysis, the police were engaged in
examining them.
But the police investigation did not progress as they had expected.
No fingerprints of the seaman were detected on the credit card left
in the taxi or on the handle of the kitchen knife used in the
slaying. The police lacked evidence that the seaman had been
involved in the murder.
A senior police investigator noted: "It would be of great help on
our part if the sailor confessed to the NCIS."
The police made efforts to analyze security videotapes installed in
areas around JR Shinagawa Station, where the driver picked up the
last passenger, and records of the cell phone in order to gain
evidence, while keeping a close tab on how the NCIS' questioning of
the serviceman would progress. Meanwhile, the police were carefully
looking for the right timing for them to begin questioning the
seaman.
During the questioning by the NCIS, the sailor admitted to his
involvement in the killing. This helped the police investigation to
move forward significantly. Following the NCIS's questioning, the
police's questioning of the sailor began yesterday. In it, the
sailor admitted to his involvement in the killing.
(4) Jijikokkoku (ever-changing scene) column - Murder of taxi driver
in Yokosuka (Part 2): U.S. military working in close cooperation
with local community especially ahead of planned deployment of
nuclear aircraft career
ASAHI (Page 2) (Full)
April 3, 2008
The United States military is working in close cooperation with
Yokosuka City and the Kanagawa prefectural police on the murder
case. The reason is presumably connected to the U.S. plan to deploy
the USS George Washington to Yokosuka Navy Base in August.
Meanwhile, however, deep-seated apprehensions about the safety of
this nuclear submarine and persistent objections to its deployment
exist in the local community.
The U.S. Navy has deployed aircraft carriers to Yokosuka since 1973.
The carrier has been the cornerstone of the U.S. military's strategy
in the West Pacific. The U.S. Navy wants to minimize local
objections to the deployment of the nuclear carrier so that the ship
will arrive at Yokosuka smoothly. Meanwhile, Yokosuka City thinks
cooperation with the U.S. Navy is essential in order to build a
system of safety measures that can convince citizens who are
TOKYO 00000913 004 OF 012
concerned about a possible radioactive accident. Both sides have
shared the same position since Yokosuka Mayor Ryouichi Kabaya gave
the green light to the plan to deploying the carrier to Yokosuka in
June 2006.
The city government and the U.S. Navy have since then frequently
held talks with the Japanese government to discuss how to prepare
for or prevent a disaster. Aside from this meeting, the mayor,
relevant city government officials, and senior U.S. Navy officers
have met once a month on a regular basis in an effort to share
information. The regular meetings have allowed both sides to become
acquainted with each other. At one of the meetings, a hot line
(between the city government and the U.S. Navy Yokosuka Base) was
proposed.
"The U.S. military and the Yokosuka city government have built close
relations on a level not seen in any other place across the country
in an effort to reduce incidents and accidents," a city government
official in charge said.
Meanwhile, a civic group is collecting signatures with the aim of
bringing about a referendum on the propriety of deploying the USS
George Washington. A leading player in this campaign is lawyer
Masahiko Goto. Goto pointed out: "No matter how much the city and
the U.S. Navy may highlight safety measures based on their friendly
ties, it is impossible for such measures to have a deterrent effect
on accidents or crimes as long as there is a lack of tension."
(5) Jijikokkoku (ever-changing scene) column - Murder of taxi driver
in Yokosuka (Part 3- conclusion): Cause of conflict still remains
with no end of crimes
ASAHI (Page 2) (Slightly abridged)
April 3, 2008
The U.S. side's response to the latest murder case caused by a U.S.
serviceman seems to be reflecting its sense of crisis that a recent
series of crimes committed by U.S. military personnel could rock the
very foundation of the bilateral relationship. This past February, a
U.S. Marine was arrested on charge of raping a (junior high school)
girl. Prime Minister Fukuda called on the U.S. to take action to
prevent a recurrence of a similar incident. Just after U.S.
Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and other officials repeatedly
SIPDIS
offered apologies in response to Fukuda's call, the murder of a taxi
driver in Yokosuka City occurred. The killer was a U.S. sailor.
After the rape of an elementary school girl in Okinawa by U.S.
military personnel in 1995 the U.S. side began handing over U.S.
military suspects to Japanese police authorities before indictment.
In the murder case this time, the U.S. side informally contacted the
Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and Ministry of Defense
(MOF) the day after the occurrence of the incident and told them: "A
U.S. deserter is suspected of being involved in the case." Rear Adm.
James Kelly, commander of the U.S. Naval Forces in Japan, told a
news conference on March 23: "The Japanese police are investigating
the case. We promise full cooperation with the investigation."
According to a source familiar with bilateral relations, once an
arrest warrant is issued, (the U.S. side) aims to smoothly hand the
suspect over to (the Japanese side) by holding a meeting of the
Joint Committee, (which consists of MOFA's North American Affairs
Bureau director-general, the vice commander of the U.S. Forces Japan
TOKYO 00000913 005 OF 012
(USFJ), and others) and which is usually held once every two weeks,
in order to obtain approval from each committee component.
However, the handover of the suspects to the Japanese side is
treated as something stemming from the U.S. side willingness to
extend "sympathetic consideration" to Japan under a bilateral
agreement. This kind of handover is not mentioned in the Japan-U.S.
Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), which stipulates the rights and
duties of USFJ.
Those who are subject to such transfers are limited to suspects of
heinous crimes. Since 1995, Japan has called on the U.S. to hand
criminals over in five cases, but of these, four cases were actually
transferred to the Japanese side. In 2004, the scope of crimes
subject to handover was broadened, and at the same time, it was
decided that U.S. military officers are required to be present at
interrogations because the U.S. was highly concerned about the human
rights of the suspect. In the case of a U.S. military helicopter
crash into the campus of Okinawa International University in 2004,
the U.S. side recovered the helicopter at the crash site before the
Okinawa prefectural police conducted an on- site investigation.
This has led to local municipalities housing U.S. military bases to
strongly call for revising the SOFA so that Japanese authorities can
strengthen their right to investigate when incidents or accidents
take place. But Prime Minister Fukuda told a session yesterday of
the Lower House Committee on Foreign Affairs: "I want to deal with
each case by improving the operation of SOFA" as before. This remark
came because the U.S. side is not expected to respond to calls to
review the SOFA. Cause of conflict will accordingly remain in the
future, as well, as long as both countries cannot fully deter crimes
committed by or accidents caused by U.S. military personnel.
(6) Editorial: It's taking too long to arrest U.S. sailor
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 5) (Full)
April 3, 2008
In questioning by Kanagawa prefectural police, a U.S. sailor has
reportedly admitted to killing a taxi driver in Yokosuka, Kanagawa
Prefecture. But he is still in the custody of the U.S. Navy under
the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement. It is taking too long to
arrest him.
The incident occurred on the night of March 19. A taxi driver was
murdered in his car near U.S. Yokosuka Naval Base, stabbed in the
neck with a kitchen knife. Three days later, the U.S. military took
into custody a 22-year-old U.S. seaman (itto suihei) of Nigerian
nationality on a charge of desertion.
The prefectural police managed to question the U.S. sailor 12 days
later, on April 2. The seaman has been in the custody of the U.S.
military and is being investigated on charges of desertion. Was the
U.S. military able to prevent the destruction of evidence related to
the murder investigation and to prevent people connected with the
case from coordinating their stories? We are highly concerned.
A credit card bearing the name of the sailor was found immediately
after the incident. Given such "material evidence," the prefectural
police should have been able to ask the U.S. military to let them
question the seaman much earlier.
TOKYO 00000913 006 OF 012
Seeking an arrest warrant for the U.S. sailor, the prefectural
police will ask the U.S. military to hand him over. The Japan-U.S.
Status of Forces Agreement stipulates in principle that the U.S.
military has custody of U.S. service members who have committed
crimes until they are indicted.
In 1995, a schoolgirl was raped by three U.S. Marines in Okinawa,
resulting in an outcry in the prefecture. In consideration of this
case, the U.S. agreed to give "sympathetic consideration" to
Japanese requests for the pre-indictment handover of U.S. service
members who are suspected of having committed a heinous crime. This
also led to an agreement to improve the operation of (the SOFA).
This time around, the U.S. military has indicated that it will
extend "full cooperation." While the U.S. sailor is expected to be
handed over to the Japanese authorities, there has been a ceaseless
string of atrocious crimes by U.S. service members.
In February this year, a U.S. Marine was arrested in Okinawa for
allegedly sexually assaulting a middle school girl. In 2006, a U.S.
sailor robbed and killed a Yokosuka woman, and in 2007, U.S. Marines
based at Iwakuni Air Station, Yamaguchi Prefecture, allegedly
gang-raped a woman in Hiroshima.
It can be said that residents of not only Okinawa but also of
base-hosting municipalities across Japan are beginning to feel fear
toward U.S. service members.
There are fundamental problems with the quality of U.S. service
members and their management, and little can be expected from the
U.S. military's vow to "strictly enforce discipline." Given that
there have been no specific preventive measures, the principle of
limiting (the application of) domestic law must be modified.
U.S. service members who commit atrocious crimes must be detained at
Japanese facilities and be questioned first by Japanese police.
The time has come for the Japanese government to press the U.S. side
for a review of the SOFA.
(7) Arrest of sailor for cab-driver murder: Local residents near
Yokosuka base feel betrayed by U.S. military that appealed for
coexistence
NIKKEI ON LINE (Full)
April 3, 2008\
Kanagawa police today issued an arrest warrant for a U.S. sailor,
who has admitted he killed a taxi driver in the city of Yokosuka.
From the local residents and shopkeepers of the "base town" who had
deepened their exchanges with the U.S. military that had appealed
for coexistence came voices of disappointment at the betrayal, with
one local resident saying, "I am saddened by this incident that has
case a shadow over my trust (in the U.S. military)." A male
shopkeeper (62) who owns a general store only dozens of meters from
the Yokosuka U.S. Navy Base, where the sailor was stationed, lowered
his voice and said, "We will not be able to avoid the damage done to
the image of our downtown area."
The shopkeeper has lived in Yokosuka for dozens of years. There is
not a day that goes by when he does not see sailors on his street.
He has many American friends. He said: "There are many good sailors.
TOKYO 00000913 007 OF 012
It is sad that a few brutes have cast a pall on the relationship of
trust between the base and the local residents."
(8) Arrest of U.S. sailor: Repeated tragedies show ineffectiveness
of measures to prevent incidents from recurring
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 11) (Excerpt)
Eve., April 3, 2008
In the case of the murder of a taxi driver in Yokosuka City in
Kanagawa Prefecture, a 22-year old seaman's apprentice stationed at
Yokosuka Naval Base will be arrested and charged with the robbery
and murder, but only two years ago, there was a case of robbery and
murder by a sailor at the same base. Based on that incident,
measures to prevent a recurrence were taken, such as restricting
alcoholic drinking by servicemen, guidance and education to obey the
law, and the strengthening of patrols in areas near the base.
However, even after all that, crimes by sailor continued to occur,
the lesson apparently not having been learned, with irretrievable
losses and tragedies happening repeatedly.
(9) U.S. to pay for utility fees temporarily following expiration of
sympathy budget
YOMIURI (Page 3) (Excerpts)
April 3, 2008
An extension of the Japan-U.S. Special Measures Agreement on Japan's
host-nation support (sympathy budget) for the costs of stationing
U.S. forces in Japan was adopted by the House of Representatives
Foreign Affairs Committee yesterday with a majority vote by the
ruling parties. The major opposition Democratic Party of Japan
opposed the agreement for the first time. A delay in deliberations
due to turmoil over the appointment of a new Bank of Japan governor
and the provisional gasoline tax rate has created a vacuum period in
the agreement, making it impossible to implement the budget beyond
its March 31 expiry. Although a new agreement is likely to win Diet
approval later this month, some are concerned that the matter might
take a toll on the Japan-U.S. alliance gradually, like a body blow.
Japan's HNS covers: (1) base salaries of Japanese employees at U.S.
bases, (2) U.S. military housing utility fees, and (3) relocation
costs of fighter jet landing practice and firing practice.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the salaries of Japanese
employees are paid on the 10th of the following month. The
government plans to pay 8 billion yen in salaries for April on May
ΒΆ9. To do so, the new special agreement must take effect by late
April. If it slips to May, the U.S. side would be forced to shoulder
the Japanese employees' salaries temporarily.
The DPJ has indicated that it would deal with the matter in a way
not to inconvenience the base employees.
If the new agreement clears the Lower House today and is sent to the
House of Councillors and voted down by the opposition parties, it
still can go into effect within April, provided that the lower
chamber's decision takes precedence over the upper chamber's on an
agreement that is handled in the same way as a treaty. "We will
probably be able to avoid a situation where the U.S. side has to pay
for the Japanese employees," a senior Foreign Ministry official
said.
TOKYO 00000913 008 OF 012
At the same time, the U.S. side plans to pay for utilities fees in
April in place of Japan. The U.S. side also plans to prevent any
expenses from incurring by postponing the planned relocation of
fighter jet training from Kadena Air Base to May or later.
(10) Zenchuro criticizes DPJ's response
YOMIURI (Page 3) (Abridged slightly)
April 3, 2008
The shadow cabinet of the major opposition Democratic Party of Japan
(DPJ) decided yesterday to oppose the government's plan to revise
the Japan-U.S. special measures agreement on Japan's host-nation
support (sympathy budget) for the costs of stationing U.S. forces in
Japan. The DPJ supported its revision in 2000 (for fiscal 2001-2005
period) and in 2006 (for fiscal 2006-2007 period), taking a position
of placing high priority on the Japan-U.S. alliance.
DPJ Policy Research Council Chairman Masayuki Naoshima told a press
conference:
"We will oppose it, bearing in mind that the axis of Japan's
diplomacy is its bilateral relationship with the United States. We
called for the examination and reduction of expenses in 2000 and
2006, but nothing has changed. Utility fees are high and U.S.
military housing is costly because discretionary contracts (and not
competitive bidding) are used. Given the government's severe fiscal
situation, all expenses must be reviewed."
Attention was also focused on the response of DPJ President Ichiro
Ozawa, who has been calling for a Japan-U.S. alliance based on
equality. Although Ozawa did not attend the shadow cabinet meeting
yesterday, he showed up at its previous meeting on March 26, in
which he said: "I would like you to give thought to the historical
background of the sympathy budget, as well." In 1978, then Defense
Agency Director-General Shin Kanemaru, who was Ozawa's mentor, had
the government pay part of labor costs for the Japanese employees
working at U.S. bases, calling it a "sympathy budget." There was an
observation in the DPJ that Ozawa wanted to support the original
agreement.
In an attempt to check Ozawa's true intention, Naoshima called on
him at party headquarters on April 1 and told him that the party was
largely leaning toward opposing the new agreement. In response,
Ozawa easily concurred, saying, "I will leave the entire matter up
to you."
A senior DPJ member noted:
"Mr. Ozawa decided to scrap the road-use revenue system, which was
established by the late Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka, his teacher.
Mr. Ozawa also opposed the sympathy budget, which was initiated by
Mr. Kanemaru. Those steps reflect Mr. Ozawa's determination to break
away from the political approach of the LDP era and to pursue
reform."
At the same time, some fear that the DPJ might come across as an
anti-U.S. party. The DPJ is also being criticized by ruling party
members for using the matter to force the prime minister into
dissolving the Lower House.
TOKYO 00000913 009 OF 012
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said last night to reporters, "What is
(the DPJ's) view of the Japan-U.S. alliance?"
One DPJ member said: "I cannot oppose the sympathy budget. I want to
consider abstaining from a plenary session." The largest opposition
party is not necessarily monolithic.
The DPJ has opposed the sympathy budget, describing Japan's
contribution to the salaries of Japanese employees at recreational
facilities on U.S. bases as a "waste" of money. This has chilled the
DPJ's relationship with the All Japan Garrison Forces Labor Union
(Zenchuro), a supporter of the main opposition party.
Zenchuro faxed yesterday a statement to DPJ executives, including
President Ozawa, noting that the party's policy course to oppose the
sympathy budget was extremely regrettable.
The statement also said, "We have received a strong complaint from
the (Zenchuro) Yamaguchi chapter that under the situation, they
cannot campaign (for the DPJ)," suggesting a review of its campaign
cooperation apparently with the April 27 Lower House Yamaguchi No. 2
district by-election in mind.
(11) Gov't should make constructive proposal for SOFA revisions to
build healthy alliance with U.S.
MAINICHI (Page 4) (Full)
April 2, 2008
Nakae Ueno, Political Section, Mainichi Shimbun
In February, a U.S. serviceman was arrested for his alleged rape of
a junior high school girl in Okinawa Prefecture. (In this incident,
the U.S. serviceman was acquitted with the victim having withdrawn
her complaint. The U.S. military is now investigating the case.)
Since then, I have been wondering why the people of Okinawa
Prefecture continue to call for the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces
Agreement (SOFA) to be revised and why the government continues to
reject the call. And through a rally held on Mar. 23 in Okinawa
Prefecture's Chatan Town in protest of incidents and accidents
caused by U.S. military personnel, I could see the Japan-U.S.
security alliance's dilemma that lies behind the standoff between
Okinawa's local communities and the government.
"The Japanese government does nothing for its people. The U.S.
serviceman who raped me must be returned to Japan." With this, Jane
(fictitious name), an Australian woman who was raped six years ago
by a Yokosuka-based U.S. Navy serviceman and who now lives in Tokyo,
made an appeal in a rally of 6,000 people. Prosecutors dropped her
case, and the U.S. serviceman returned home. Jane won a civil
lawsuit. However, damages have yet to be paid. U.S. military
personnel have brought about incidents and accidents, and 80 PERCENT
of them happened when they were off duty. However, those off-duty
incidents and accidents were left to out-of-court negotiations.
Damages are not paid in most cases.
Jane cried: "Everybody can be a victim. I was not to blame." In the
rally was a 60-year-old woman wiping her tears. She said, "She spoke
for the junior high school girl and all other victims." Jane said,
"Today, I finally felt that I am not alone." She added, "Thank you."
An old woman then ran up to Jane. She took Jane's hands, and said:
"I have endured things for 50 years. You made me feel today that I
TOKYO 00000913 010 OF 012
can start living again."
The small island prefecture of Okinawa is home to 75 PERCENT of all
U.S. military facilities in Japan. Local people are therefore highly
likely to be involved in incidents and accidents caused by U.S.
military personnel. According to the Defense Ministry, incidents and
accidents caused in Japan by U.S. military personnel in fiscal 2006
totaled 1,549 cases. Among those cases, 953 cases, or more than 60
PERCENT , occurred in Okinawa. This rate per 100,000 people is 140
times higher than that in all other mainland prefectures. This
figure, remaining almost unchanged over the past decade, can be
taken as reflecting the concentrated presence of U.S. military bases
in Okinawa.
The problem of compensation for victims is the tip of the iceberg of
the SOFA's inequality. The SOFA allows U.S. forces to use bases in
Japan under the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, and it also stipulates
the legal status of U.S. military personnel. In addition, the SOFA
accords various privileges, such as exemption from Japanese laws and
taxation. In 1995, Okinawa-based U.S. servicemen gang-raped a local
schoolgirl. At that time, the U.S. military rejected a local police
request to turn over the suspects before they were indicted. This is
one of the problems that became symbolic of the SOFA's inequality.
The U.S. military is not required to decontaminate its bases even if
their waste pollutes the environment. A U.S. military chopper once
crashed on the campus of a university in Okinawa. In that accident,
the U.S. military did not allow local police to access the crash
site. Okinawa Prefecture called on the government each time to
revise the SOFA. This time, another problem came up. SOFA-status
personnel are exempted from alien registration, so local authorities
were unable to grasp off-base U.S. military personnel. The SOFA is
just like "Pandora's box," according to a Foreign Ministry source.
Okinawa's call for SOFA revisions is an accusation against the
concentrated presence of U.S. military bases on Okinawa.
But then, the question is why the government refuses to revise SOFA
provisions. According to government officials and ruling party
executives, that is "because the United States is reluctant" to
revise the SOFA. The government has outwardly explained that SOFA
revisions would have repercussions on other U.S. allies hosting U.S.
forces. In the past, however, Germany and South Korea negotiated
with the United States for SOFA revisions. A New Komeito lawmaker
made an appeal to U.S. Congress people on the necessity of revising
the SOFA. This lawmaker said: "They, regardless of being Republicans
and Democrats, think the Japan-U.S. security alliance is unilateral.
They won't accept Japan's request to revise the SOFA."
"Unilateral" in the New Komeito lawmaker's words denotes that
although the United States must defend Japan in the event of
emergencies, Japan does not have to defend the United States.
Instead, Japan provides bases to U.S. forces and bears the heaviest
burden of costs among all other host nations for the stationing of
U.S. forces in Japan as the "sympathy budget" (omoiyari yosan). A
lawmaker with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's defense panel
noted: "If Japan is constitutionally allowed to participate in
collective self-defense, and if we are on an equal footing to defend
each other, then we don't have to ask them to base their troops in
Japan for our national defense."
The bilateral security arrangement between Japan and the United
States dates back to Japan's independence in 1952. Japan, under its
war-renouncing constitution, chose to ask the United States to
TOKYO 00000913 011 OF 012
defend Japan, with Okinawa separated from Japan and placed under the
U.S. military's occupation. A substantial reduction of the U.S.
military presence in Japan is linked to the inevitability of
revising its postwar constitution. Naha City's Mayor Takeshi Onaga,
who participated in the rally as a conservative head of local
government, pointed to such a dilemma as a "distortion" of the
bilateral security alliance. "There's no independence for Japan
without a solution to Okinawa's base problems," Onaga added.
I cannot agree to the advocacy of participating in collective
self-defense as requested by the United States. As a constructive
suggestion for a healthy alliance with the United States, Japan
should propose negotiations with the United States to revise the
SOFA. Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda flatly defied the idea of revising
the SOFA. Meanwhile, Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) President
Ichiro Ozawa has only suggested the necessity of a "truly equal
alliance."
Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima did not participate in the rally.
However, Gov. Nakaima is scheduled to visit the United States in
September for SOFA revisions. As long as there are incidents and
accidents involving U.S. military personnel, Okinawa would never
stop crying out for SOFA revisions. Japan and the United States must
sincerely respond to the voice of Okinawa, or the bilateral security
alliance will contribute to the growing magma (of discontent) that
could erupt at any time.
(12) Editorial: DPJ weakening Japan-U.S. alliance
SANKEI (Page 2) (Full)
April 3, 2008
Japan's alliance with the United States is now being undermined. A
special deal on Japan's burden sharing of costs for the stationing
of U.S. forces in Japan has now expired. As a result, the government
cannot execute the budget. In addition to such a vacuum, the
Democratic Party of Japan (Minshuto) is now opposed to the budget
unlike before.
A political party that is trying to take the reins of government is
threatening to weaken the Japan-U.S. alliance, which is the axis of
Japan's national security. We cannot but say it is an irresponsible
political conduct resulting in the loss of Japan's credibility.
The House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee passed a new
special agreement yesterday to replace the old one that expired at
the end of March, with a majority of votes from the ruling coalition
of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito. The DPJ approved
the last two accords. However, the DPJ opposed the new one,
maintaining that the budget's cutback is insufficient. The new
accord is expected to clear the House of Representatives today.
In the House of Councillors, the new agreement is expected to be
vetoed with a majority of votes from the DPJ and other opposition
parties. However, the new accord will be approved (as a treaty) in
line with constitutional provisions allowing the House of
Representatives' decision to take precedence over the House of
Councillors' decision.
The U.S. military will cover the vacuum portion until the new
agreement comes into effect. However, this is the first such case
since the burden-sharing system started in 1978.
TOKYO 00000913 012 OF 012
The vacuum has arisen because the opposition camp, led by the DPJ,
demanded all-out deliberations. The standoff between the ruling and
opposition parties over road-related tax revenues also spurred on
the Diet turmoil.
The new accord is to carry out a total cutback of 800 million yen in
Japan's payment of charges for utilities (currently 25.3 billion yen
a year) over the next three years. In the new accord, the Japanese
government changed its cost accounting for utilities in order to
constrain its burden sharing. In the past, the Japanese government
used to set an upper limit on the annual use of utilities.
Meanwhile, the new accord caps the amount of money to be paid for
utilities.
The Diet focused its debate on the advisability of taking on salary
payments for employees working at recreational facilities on U.S.
military bases. In addition, the Diet also discussed facts about
housing construction for U.S. military personnel and their families,
such as spending 48 million yen per unit. Defense Minister Shigeru
Ishiba explained that U.S. military personnel in Japan are provided
with amenity like that in the United States.
The new accord prescribes the U.S. military's further cost-cutting
efforts. It is impermissible to waste money. Japan's burden sharing
is heavier than in the case of other countries hosting U.S. forces.
This also must be corrected immediately, or it would be difficult to
get public understanding. At the same time, however, we must also
consider the cost of security to defend Japan.
The year before last, the DPJ came up with its manifesto that set
forth a course of action to "establish a true bilateral alliance,
with Japan and the United States on an equal footing." The new
accord is needed for a facilitative and effective security
arrangement between Japan and the United States. The DPJ has
rejected this. How can the DPJ propose a true bilateral alliance?
SCHIEFFER