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 08TOKYO1516, DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 06/03/08
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. #08TOKYO1516.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08TOKYO1516 | 2008-06-03 08:16 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Tokyo |
VZCZCXRO9618
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #1516/01 1550816
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 030816Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4739
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 0521
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 8141
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 1831
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 6432
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 8732
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 3684
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 9682
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0123
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TOKYO 001516
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 06/03/08
INDEX:
(1) Ruling party executives eager to eliminate wasteful spending;
Tanigaki has consumption tax hike in mind; Nakagawa thinks spending
must be cut first (Nikkei)
(2) METI Minister Amari stresses need to lower abnormally high oil
prices in interview prior to energy ministerial on June 7-8 (Tokyo
Shimbun)
(3) METI to introduce CO2 emission-labeling system for food, daily
necessities (Tokyo Shimbun)
(4) Biofuel effect assessment to be conducted; COP-9 picks Nagoya to
host COP-10 (Tokyo Shimbun)
(5) Deliberations on bill amending Antimonopoly Law likely to be put
off, with priority given to bills related to people's daily lives
(Nikkei)
(6) Editorial: Independent administrative agency reform bill;
Ruling, opposition parties should find common ground (Asahi)
(7) Defense Ministry concerned about "vacuum" in Japan's security
setup (Mainichi)
(8) Medical system for elderly a major campaign issue for Okinawa
prefectural assembly election (Tokyo Shimbun)
ARTICLES:
(1) Ruling party executives eager to eliminate wasteful spending;
Tanigaki has consumption tax hike in mind; Nakagawa thinks spending
must be cut first
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
June 3, 2008
The subject of trimming wasteful spending has cropped up in the
ruling bloc's policy discussion on hiking the consumption tax rate.
Although the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito are in accord
on the need to increase the efficiency of the state budget for
fiscal 2009, there are huge gaps in motives of those calling for
reducing waste. Some are skeptical about whether the ruling bloc,
which has applied pressure for greater spending, can come up with
any effective reform plan.
Former LDP Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa appearing on a
television program yesterday announced his determination to cut
expenditures. He also unveiled a plan to set up a study group on
June 5 to inspect the government's wasteful spending in the
Machimura faction, in which he serves as a secretary.
Meanwhile, LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Sadakazu Tanigaki,
an advocate of a consumption tax hike, indicated in his May 29
speech that he would launch work to trim the fat off state spending.
He will launch a waste elimination project team (PT) on June 3. The
team plans to put together by August the results of surveys of such
sectors as public works project and social security to reflect them
in the fiscal 2009 budget.
Although the two groups' ostensible objectives seem the same, their
TOKYO 00001516 002 OF 010
real aims are quite different. The PT's main aim is to play up its
total devotion to streamlining the spending with the aim of
obtaining voters' understanding of the need to raise the consumption
tax. In fact, the envisaged reform plan will be produced by Yoichi
Miyazawa, a lawmaker supportive of a consumption tax hike.
In contrast, the Nakagawa study group's aim is to avoid an early
consumption tax hike on the grounds that efforts for reducing
wasteful spending are insufficient. The New Komeito also set up last
November a project team to prevent the wasteful use of tax money.
Its objective is close to Nakagawa's aim of putting off hiking the
consumption tax. New Komeito Representative Akihiro Ota, speaking to
reporters at the Prime Minister's Official Residence (Kantei)
yesterday, indicated his party's intention to put time into
considering ways to reduce wasteful spending, saying, "In order to
reduce waste, we will exert our energy into all administrative
bodies systematically."
For streamlining expenditures, PTs are expected to focus on such
costly sectors as public works project, social security, and
education. With the approach of the next Lower House election,
ruling party members with vested interests in those sectors are
applying pressure for greater spending. Some LDP lawmakers think
that the effort will not advance any further than reviewing budgets
for some public-interest corporations.
DPJ eyes drastic reform
The Democratic Party of Japan, which regards the concentration of
power on the Kasumigaseki bureaucratic district and the amakudari
practice of former government officials landing lucrative jobs in
the private sector after retirement as a breeding ground for the
rigid allocation of budget money, is calling for drastic reform of
the system itself that resulted in waste. The party plans to produce
a manifesto (campaign pledges) for the next Lower House election
vowing to boldly shift power from the central government to local
governments and to abolish individual subsidies.
As for reform of road-related tax revenues, the party has already
adopted a basic policy to: (1) abolish the special account, (2)
cancel the medium-term road construction plan costing 59 trillion
yen over a ten-year period, and (3) consider totally abolishing the
local development bureaus as outposts of the Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure and the Transport (MLIT). The DPJ has also criticized
the government's and ruling bloc's plan to free up road-related
revenues for general spending as only a shift of interests from the
MLIT to the Finance Ministry. The party aims to shift the weight of
the road construction mechanism to local districts as a means to cut
waste.
About the amakudari issue, the DPJ has pointed out that
approximately 12.6 trillion yen has flown into public-interest
corporations and other organizations that hire a good number of
retired government officials in the form of discretionary contracts.
(2) METI Minister Amari stresses need to lower abnormally high oil
prices in interview prior to energy ministerial on June 7-8
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 9) (Full)
June 3, 2008
TOKYO 00001516 003 OF 010
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Akira Amari responded to an
interview with Tokyo Shimbun and other news companies prior to the
meeting of the energy ministers of the Group of Eight (G-8)
countries, China, India, and South Korea scheduled for June 7-8 in
Aomori City. He emphasized his readiness to devote himself to
drawing up a message calling for lowering skyrocketing oil prices.
He said: "The participants are major consumer countries, so it will
be possible for the whole world to deal with the issue with a sense
of crisis."
The flow of speculative money into the market has pushed up oil
prices to over 130 dollars per barrel. Amari said: "The current
prices are abnormal. The high oil prices have led to raising the
prices of natural resources and food. The current burden is
unbearable for developing countries."
He then pointed out that high oil prices would deal a serious blow
to the global economy and could lead to pulling the prices down. He
said: "It is totally wrong for oil producers to think that high oil
prices will augment the value of exports." In the message to be
issued in the environment summit, he intends to urge the
oil-producing countries to fully increase output and to upgrade the
reserve capacity of such facilities as oil centers.
Amari said: "All the participant countries account for two-thirds of
global energy consumption." He thus stressed the extensiveness of
the G-8 summit's influence.
The energy issue, which is closely linked to global warming, will
also be high on the agenda at the energy ministerial. Amari said:
"Energy saving will contribute to reducing energy procurement and
enhancing competition, resulting in reinforcing energy security.
Energy saving will thus bring about various advantages." He will
work on the participant countries to reach an agreement on forming
an international framework to support measures to save energy.
Specifically, Japan is ready to pledge to transfer its renewable
energy and clean-coal technologies, as well as to offer cooperation
in producing legal frameworks and developing human resources.
(3) METI to introduce CO2 emission-labeling system for food, daily
necessities
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 9) (Full)
June 3, 2008
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) yesterday
announced plans to introduce a system to require manufacturers of
foodstuffs and daily necessities to label the amount of carbon
dioxide (CO2) emitted during the production process. The ministry
will produce guidelines with leading distribution companies and food
manufacturers and will implement the system in FY2009 on a trial
basis.
METI thinks that if consumers, based on the label, begin to select
goods with fewer CO2 emissions, manufacturers will step up efforts
to reduce gas emissions and eventually contribute to curbing global
warming. In Britain, some major supermarket chains have already
introduced this system, but this will be the first case in Japan.
To take potato chips for example, the total amount of CO2 emitted in
the whole process, including potato cultivation, production, and
TOKYO 00001516 004 OF 010
distribution, is displayed on the package.
METI will establish a study group in June to work out specifics
about calculation and labeling methods and will compile a set of
guidelines by next March.
(4) Biofuel effect assessment to be conducted; COP-9 picks Nagoya to
host COP-10
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 3) (Full)
May 31, 2008
Koki Miura, Bonn
The ninth Conference of the Parties of Convention on Biological
Diversity (COP9), being held in Bonn, Germany, decided on the
afternoon May 30 that the 10th meeting of COP would be hosted by the
city of Nagoya in October 2010. COP-9 presents a basic policy of
setting up country-by-country numerical targets as a new strategy of
preserving species. If the basic policy is adopted at the COP10
conference, the numerical targets would become an international
index known as the "Nagoya targets."
Following the COP-9 decision that Nagoya will hold the COP-10
meeting, Environment Minister Ichiro Kamoshita delivered a speech on
the last day in which he stated:
"Based on the great achievements at COP-9, Japan will make efforts
for the success of COP-10, which will be held in 2010, and to see
that it will become a milestone for biological diversity."
The COP-9 conference proposed a policy of setting country-by-country
numerical goals for 2011 and beyond, citing that countries should
set up quantitative targets if possible. Regarding the utilization
of biological resources, the toughest confrontational issue, and
profit-sharing, Various possibilities, including the creation of a
legally-binding international framework, will be looked into.
Japan, which will chair COP-10, intends to propose a "Satoyama" plan
as a model for coexistence of human beings and nature. COP-9 started
on May 19 in Bonn with about 6,000 participations, including
representatives from 191 countries, regions and non-profit
organizations.
On May 30, the last day of the meeting, COP-9 adopted a resolution
calling for a set of guidelines for research on the effects of
biofuel, such as the adverse impact on the food supply.
The resolution stresses concerns about the positive and negative
effects of biofuel production and utilization on biological
diversity. In order to find the appropriate production level and use
of biofuel, the resolution calls for creating guidelines for an
environmental impact assessment, including the effect on the
ecosystem.
Japan's leadership to be tested
(Commentary)
Since Nagoya will host the COP-10 meeting in 2010, Japan will have
to bear responsibility for tackling the problem of preserving
species. However, since there are many issues to which Japan
TOKYO 00001516 005 OF 010
objects, views questioning Japan's leadership are being raised.
Japan will play up its "Satoyama" plan as a model for coexistence of
humans and nature at COP-10. That plan is now being gradually
recognized by the international community, with the Italian
representative to COP-9 noting, "We are paying attention to Japan's
Satoyama." However, a source in the German foreign ministry said:
"There are fierce conflicting interests (among member countries)" in
concrete discussions. Especially, the issues of using species and
profit-sharing became fierce confrontation between the North and
South in COP9. Japan was the forefront of opposing the idea of
creating a legally binding international framework called by
developing countries.
With the leadership of Germany, COP-9 reached a conclusion that
discussion would continue on the issues, including whether to create
a legally binding framework. Japan's response was ridiculed by a
source familiar with German foreign policy, saying: "Certain
countries attempted resistance." Germany showed its presence by
announcing its annual contribution of 500 million euros
(approximately 82 billion yen) for forest protection. Japan's
leadership will be tested by COP-10.
(5) Deliberations on bill amending Antimonopoly Law likely to be put
off, with priority given to bills related to people's daily lives
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
June 2, 2008
The fates of the bills on the Diet agenda will be determined before
the ongoing session is adjourned on June 15. The ruling and
opposition camps have clashed head-on over a bill amending the
Antimonopoly Law, which features stiffer penalties against companies
that play a leading role in price-fixing cartels. The bill is thus
likely to be carried over to the extraordinary Diet session in the
fall. The two camps have agreed to support an increasing number of
bills related to the daily lives of the population, but on bills
over which the two sides have been at odds, the ruling coalition has
no choice but to rely on its two-thirds majority in the House of
Representatives (to override bills rejected in the opposition
controlled House of Councillors). Although a mood of compromise is
growing between the two camps, the results are still limited.
Of the 80 bills submitted by the government to the ongoing Diet
session, 49 had cleared the Diet as of June 1. About 70 bills, or
about 80 PERCENT of the total, are expected to pass the Diet by the
end of the session, lower than the 92 PERCENT recorded in the
regular Diet session last year. The government and the ruling camp
have remained unable to move ahead with deliberations as they had
expected, given the opposition camp's control of the House of
Councillors.
The number of bills on which both camps have been at loggerheads is
decreasing. Such bills include a bill amending the Special Taxation
Measures Law and a special measures bill on highway tax revenues.
But of the some 20 government-sponsored bills still left in the
Lower House, only five are expected to clear the current Diet
session, including a bill amending the Juvenile Law. The ruling
coalition has judged it difficult to enact in the current session
about 10 bills, including a bill designed to support the government
health insurance system with assistance from corporate health
insurance society. It intends to continue to discuss these bills in
TOKYO 00001516 006 OF 010
the Lower House in the next session.
On the bill amending the Antimonopoly Law, not even deliberations
have started yet. The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), while
approving the government plan in outline, has judged it necessary to
obtain a guarantee for fair procedures to be taken. The main
opposition party has unofficially presented to the Liberal
Democratic Party (LDP) an amendment to the bill, calling for
hearings to be held by the Fair Trade Commission and for lawyers to
be allowed to attend questioning. The government and the ruling camp
are reluctant to totally accept the DPJ plan, on the ground that the
plan will affect the legal system as a whole. It seems impossible to
start even negotiations on revising the bill during the current
session.
A number of DPJ members have voiced opposition to a bill designed to
help joint ventures financed by the public and private sectors and
others saddled with excessive debts reconstruct their businesses by
establishing regional industrial revitalization corporations. One
member said: "The bill will make it ambiguous to clarify where
responsibility lies for a slump in business. In the party, many are
calling for putting off a conclusion, rather than rejecting the
bill.
Nonetheless, as seen from an agreement reached recently between the
ruling and opposition camps to seek the passage of a bill aimed at
reforming the public servant system, momentum is certainly gathering
for them to make concessions. The LDP, the New Komeito, and the DPJ
are eager to reach an agreement on issues related to the people's
daily lives and to a secure social environment by
lawmaker-initiative legislation before the end of the session.
The three political parties are apparently concerned that if they
fail to enact such bills into law, the voters would form a negative
impression about them. LDP Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Tadamori
Oshima emphasized in a speech in Sapporo on May 31: "Some DPJ
members should be aware that as long as they continue to raise
opposition to everything, they will not be able to fulfill their
responsibilities to the people. Such a development will contribute
to forming a new type of Japanese democracy."
Even so, in the extraordinary Diet session in the fall, the focus of
attention will be on how to treat the law governing the Maritime
Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean, which
expires next January. The DPJ is expected to oppose the bill. As it
stands, on controversial bills, the situation in which the ruling
and opposition camps find it difficult to cooperate with each other
remains unchanged.
(6) Editorial: Independent administrative agency reform bill;
Ruling, opposition parties should find common ground
ASAHI (Page 3) (Full)
June 3, 2008
One hundred and one independent administrative agencies are under
the jurisdiction of central government agencies. The predecessors of
those independent administrative agencies are either special public
corporations or various agencies' operating divisions. A bill
reforming their mechanism is now under deliberation in the Diet.
The bill itself should be basically promoted. However, the close of
TOKYO 00001516 007 OF 010
the Diet session is drawing near. We urge both the ruling and
opposition parties to make efforts to enact the bill by finding
common ground and taking the time.
Following the criticism that there are many unnecessary projects
that have become hotbeds for amakudari (golden parachute) practices,
reform of independent administrative organizations have been looked
into. The bill prepared by the government includes some of the
results of such efforts.
One of such results is a proposal for a new method of assessing the
performance of independent administrative agencies. At present, an
assessment committee attached to each relevant government agency is
in charge of assessing their performance. Under the proposed bill, a
new committee consisting of members appointed by the prime minister
would be established for sole jurisdiction over all independent
administrative agencies.
At present, peer review by colleagues is rampant. For instance, the
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' assessment
committee gave the second best rating on a scale of one to five to
the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, which was later
abolished following the discovery of a government-led bid-rigging
practice.
It would be difficult to correct the inefficiency of organizations,
based on assessment made under the influence of concerned government
agencies, because government offices tend to attach importance to
defending their own organization.
The reform drive also targets the personnel appointment system.
Under the proposed bill, a public recruitment system would be
adopted for the selection of top personnel and auditors, a watchdog
of the organizations, of independent administrative agencies. These
posts have often been filled by former bureaucrats. However, under
the new system, their appointments would require cabinet approval.
Under such a system, it may become possible to appoint private
citizens who launch a bid for those posts.
The bill also mandates the return of unnecessary assets possessed by
independent administrative agencies, such as housing compounds and
recreation facilities, to the government. According to an estimate
by the government's administrative reform promotion secretariat,
assets totaling over 600 billion yen can be sold off. Selling such
assets will thus bring about valuable fiscal resources at a time
when the fiscal condition is stringent.
Those proposals are a step forward to reforming independent
administrative agencies. Many proposals made by the DPJ overlap with
those proposed by the government. It may be impossible for them to
agree on every item. However, they should at least cooperate with
each other in order to realize at an early date reform proposals
both can agree on. The divided Diet cannot be used as an excuse for
stalling reforms that can be implemented, if the government puts its
mind to it.
Apart from those reform items, it is also important to remember that
the key part of the reform is to keep really necessary agencies in
place and eliminate unnecessary ones.
The consolidation and rationalization plan, which the government
presented at the end of last year, has been left unfinished. It
TOKYO 00001516 008 OF 010
stipulated that the number of independent administrative agencies
should be reduced to 86. However, since the goal was to be achieved
in a manner of a mere juggling of numbers -- some were to be merged
and others were to be turned into special public corporations, the
86 agencies might include those that should be abolished.
Some agencies, such as those aimed at nurturing science, technology
and culture, should be kept in place in view of their public nature.
It is important to continue the work of sorting out independent
administrative agencies, by identifying such agencies and
determining unnecessary organizations and projects.
(7) Defense Ministry concerned about "vacuum" in Japan's security
setup
MAINICHI (Page 7) (Full)
June 3, 2008
"The Foreign Ministry stopped thinking about defense and became cold
as soon as they cleared the issue with the United States. They tried
to play cool." With this, a senior official of Japan's Defense
Ministry vented his frustration at the Foreign Ministry because the
government held discussions at the Foreign Ministry's initiative for
Japan's consent to a treaty banning cluster munitions.
The Foreign Ministry and the prime minister's office went all out to
consider the United States. Eventually, the treaty's text
incorporated a clause allowing joint operations with the United
States, which is not a signatory of the treaty. The Foreign Ministry
therefore deemed it possible to ensure a 'safety valve' for the
Japan-U.S. alliance, and then the Foreign Ministry moved for a de
facto ban on all cluster bombs. After that, the Defense Ministry
voiced concerns about Japan's national defense. However, the Foreign
Ministry was in no mood to listen. "They wouldn't listen at all," a
senior official of the Defense Ministry said. "There was a tide," he
added. The Defense Ministry, which was left behind, had no way to
resist.
"Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba said in a press conference on the
morning of May 30: "The cluster bombs we have at present are not for
fun or a joke." So saying, Ishiba was apparently upset. The
Self-Defense Forces has cluster bombs for the purpose of bringing
the coastline under control in order to block enemy troops from
landing in Japan. "I wonder what to do about the vacuum in our
national security," one of the Defense Ministry's officials said.
The Defense Ministry is concerned about the deterioration of Japan's
defense functions.
"The neighbors of Britain (which decided to prohibit cluster bombs)
are European countries. In the case of Japan, there are China and
Russia among its neighbors. Japan's security environment is quite
different from Britain's. We need the same bombs (as those of China
and Russia)." With this, another senior official of the Defense
Ministry criticized the fact that Japan was affected by Europe.
However, the treaty allows joint operations. This seemed be good for
the Defense Ministry. One of the Defense Ministry's officials said:
"The United States will use cluster bombs in the event of an
emergency on the Korean Peninsula. If the SDF and shipping companies
cannot transport them, that's a problem. But we've cleared this
problem."
TOKYO 00001516 009 OF 010
However, the Defense Ministry is now saddled with a heavy workload.
Japan has four types of cluster munitions. Its procurement of
cluster munitions for the Air and Ground Self-Defense Forces totals
27.6 billion yen. All of their cluster munitions are subject to
scrapping. The ASDF and the GSDF will have to sustain an enormous
amount of losses from an all-out prohibition, including vehicles to
launch cluster munitions. The ASDF will need 10 billion yen to scrap
its cluster munitions, according to an ASDF staff officer.
Japan is still in dire fiscal straits. Meanwhile, Japan is going to
debate how to prepare alternatives. The treaty reportedly exempts
the newest generation of so-called "smart" cluster munitions. If
Japan is going to replace its cluster munitions with these smart
ones, it will inevitably take a large amount of money, and it will
also take time. "Cluster bombs are effective weapons for deterrence,
but if the government says it will agree to prohibit cluster
munitions for Japan and its people, then we will comply with that
and scrap them," a senior official of the Defense Ministry said with
a deeply-troubled look.
This is the last of a three-part series.
(8) Medical system for elderly a major campaign issue for Okinawa
prefectural assembly election
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Excerpts)
June 2, 2008
The ruling and opposition camps are engaged in a fierce campaign
battle for the June 8 Okinawa prefectural assembly election. The
focus is now on whether the ruling bloc can maintain its majority
under strong national criticism of the newly introduced medical
system for people aged 75 and older.
At present, 27 Okinawa prefectural assembly seats are held by the
ruling Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito that are supporting
Governor Hirokazu Nakaima and 20 seats by the opposition parties,
including the Social Democratic Party of Japan, Japanese Communist
Party, Social Democratic Party, and Okinawa Social Mass Party. One
seat remains vacant. The win-lose line is set at a 25-seat majority.
As of May 30, the day the campaigning officially kicked off, 74
individuals filed their candidacies. Problems associated with U.S.
bases in the prefecture have always been campaign issues in the
past. But this time around, DPJ Okinawa Chapter Public Relations
Committee Chairman Tadashi Uesato said: "The majority of the DPJ
candidates are focused on the new medical system for the aged rather
than on base issues in their campaigns."
In his kick-off ceremony, a certain DPJ candidate also said
vigorously, "Everyone says that the new medical system is absurd.
The system must be abolished."
On June 1, DPJ Deputy President Naoto Kan, JCP Chairman Kazuo Shii,
and SDP head Mizuho Fukushima all visited Okinawa to stump for their
respective candidates.
Meanwhile, the ruling parties have been explaining the government's
policy to improve the new medical system in a desperate effort to
obtain the understanding of voters. The LDP has been running a
television commercial in Okinawa in which former LDP Lower House
member Koichi Hamada states, "The Liberal Democratic Party is a
party that cherishes the elderly."
TOKYO 00001516 010 OF 010
There are no signs of the storm of criticism of the government
waning, however. A senior LDP Okinawa chapter official said
discouragingly: "Elderly people are really angry. It is going to be
an uphill battle for us." A New Komeito official also noted: "At
least half an hour is necessary in order to obtain the understanding
of voters regarding the medical system. Maintaining the majority
seems hard." The ruling bloc is being forced to run a negative
campaign, saying, "If the opposition bloc wins a majority, the
prefectural administration would be thrown into turbulence."
LDP Okinawa Chapter Secretary General Tetsuji Shingaki emphasized,
"In order to realize Governor Nakaima's pledge to revitalize the
industries and create more jobs, the ruling camp must keep its
majority." A veteran candidate running on the LDP ticket underlined
the need for the stability of the prefectural administration,
saying, "As a ruling party, we are going to implement the governor's
pledges," without touching on the medical issue.
LDP Election Strategy Council Chairman Makoto Koga, General Council
Chairman Toshihiro Nikai, and New Komeito Representative Akihiro Ota
have all visited Okinawa in a desperate effort to give a boost to
their candidates.
SCHIEFFER