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 08TOKYO2978, DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 10/24/08
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. #08TOKYO2978.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08TOKYO2978 | 2008-10-24 08:25 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Tokyo |
VZCZCXRO3105
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #2978/01 2980825
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 240825Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8248
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 2938
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 0579
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 4362
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 8649
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 1152
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 6014
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 2012
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2246
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 13 TOKYO 002978
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 10/24/08
INDEX:
(1) Prime Minister Aso meets with Chinese leaders: Japan-China
hotline to be reopened (Mainichi)
(2) Prime minister instructs ruling parties to study raising
consumption tax after economy recovers (Asahi)
(3) With eye on general election, Aso posits consumption tax hike,
aiming at displaying leadership, as well as to underscore difference
from DPJ (Asahi)
(4) New Komeito keeps silence, while concealing its real desire for
early Lower House dissolution for sake of campaign cooperation
(Asahi)
(5) North Korea, aiming at obtaining energy aid after delisting,
takes hard-line stance toward Japan for not paying its share
(Sankei)
(6) Japan-India nuclear cooperation: Dialogue needed for nuclear
nonproliferation (Asahi)
(7) NPT at greater risk due to U.S.-India nuclear agreement; Japan
must take initiative in nuclear nonproliferation (Mainichi)
(8) TOP HEADLINES
(9) EDITORIALS
(10) Prime Minister's schedule, October 23 (Nikkei)
ARTICLES:
(1) Prime Minister Aso meets with Chinese leaders: Japan-China
hotline to be reopened
Mainichi Online (Full)
13:16. October 24, 2008
Beijing, Reporter Tamotsu Takatsuka
Prime Minister Taro Aso, who is now visiting China to attend the
Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), on the morning of October 24 separately
met with President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao at the Great
Hall of the People for about 30 minutes each. This is the first time
for him to meet with both leaders. They agreed to reopen the hotline
between the two countries. Leaders of the two countries vowed to
continue to develop mutually beneficial strategic relationship with
the aim of building the relationship of trust. They also exchanged
views on the financial and economic situations, as well as signed a
Japan-China Consular Agreement designed to improve the protection of
the citizens of both countries.
This is the fourth bilateral summit with Hu Jintao and second with
Wen Jiabao this year, if those held during the previous Yasuo Fukuda
administration are included. Aso took the stance of stressing the
close relationship between the two countries.
During his meeting with Hu, Aso called for building a relationship
of trust in which the presence of the leaders of the two countries
would be prominent. The reopening of the hotline is expected to
TOKYO 00002978 002 OF 013
enable the leaders of the two counties to be in immediate and close
contact, according to a Foreign Ministry source. The hotline between
the two countries was established when then Premier Zhu Rongji
visited Japan in October 2000. However, with bilateral relations
deteriorating due to former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's
visits to Yasukuni Shrine, it was hardly ever used.
Aso sought countermeasures from the Chinese side regarding the
incident of poisoned frozen gyoza dumplings made in China, by
conveying to him Japan's domestic views about food safety.
He also brought up the North Korea issue and confirmed cooperation
between the two countries at six-party talks for the
denuclearization of that country. He asked for cooperation from the
Chinese side for the settlement of the abduction issue as well.
In the meeting with Wen, the two leaders signed a Japan-China
Consular Agreement, which is designed to improve the protection of
the citizens of each country, including the event that citizens are
detained in the other country, the concerned country is obligated to
notify the consular office of the incident within four days. They
also exchanged a paper ratifying a Japan-China Treaty on Cooperation
on Criminal Matters, which enables investigative officials of the
two countries to exchange information without using a diplomatic
channel.
Aso gave a speech at a ceremony commemorating the 30th anniversary
of the Japan-China Peace and Amity Treaty held on the afternoon of
the same day. He stressed that common benefit is important both for
Japan and China. Regarding the history issue, he stressed that
modestly looking back on the past and building the future together
is the responsibility of the present generation in preparation for
the next generation.
At the outset of the talks, Wen said, "Your attendance at ASEM is
the manifestation of your attaching importance to cooperation
between Asia and Europe, and between Japan and China. We welcome
your visit to China from the bottom of our hearts." Aso replied,
"Thank you for your welcoming me. I would like to congratulate you
on the success of the Beijing Olympics."
(2) Prime minister instructs ruling parties to study raising
consumption tax after economy recovers
ASAHI (Top Play) (Full)
October 24, 2008
In compiling a new economic stimulus package, Prime Minister Aso
instructed the LDP and the New Komeito to look into a mid-term
program for securing stable fiscal resources to finance social
security measures. He gave this order with a hike in the consumption
tax after the recovery of the economy in mind. In the meantime, as a
measure for regional areas, he also ordered them to consider the
largest-ever housing loan tax break, by allocating approximately 1
trillion yen to them from special road-construction funds. He thus
indicated a stance of doing his utmost to shore up the economy over
the short term.
The prime minister appears to aim to clarify differences in campaign
pledges with the DPJ, by putting up economic stimulus measures as
one of the commitments for the upcoming general election.
TOKYO 00002978 003 OF 013
He on the 23rd met with LDP Secretary General Kosuke Hori, his New
Komeito counterpart Natsuo Yamaguchi, and others at the Kantei. The
two secretaries general briefed him on the ruling parties' plan for
the new economic stimulus package, which includes an increase in
highway tolls and a fixed-rate tax cut.
The prime minister ordered them to include the following four items
in the package: 1) compiling a mid-term tax system program for a
future hike in the consumption tax; 2) allocating approximately 1
trillion yen to local governments; 3) implementing the largest-ever
housing loan tax cut; and 4) reducing the tax burden, by expanding
areas eligible for depreciation regarding investment for energy
saving and new energies.
The government and the ruling parties will formally decide on the
size of the budget and funding resources on the 30th, after
readjusting the new economic stimulus package. The prime minister
will release the final plan at a press conference the same day.
After the talks the prime minister said, "Nobody would consider
hiking the consumption tax when the economy is rapidly losing
steam." He also told reporters, "It is clear that when the economy
has recovered over the mid-term, fiscal resources to finance social
welfare-related areas, such as nursing care and welfare, will be
running short. In that sense, it is likely that a hike in the
consumption tax will be considered." The prime minister thinks that
it will take three years for the Japanese economy to recover. He
thus apparently indicated his intention to consider raising the
consumption tax after putting the economy on a recovery track in
three years' time.
According to one participant, the prime minister categorically said
to ruling-party members, "It is not until the economy recovers that
conditions for a tax hike are met. The consumption tax will serve as
a stable funding resource. I must make it clear that I will raise
the consumption tax when conditions are met." He thus reportedly
instructed the ruling parties to consider mentioning a road map for
tax system reform, including the consumption tax, in the mid-term
program.
The DPJ is keeping mum about the consumption tax. It appears that
another aim of Aso is to highlight differences with the DPJ by
referring to a consumption tax hike, thereby indicating a stance of
the LDP, which is tackling tax code reform as a responsible party.
In the meantime, Aso ordered participants to expand the scale of the
housing loan tax break from the current maximum 1.6 million yen
deduction from taxable income to the largest-ever amount. The
largest-ever deduction of 5.875 million yen was implemented in 1999
and 2000.
Regarding measures to shore up regional areas, the prime minister
reportedly said, "Use special-purpose road construction funds. They
can be used without restrictions, if they are reallocated for other
uses. I will give 1 trillion yen to local governments. If they want
to build roads, they can do so."
Concerning a hike in highway tolls, Aso said, "The DPJ said that
they would make expressways toll-free." He then told participants to
consider far-reaching measures in preparation for the upcoming
election. The government and the ruling parties agreed to implement
a time-limited cut in the corporate tax rate targeting small- and
TOKYO 00002978 004 OF 013
medium-size businesses.
(3) With eye on general election, Aso posits consumption tax hike,
aiming at displaying leadership, as well as to underscore difference
from DPJ
ASAHI (Page 2) (Full)
October 24, 2008
Prime Minister Aso, who predicts that the Japanese economy would
require three years to reach as state of recovery, said yesterday
that the government would raise the consumption tax in the future.
Aso ventured to step into the "taboo" area of lawmakers by talking
about a consumption tax hike before a general election. He
apparently wants to underscore the differences in his policy stance
from that of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). He is also aiming
to impress people with his leadership in having the government and
the ruling coalition lay out a new package of economic stimulus
measures by the end of this month.
In meeting with Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Policy Research
Council Chairman Kosuke Hori, New Komeito Policy Research Council
Chairman Natsuo Yamaguchi, and others at the Prime Minister's Office
last evening, Prime Minister Aso said: "If we fail to announce the
revenue sources, our stance will be the same as the DPJ's."
Although Aso had indicated that he would not hike the consumption
tax for three years in line with his policy of giving priority to
first boosting the economy, he asked senior LDP members to draw up a
plan to raise the tax in the future. His prediction of three years
to bring about a recovery indicates that the "seal" could be removed
three years from now.
Lawmakers hesitate to take up the issue of raising the taxes before
a general election. Former Prime Minister Fukuda once voiced
eagerness to raise the consumption tax just after assuming office,
but he sidestepped the issue in the end, saying: "We will consider
the possibility, with a span of two to three years in mind." Aso,
however, is aiming to lay the groundwork for Lower House dissolution
by highlighting the main point at issue with the DPJ.
The DPJ's policy pledges include a 26,000 yen monthly child-rearing
allowance, state subsidies for individual farm households, and other
costly measures. Prime Minister Aso has criticized the main
opposition party since the LDP presidential election campaign,
saying: "Calculated roughly, 17-20 trillion yen will be needed to
implement its pledges, but the DPJ has yet to explain where the
fiscal resources will come from."
In a policy speech on Sept. 29, Aso unprecedentedly posed questions
to the DPJ about fiscal resources to realize its policy pledges, but
DPJ President Ozawa said the party would completely restructure the
government's fiscal management structure. The exchange of words
between them went nowhere.
The new economic package due out later this month includes a number
of pork-barrel-nature tax-cut measures, such as flat-sum tax cuts
and a reduction of taxes on home mortgages. The government plans to
finance these measures with reserve funds for the time being. But if
it can announce specifics on where the necessary revenues would come
from, the package will become more acceptable to people. With the
difference stressed between the LDP and the DPJ over the issue of
TOKYO 00002978 005 OF 013
fiscal resources, the way will be paved for the Lower House
election.
In accordance with this calculation, the government appointed
National Conference on Social Security Chairman Hiroshi Yoshikawa as
a private-sector member of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy
early this month. A close aide to the prime minister said: "We
tapped him in anticipation of his playing a mediatory role between
the economic panel and the social security panel."
The social security panel announced estimated medical and care
costs, as well as the case of introducing a system of using tax
revenues to pay basic pension benefits. To cover these expenses, it
would become necessary to hike the consumption tax to a level as
high as 20 PERCENT . An aide to the prime minister said: "Discussion
of fiscal resources should be conducted in the social security
council, and the economic panel should come up with a plan for
consumption tax hike."
The theme of discussion in the first meeting on Oct. 17 of the
economic panel after Prime Minister Aso assumed office was how to
reform the social security system, the tax system, and the fiscal
system simultaneously. In this meeting, Aso made this statement:
"When asked about the fiscal resources for our economic stimulus
measures, we must properly explain where the revenues would come
from. Our party, as the governing party, must prepare itself to be
able to do so."
Citing in this meeting the results of the opinion poll conducted in
2001, when he was LDP Policy Research Council chairman, Aso said:
"Some 50 PERCENT of respondents said that it would be unavoidable
to raise the consumption tax to 10 PERCENT to finance social
security and pension payments." He showed that the public can be
expected to show understanding about a consumption tax hike to pay
social security outlays.
Even so, the consumption tax rate has stayed at 5 PERCENT since
ΒΆ1997. The focus of attention is on whether Aso would be able to step
into this difficult challenge, an area in which even the former
popular prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi, refrained from setting
foot. An aide to Aso said: "I think there is no other lawmaker than
Prime Minister Aso who can raise the consumption tax. He can be
expected just before the general election to come up with a policy
leading to raising the consumption tax."
(4) New Komeito keeps silence, while concealing its real desire for
early Lower House dissolution for sake of campaign cooperation
ASAHI (Page 4) (Abridged slightly)
October 24, 2008
By Hisashi Ishimatsu, Hiroshi Samejima
Prime Minister Taro Aso has been unable to determine when to
dissolve the Lower House, while the New Komeito, which has loudly
called for early dissolution of the chamber, is now quiet. The
party, though irritated with the prime minister's indecisiveness,
cannot afford to suggest a departure from the ruling coalition. As
such, the New Komeito seems to have no other option but to wait
patiently for the prime minister's decision, believing that he will
dissolve the chamber at the end of October.
TOKYO 00002978 006 OF 013
The New Komeito held an executive meeting on Oct. 23. In the
session, the members confirmed the maintenance of the party's
campaign setup for the envisioned election on Nov. 30. The voice of
Secretary General Kazuo Kitagawa, who regards himself as Prime
Minister Aso's close friend, was constrained. He simply said: "The
LDP is split over whether to dissolve the Lower House."
The New Komeito still pins hopes on Lower House dissolution at the
end of October when additional economic measures would be put
together and the refueling assistance legislation is expected to
clear the Diet. The New Komeito relies heavily on its local chapters
and its support organizations and requires a long period of time
making preparations for an election. To such a party, it is
difficult to take the heat out of its organizations that are in high
gears for an election, and once they geared down, it is even more
difficult to heat them up again. The party's powerful support
organization, Soka Gakkai, too, thinks early dissolution provides a
chance of victory, with a senior member saying, "The cabinet's
support rates are somewhat low, but we still can turn the tables
with thorough preparations."
The party eyes a flat-sum tax cut as a showcase step, but there is
no guarantee that it can win a huge tax cut to satisfy low- and
middle-income earners, the party's core supporters, in the year-end
tax reform discussion. New Komeito Representative Akihiro Ota thinks
his party should assert that there will be no fixed-amount tax cut
unless the New Komeito wins the next election.
To begin with, it was the New Komeito that opened the door to Lower
House dissolution for a snap general election. Former Prime Minister
Yasuo Fukuda walked off the job because the New Komeito demanded the
dissolution. The party pressed Fukuda hard to dissolve the Lower
House before the end of the year from its desire to focus on next
summer's Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election.
The party had envisioned replacing Fukuda with the nationally
popular Aso as the figurehead of the ruling coalition and holding a
general election under him. The plan came true up until the
establishment of the Aso administration. Prime Minister Aso gave a
nod to the flat-sum tax cut and the Soka Gakkai geared up, assuming
that the election would take place in early November. But the
cabinet's support ratings remained unexpected low, and the financial
crisis also occurred. Given the situation, the prime minister
dropped a plan to dissolve the Lower House at the beginning of the
current extraordinary Diet session.
The New Komeito pressed former Prime Minister Fukuda hard for
dissolving the lower chamber, but it does not show any signs of
doing so for Aso now. A loud call for early dissolution in the
closing days of the Fukuda administration left ill feelings between
the LDP and its coalition partner. Another invasion of the prime
minister's right to dissolve the Lower House might harm the
relationship between the two parties beyond repair.
A senior New Komeito lawmaker commented: "Even if the prime minister
decides to postpone the dissolution, we will have to accept it. We
cannot press him by dangling the possibility of dissolving the
coalition arrangement. LDP votes are especially vital for
Representative Ota and Secretary General Kitagawa who are scheduled
to run in single-seat constituencies. As long as the New Komeito
cooperates with the LDP in campaigns, the former cannot think of
dissolving the coalition. Further, the party cannot find anyone who
TOKYO 00002978 007 OF 013
can replace Prime Minister Aso as the "face" of the LDP-New Komeito
administration.
At the same time, Aso's failure to meet the New Komati's
expectations for an early dissolution is likely to result in
mistrust in the prime minister. Secretary General Kitagawa, who has
served as a go-between, is under heavy pressure from within the
party and Soka Gakkai because the prime minister has been slow to
determine when to call the next general election. If the major
opposition Democratic Party of Japan takes a confrontational stand,
calls for Diet testimony by former Komeito Chairman Junta Yano and
Soka Gakkai executives might grow louder.
"With a delayed election, we won't be able to assist the LDP because
we will be busy just taking care of our own campaigns." There is no
guarantee that these words by a New Komeito executive intended to
apply pressure on Aso by alluding to an ill effect on campaign
cooperation will reach the prime minister.
(5) North Korea, aiming at obtaining energy aid after delisting,
takes hard-line stance toward Japan for not paying its share
SANKEI (Page 7) (Full)
October 24, 2008
By Takashi Arimoto in Washington
In connection with the nuclear issue, North Korea is taking a
hard-line stance toward Japan's paying its share of energy
assistance promised that country. After having achieved its
long-time goal of being removed from the U.S. list of states
sponsoring terrorism (SST) list, North Korea is now reacting
strongly toward the Japanese government for holding back aid unless
the abduction issue first makes progress. The DPRK even wants to
exclude Japan from the Six-Party Talks on the nuclear issue. A U.S.
government-source said the U.S. is trying to solve the problem of
Japan not providing energy aid by requesting Australia to supply
Japan's share. There is new concern, however, as to how seriously
North Korea will now work on the abduction issue.
The Six-Party Agreement in February 2007 stipulated that financial
and energy aid equivalent to one million tons of heavy oil would be
provided to North Korea in exchange for its declaration of its
nuclear program and the disablement of its nuclear facilities. The
share of each country is not specifically stated in the agreement,
but there is an implicit understanding that five countries would
equally share 200,000 tons (equivalent to approximately 16 billion
yen) (of heavy oil).
Japan, because of its abduction issue with North Korea, has been
saying that it would participate (in providing aid) as soon as
possible, once the situation was settled. Prime Minister Taro Aso
told President Bush who notified him on the removal of North Korea
from the SST list that (Japan) would not participate in the energy
aid, since there had been no progress in resolving the abduction
issue.
North Korea reacted sharply to this and demanded that Japan should
be excluded from the Six-Party Talks. A source in the talks,
referring to this reaction, pointed out: "North Korea knows well
that the U.S. would never agree to the exclusion of Japan, which
would lead to a collapse of the Six-Party Talks. After the country
TOKYO 00002978 008 OF 013
was successfully de-listed from the SST list, North Korea is just
taking the offensive for quick practical gains during the term of
the Bush administration."
The U.S. understands Japan's "special situation," but it has
requested Australia to provide Japan's share to solve the problem of
the energy aid. The U.S. is seeking Australia's participation in
providing energy aid from the view point of regional security. There
is also the fact that Australia has already provided some assistance
to North Korea, but the U.S. remains reluctant to change the
framework of the Six-Party Talks by adding Australia.
U.S. State Department Spokesman McCormack took an optimistic view
about the resolution of the issue by saying that the five countries
have strong confidence that they can fulfill their duty (of
providing heavy oil as aid). However, one U.S. government source
said: "Although we hope Japan-North Korea negotiations will resume
before the next round of Six-Party Talks, we are concerned as to how
seriously North Korea will engage in them.
(6) Japan-India nuclear cooperation: Dialogue needed for nuclear
nonproliferation
ASAHI (Page 11) (Full)
October 24, 2008
Yukifumi Takeuchi, senior writer
The Oct. 22 Japan-India summit did not step into the issue of
concluding a nuclear agreement on cooperation in such areas as
atomic power generation. However, the United States and India have
now reached a nuclear accord, which has now come into effect. In
addition, some other countries are also apparently geared up to make
market inroads. Meanwhile, it also looks like there will be strong
pressure from within Japan's business community. However, a negative
impact of nuclear cooperation between the United States and India is
already looming. The Japanese government will have to make a
difficult decision.
The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), including Japan, has so far taken
a 'north wind' policy of embargoing nuclear-related materials to
India, which is not a signatory of the Nuclear Nonproliferation
Treaty (NPT). India has therefore been falling behind in developing
atomic power plants. In September, however, the NSG accepted the
option of calling off its embargo on nuclear fuel and reactors to
India in the wake of the U.S.-India nuclear deal. "It's a sunshine
policy toward India," explains a senior official of the Foreign
Ministry.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also endorsed the NSG
decision, because the IAEA thought it would be better to inspect at
least commercial nuclear facilities and expand the network of
supervision for nuclear nonproliferation instead of leaving India
outside the nonproliferation regime. Nuclear development is under
way in such countries as Iran and Pakistan, so the IAEA thought it
would be effective to involve India in order to sew up one tear in
the nonproliferation regime.
In addition, given the exhaustion of petroleum and the progress of
global warming, the IAEA also thought it would be better to let
India build more nuclear power plants instead of having it
mass-consume fossil fuels. The United States and some other
TOKYO 00002978 009 OF 013
countries want India to become a power strong enough to vie with
China. If India grows into a huge nuclear market, there will be
business chances. This is why such countries as France are following
the United States.
Japan is the only atomic-bombed nation. The NSG's acceptance itself
was therefore a tough choice for Japan. If Japan enters into an
agreement with India at this point, such a course of action would
face a strong backlash from the public.
However, the government is also beginning to think it would be in
the medium- and long-term interests of Japan to conclude an
agreement and cooperate with India.
Meanwhile, the sunshine policy is having more repercussions.
Pakistan announced in the middle of this month that it had reached
an agreement with China on bilateral cooperation on building nuclear
power plants. Obviously, this is a response tot the U.S.-India deal.
Pakistan is not an NPT signatory and was a black-market player.
The NPT Review Conference is scheduled to take place in two years.
Ahead of this event, Iran, which is an NPT signatory, would also cry
out against that move.
There are some doubts about India as well. Michael Krepon, a U.S.
expert on nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation, notes that
India's nuclear test in 1998 yielded an insufficient result. Krepon
presumes that India would need to conduct another nuclear test. He
criticized the U.S.-India nuclear pact, claiming that it remains
vague about India resuming nuclear testing. "If Japan is going to
push for nuclear cooperation with India," he added, "that should be
preconditioned on signing the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
(CTBT)."
Of course, it would be difficult to persuade India to sign the CTBT,
which the United States has yet to ratify. However, the United
States could change its response to the CTBT if the Democratic Party
takes office and calls the shots in Congress. Japan should endeavor
to shape international public opinion. At the same time, Japan
should try every possible means and tenaciously push ahead with
nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation dialogue with India.
(7) NPT at greater risk due to U.S.-India nuclear agreement; Japan
must take initiative in nuclear nonproliferation
MAINICHI (Page 4) (Abridged slightly)
October 23, 2008
By Takuji Nakao, Vienna office
A nuclear embargo against India, which has conducted nuclear weapons
tests, was lifted last month for the first time in over 30 years.
India, which is not a party to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty
(NPT), is now allowed to import atomic power technology and nuclear
fuel. Given the fact that no questions were raised about its
possession of nuclear weapons, this is tantamount to India being
recognized as a nuclear power by the international community. I
believe the NPT is indeed in crisis. This might end up dampening the
motivation of countries making serious efforts in nuclear
nonproliferation and making North Korea and Iran -- countries
suspected to have nuclear weapons programs - even more arrogant. As
the world's only atomic-bombed country, Japan should play an active
TOKYO 00002978 010 OF 013
role in maintaining the NPT regime.
The latest series of developments was triggered by the United
States. In 2005, the United States began talks with India on a
bilateral nuclear agreement aimed at nuclear trade with that
country. The pact was signed on Oct. 10 and immediately came into
effect. Behind the move is the eagerness of American companies to do
nuclear business with India. The Bush administration kept pushing
the Congress for speedy deliberations in order to ratify the pact
before it leaves office in January 2009. As if to vie with the
United States, France, too, inked a nuclear pact with India last
month. Russia is also conducting talks with India.
To the United States, the largest obstacle was the Nuclear Suppliers
Group (NSG, with a membership of 45 countries, including Japan) that
regulates nuclear exports. Established in response to a nuclear test
carried out by India in 1974, the NSG is a framework that regulates
nuclear trade in order to prevent nuclear proliferation. NSG members
met in September in Vienna. Their discussion on the second day of
the meeting lasted until 2 o'clock in the morning, an unusual case.
In the session, such countries as Australia and New Zealand demanded
India's assurance that it would not conduct nuclear tests. Calling
representatives of countries opposing (an NSG waiver) into a
separate room, the United States pressed them, asking, "Should
India, a country with a population of 1 billion, be left as is?" The
countries cautious about such a decision were steamrollered by the
United States, and Japan failed to stop it. On Sept. 6, the NSG
finally decided to allow a waiver for India, a non-NPT signatory,
opening the door for its members to export nuclear fuel and
technology to that country.
What is particularly troublesome is that the imports of nuclear fuel
for civilian-sector nuclear power generation would make it possible
for India to use home-grown natural uranium to produce nuclear
weapons. An anti-waiver country predicted that the measure would
increase India's capability to produce nuclear weapons from the
current level of seven to 40 to 50 a year. The International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors approved in August India's
nuclear inspection agreement with the nuclear watchdog. India is
expected to agree to open only 14 out of 22 nuclear facilities to
the IAEA.
Meanwhile, the NPT is calling for the efforts of the five nuclear
powers (United States, Russia, Britain, France, and China) for
nuclear disarmament. India has only announced the continuation of
its moratorium on nuclear testing. The United States explained that
India, the world's largest democracy, would join the mainstream of
nuclear nonproliferation. It can be said that the NPT effectively
confirmed the possession of nuclear weapons of India, a non-NPT
state.
Japan's response was problematical, as well. Throughout the NSG
negotiations, Japan exhibited an ambiguous attitude, with then Chief
Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura saying, "We will judge it
comprehensively." True, a shift from coal-fired power generation to
atomic power generation can contribute to containing global warming,
as was asserted by Japan. But that does not mean nuclear
nonproliferation can wait on the sidelines.
India's credibility could be called into question, as well. The
Institute for Science and International Security, a U.S.
TOKYO 00002978 011 OF 013
private-sector think tank, has shed light on the Indian government's
lax business practices that include its disclosing of the designs
for uranium-enrichment centrifuges to bidders. The Institute has
pointed out, "The management of nuclear data is unbelievably
sloppy."
Such questions all concern the basic issue of nuclear
nonproliferation. But which country should be the one to give candid
advice to the world's sole superpower, the United States, which has
made a clear distinction in its response between India, its ally,
and Iran and North Korea, the "rogue states." That role should be
played by Japan, whose national policy is to eliminate nuclear
weapons. It is necessary to give advice even to the United States
when the NPT regime is shaking.
The NPT regime, which is reviewed every five years, is at a
crossroads. Now that the waiver for India has been adopted, the NPT
review conference to be held in New York in 2010 is likely to fall
into confusion.
At this conjuncture, Yukiya Amano, ambassador to the Permanent
Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna, has
decided to run to become the next IAEA secretary general (beginning
in December 2009). I believe Japan's leadership and comprehensive
ability in nuclear nonproliferation is now being tested.
(8) TOP HEADLINES
Asahi:
Aso instructs ruling parties to study raising consumption tax
Mainichi:
Government estimates consumption tax hike up to 15.5 PERCENT
necessary
Yomiuri:
Maximum 94 trillion yen seen necessary for medical, care costs in
fiscal 2025
Nikkei:
Japan, U.S., Europe to move to set up mechanisms for disposing of
losses at financial institutions
Sankei: Tokyo Shimbun:
Woman sickened by Cup Noodle soup: Nisshin to recall 500,000 cups
Akahata:
Grand coalition between LDP and DPJ will destroy Constitution, says
Chairperson Shii
(9) EDITORIALS
Asahi:
(1) ASEM heavily responsible for making effort to put end to
financial crisis:
(2) Estimate for medical cost: Show road map to increased burden
Mainichi:
(1) Prime minister's night meetings: Self-awareness as public
official questioned
(2) Estimate for medical, and care costs: Reform scenario without
words
TOKYO 00002978 012 OF 013
Yomiuri:
(1) Medical services, nursing care, pensions: We want to see deeper
discussions
(2) Death of MSDF member during exercise: Correct bad habits and
proclivity
Nikkei:
(1) Take economic effects, instead of election into account, when
mapping out additional economic stimulus package
(2) Emergency medical service system that can give peace of mind
needed
Sankei:
(1) Hospitals refuse to accept pregnant woman: Improve emergency
system
(2) Easing market-value accounting system: Effort needed to secure
transparency
Tokyo Shimbun:
(1) Medical and nursing care cost: Improve the system to live up to
increased burden
(2) Drowning of inmate: Situation in prisons is still unknown
Akahata:
(1) It has been 80 years since the Great Depression: Make most of
the lessons learned from history
(10) Prime Minister's schedule, October 23
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
October 24, 2008
07:31
Took a walk around his private residence in Kamiyama-cho.
11:02
Met at the Kantei with participants in the Ship for Southeast Asian
Youth Program and others.
11:49
Met Foreign Ministry's Vice Minister Yabunaka, Deputy Foreign
Minister Sasae, and Economic Affairs Bureau Director General Otabe.
Yabunaka and Sasae stayed behind. Joined by Asian and Oceanian
Affairs Bureau Director General Saiki.
13:46
Attended a garden party at the Imperial Garden.
15:25
Met Foreign Minister Nakasone and Finance Minister Nakagawa at the
Kantei. Followed by LDP Tax Commission Chairman Tsushima.
16:10
Met Foreign Ministry's Sasae, Saiki, Vice Minister of Finance for
International Affairs Shinohara, and METI Deputy Vice Minister
Ishige, with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsumoto present.
16:42
Met Toyama Governor Ishii.
17:32
TOKYO 00002978 013 OF 013
Met Japan Credit Rating Agency President Utsumi. Followed by LDP
Policy Research Council Chairman Hori, New Komeito Policy Research
Council Chairman Yamaguchi, Project Team on Global Financial Crisis
Chairman Yanagisawa, Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Yosano, and
others.
20:23
Let Haneda Airport by a government plan for the ASEM summit.
Night
Arrived at the international airport in Beijing. Stayed at a hotel.
SCHIEFFER