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 08TOKYO3166, JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 11/18/08
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08TOKYO3166.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08TOKYO3166 | 2008-11-17 01:19 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Tokyo |
VZCZCXRO3146
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #3166/01 3220119
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 170119Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8858
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 3372
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 1013
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 4801
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 9033
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 1582
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 6431
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 2411
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2573
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 TOKYO 003166
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR E, P, EB, EAP/J, EAP/P, EAP/PD, PA;
WHITE HOUSE/NSC/NEC; JUSTICE FOR STU CHEMTOB IN ANTI-TRUST DIVISION;
TREASURY/OASIA/IMI/JAPAN; DEPT PASS USTR/PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE;
SECDEF FOR JCS-J-5/JAPAN,
DASD/ISA/EAPR/JAPAN; DEPT PASS ELECTRONICALLY TO USDA
FAS/ITP FOR SCHROETER; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR;
CINCPAC FLT/PA/ COMNAVFORJAPAN/PA.
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA
SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 11/18/08
Index:
1) Japan's economy in recession: Government expects zero GDP growth
this fiscal year, greatly revising downward earlier forecast
(Mainichi)
Political agenda:
2) Prime Minister Aso returns in high spirits from G-20 summit to
find economy sinking deeper into recession and no means to counter
it (Tokyo Shimbun)
3) With polls plummeting, the economy in recession, ruling Liberal
Democratic Party moving away from early Diet dissolution to a spring
or later scenario (Yomiuri)
4) Extension of Diet now seems inevitable, as Ozawa-driven
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) breaks agreement to allow
anti-terror bill to pass on time (Asahi)
5) Aso finds himself further in the lurch as own party begins to
criticize his handling of Diet affairs, centered on the second
supplementary budget (Mainichi)
6) DPJ suddenly switches to attack mode in the Diet (Mainichi)
7) Other opposition parties criticize DPJ head Ozawa for shifting
Diet tactics suddenly (Nikkei)
8) Ozawa in meeting with Aso yesterday allegedly said he would
resign his Diet seat if the second supplementary budget was not
introduced (Yomiuri)
Defense and security affairs:
9) Maritime Self-Defense Force trains with Navy carrier George
Washington in southern waters (Asahi)
10) Despite government ban order, then ASDF chief Tamogami last
month allowed jet-mountable cluster bombs to be displayed in parade
(Tokyo Shimbun)
11) Iraqi government in negotiation SOFA with the U.S. used
U.S.-Japan SOFA as a model (Asahi)
12) Japan slips to 98th place in world ranking of gender equality
(Asahi)
Articles:
1) Zero growth for fiscal 2008: Government likely to make
substantial downward revision
MAINICHI (Page 1) (Full)
November 18, 2008
The government on November 17 started looking into the possibility
of making a substantial downward revision to its projection for
economic growth for fiscal 2008. This is because it is now unlikely
for the economy to achieve the growth rate estimate projected in
July (1.3 PERCENT in real terms, 0.3 PERCENT in nominal terms)
with gross domestic product (GDP) for the July-September quarter,
released the same day, marking a second consecutive quarterly
contraction for the first time in seven years. The government will
formally revise the projection in its economic outlook to be
compiled in December. The likelihood is strong that since both
domestic and foreign demands have further cooled, following the
worsening global economy due to the escalation of the financial
crisis originating in the U.S., real growth for fiscal 2008 will be
revised to almost zero.
A further decline in the global economy, mainly in the U.S. and
TOKYO 00003166 002 OF 009
Europe, is expected in 2009. There is a strong possibility of the
government making a downward revision to the outlook for the
Japanese economy for fiscal 2009 from 1.6 PERCENT , projected in
July, to the 0 PERCENT level.
In connection with the GDP figures released on the 17th, a senior
Cabinet Office official explained, "Since the economic climate has
changed since, it is imperative to make a downward revision to a
growth outlook for fiscal 2008." The Bank of Japan in its Outlook
Report has made a significant downward revision to its outlook for
the Japanese economy's real growth from the mid-1 PERCENT level to
0.1 PERCENT for fiscal 2008 and to 0.6 PERCENT for fiscal 2009.
The government is expected to follow suit with a revision in
December. The substantial downward revision to the government
outlook for economic growth is bound to put a dent in the state's
tax revenues.
The likelihood is that unless the economy fully recovers, the
government's goal of moving the primary balance into the black by
fiscal 2011 will become unachievable.
2) Economic recovery nowhere in sight
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 2) (Full)
November 18, 2008
Prime Minister Taro Aso during the recent emergency summit meeting
(financial summit) sent a message on "Aso for the economy" to the
world. However, as if to dampen his buoyant mood at the summit, the
nation's gross domestic product released by the Cabinet Office on
November 17 turned out to be in negative territory. The government
was forced to declare that the economy has taken a downward turn.
The prime minister, who gives top priority to economic recovery,
will continue to face challenges in managing his administration.
Commenting on the financial summit, Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo
Kawamura proudly said, "Japan has set a direction that will go down
in history. It is significant that momentum to address the current
financial crisis is surging. The prime minister has displayed his
presence to the fullest extent."
Aides to the prime minister hoped his success at the summit would
lead to a rise in cabinet support ratings. However, when he returned
home, the prime minister faced the government announcement that the
economy has taken a downward turn. Commenting on the GDP marking
negative growth for two consecutive quarters, Kawamura said, "The
future of the economy will be even harsher. We must pay attention to
the risks that will pose."
The prime minister is determined to do his utmost to put the economy
on a recovery track through expanded domestic demand. However, it is
not an easy job. The government has adopted a package of economic
stimulus measures worth 11.7 trillion yen in late August and an
additional package worth 26.9 trillion yen in late October. However,
whether they will help shore up the economy is unclear.
The government and ruling parties fell into confusion over measures
incorporated in the package, including an income restriction for a
flat-sum cash benefit plan and the transfer of 1 trillion yen drawn
from the freed up special road-construction funds to local
governments. It remains unclear whether will be a second
supplementary budget, which is designed to finance the packages,
TOKYO 00003166 003 OF 009
submitted to this Diet session.
When he took office, the prime minister said, "It will take three
years for the economy to fully recover." Now that he has decided to
put off a Lower House dissolution, the prime minister will face the
test of achieving concrete results from the economic stimulus
package. There is not much time left for "Aso for the economy."
3) Cabinet support ratings falling: Economy shows downturn: LDP
mulling Lower House dissolution next spring or later
YOMIURI (Page 3) (Full)
November 18, 2008
Although the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is calling for an early
Lower House dissolution, the government and the ruling camp are
showing no indications of responding to its demand.
Prime Minister Aso during his stay in Washington on November 14-15
hinted to reporters that he planned to give top priority to passage
of the fiscal 2009 budget within the current fiscal year and then
would dissolve the Lower House next spring or later. An increasing
number of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmakers now favor this
timetable. Referring to Lower House dissolution, Secretary General
Hosoda in a speech given on the 17th in Nagoya City underscored: "In
my view, given the current economic situation, Lower House
dissolution will not take place before next spring. It is logical to
consider the timing when Diet affairs are settled for the time,
beginning with passage of the fiscal 2009 budget bill."
The economy has taken a downward turn. Cabinet support ratings are
continuing to plummet.
Under such circumstances, there is strong skepticism in the LDP
regarding whether it has a chance to win, if a Lower House election
were held now. Concerning DPJ President Ozawa's latest (hard-line)
tactic, some lawmakers take the view that they must not respond to
his provocative approach, because if the DPJ tries to aggressively
control the Diet, public criticism will be directed at it. However,
it is also true that dissatisfaction with the prime minister is
lingering in the LDP, because his sole attention is to the economy,
the future prospects of which remain unclear.
The stance of the New Komeito, which is only worried about the Tokyo
Metropolitan Assembly election next summer, is that it is desirable
to set a date for a Lower House election that allows a certain time
interval from that event. Concerning the timing for the Lower House
election, one senior LDP official on the 17th noted, "There will not
be a double election of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election and
the Lower House election."
4) Diet extension inevitable; DPJ to renege on agreement to take
vote
ASAHI (Top play) (Excerpts)
November 18, 2008
Democratic Party of Japan President Ichiro Ozawa held talks with
Prime Minister Taro Aso (president of the Liberal Democratic Party)
at the Prime Minister's Office last night and sought the
presentation of a second supplementary budget to the Diet in the
current session. In response to Aso's unwillingness to give a clear
TOKYO 00003166 004 OF 009
answer, the DPJ has adopted a policy course to scrap an agreement
reached between the ruling and opposition camps to take a vote in
the Upper House on a bill amending the refueling special measures
law before the current Diet session ends on Nov. 30 and to put off
an Upper House vote for the time being if the government fails to
submit a second supplementary budget. Given the difficulty for bills
amending the refueling special measures law and the Financial
Function Strengthening Law to clear the Diet in the current session,
an extension of the session now seems inevitable. Also linked to the
timeframe for submitting a second supplementary budget, the session
is likely to fall into confusion.
The first Aso-Ozawa meeting took place for about half an hour at the
request of the DPJ.
In the meeting, Ozawa pressed Aso to present a second supplementary
budget, saying: "You have not called a general election, saying that
the economy is more important than the election. The current
situation is strange in view of your logic." In response, the prime
minister simply said: "We are in the middle of efforts to submit a
budget. I cannot say anything more at this stage."
In response to Aso's elusive answer about a second supplementary
budget, the DPJ has decided to renege on its agreement to take a
vote on the refueling legislation at the Upper House Foreign Affairs
and Defense Committee on Nov. 18. DPJ Upper House Diet Affairs
Committee Chairman Susumu Yanase conveyed the decision to his LDP
counterpart Seiji Suzuki. In a press conference after the meeting,
Ozawa explained: "This does not mean that we will boycott
deliberations. We would like to deal with the situation by
consulting with other opposition parties in the belief that
deliberations must be carried out as necessary."
The government and the ruling coalition have tried to coordinate
views not to extend the session on the assumption that the bills
amending the refueling legislation and the financial function
strengthening law will get Diet approval in the current session. But
witnessing the DPJ's shift to a hard-line stance yesterday, a person
close to the prime minister said: "An extension of the refueling
mission is an international pledge, and if the DPJ boycotts
deliberations, the Diet session would have to be extended."
Meanwhile, Aso said to reporters: "(Whether or not to extend the
Diet session) would not be determined until the very end of the
current session." Nevertheless, for getting important bills enacted,
extending the session seems inevitable.
Aso expressed wariness about the DPJ's possible attempt to prolong
deliberations following the presentation of a second supplementary
budget. But Ozawa emphatically said in the meeting: "I promise,
taking responsibility as leader, to conduct deliberations from a
commonsense standpoint and reach a conclusion in the Diet." After
the meeting, Aso implied to reporters that the government might
submit a second supplementary budget to the current session on the
condition that the DPJ take a vote on it at an early date, saying:
"It is one idea to get the supplementary budget (enacted) in the
current session."
The LDP is still alarmed, with one leader saying, "What Mr. Ozawa
said does not ensure anything." But there has appeared a possibility
to submit the budget to the current session, with a person close to
Aso saying: "There is no reason not to present the budget."
TOKYO 00003166 005 OF 009
5) Prime minister in difficult position over whether to submit
second extra budget in current Diet session
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
November 18, 2008
In meeting with Democratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa
yesterday, Prime Minister Taro Aso stopped short of mentioning
whether the government would submit in the current Diet session a
second fiscal 2008 extraordinary budget bill that would include
fiscal resources for additional economic stimulus measures.
Coordination in the government ran into trouble over a fixed-amount
cash handout program, a key element in the second extra budget.
Given this, difficult deliberations on the program are expected. But
if the government decides to delay the submission of the bill,
questions might be raised about the government's pledge to give
priority to boosting the economy. Under this situation, Aso has been
under intense pressure to make a hard decision.
In the party head talks, Ozawa insisted that the second
supplementary budget bill be submitted during the current Diet
session, but Aso responded to Ozawa with this question: "Will (the
DPJ) agree to deliberate on the bill? Will the party agree to take a
vote on the bill (at an early date)?" Ozawa replied: "Although we
will not be able to support the bill, I responsively promise as the
leader of the party to reach a conclusion in the Diet," but Aso just
responded: "The government will quickly lay out (the bill)."
When he visited Washington to attend the financial summit, Aso also
indicated his eagerness to submit a second extra budget during the
current Diet session, remarking: "I think it would be better to
submit the bill as quickly as possible." In the ruling camp,
however, the dominant view is that the bill should be submitted in
the next ordinary Diet session in January, so the prime minister now
finds it difficult to switch plans and submit the bill to the
ongoing session.
A senior New Komeito member who was briefed about the contents of
the party head talks commented last night: "If the DPJ tries to
prolong deliberations by means of all-out resistance, the second
extra budget will also be affected." But some ruling party members
point out the prime minister's lack of leadership as one of the main
causes for the confusion over fixed-amount cash handouts. One member
grumbled: "Even if the government submits a bill during the current
Diet session, the bill will just be criticized by the opposition
bloc. It would be better to make a fresh start."
6) DPJ plunges into battle mood, set off by Aso's remark indicating
delay of Lower House dissolution to spring or later
MAINICHI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
November 18, 2008
In meeting with Prime Minister Taro Aso yesterday, Democratic Party
of Japan (DPJ) President Ichiro Ozawa insisted that a second fiscal
2008 supplementary budget bill should be submitted during the
current Diet session. But Ozawa, complaining that Aso's reply was
unsatisfactory, has begun to take a confrontational stance. When the
DPJ was unable to find any effective means of attack with only two
weeks left until the end of the ongoing session, the prime minister
made a statement indicating a delay in the dissolution of the House
of Representatives to the spring or later. The main opposition party
TOKYO 00003166 006 OF 009
jumped at this remark and took advantage of the "error" made by the
other side only a few days before the planned vote on a bill
amending the New Antiterrorism Special Measures Law to extend the
Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean.
But it is still uncertain whether the DPJ would be able to force the
government to dissolve the Lower House at an early date.
Ozawa told Aso during their talks yesterday: "You pledged to the
people that priority will be given to economic growth over an
election. You have yet to implement this pledge although only two
weeks are left until the end of the current Diet session. That is
beyond my comprehension." According to a participant, "Mr. Ozawa was
speaking about 90 PERCENT of the total amount of time used for the
meeting."
Many DPJ members had taken the current Diet session as "a throwaway
match," seeing calls growing in the ruling camp for forgoing the
submission of a second extra budget in the current session. On Nov.
14, the DPJ accepted a request from the People's New Party and
decided to present a plan to start deliberations on a bill reviewing
postal privatization as the condition for voting on such key bills
as the refueling bill. But a senior House of Councillors member
said: "It is difficult to change the planned date of voting the bill
on the 18th."
Despite the circumstances, Ozawa stated in an executive meeting
yesterday morning: "The prime minister said that he would not
dissolve the Diet before April. I will ask him about that." This
remark completely changed the atmosphere. A senior member of the
Diet Affairs Committee said: "He might be aiming to urge the Aso
government to submit a second extra budget bill by having it extend
the current Diet session and then cause damage to the
administration."
7) JCP, SDP criticize Ozawa's response
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Full)
November 18, 2008
Japanese Communist Party Head of the Secretariat Tadayoshi Ichida in
a press conference yesterday criticized the fact that Democratic
Party of Japan President Ichiro Ozawa in his talks earlier in the
day with Prime Minister Taro Aso sought the presentation of a second
supplementary budget to the current Diet session by linking it to a
vote on a bill extending the refueling legislation. Ichida said:
"(The refueling legislation and the second supplementary budget) are
different in nature, so they must not be linked to each other in
discussion." Social Democratic Party head Mizuho Fukushima, too,
emphatically said to the press: "I cannot understand at all (Mr.
Ozawa's decision) to suddenly reject deliberations because the
government has not presented a second supplementary budget and to
reverse the agreement to take a vote."
8) Ozawa expressed willingness to give up his Diet seat?
YOMIURI (Page 4) (Full)
November 18, 2008
There was a discrepancy yesterday in explanations between the ruling
bloc and Democratic Party of Japan President Ichiro Ozawa on whether
or not he had said, "I am willing to give up my Diet seat," over the
handling of a second supplementary budget for fiscal 2008 in his
TOKYO 00003166 007 OF 009
talks with Prime Minister Taro Aso earlier in the day.
A ruling party leader quoted Ozawa as telling Aso: "We would like to
see the second supplementary budget presented to the current Diet
session. Our party will cooperate in taking a vote on it. If this
promise is broken, I will resign from the Diet." Another executive
said: "Mr. Ozawa said, 'I will stake my political life on it,' and
the prime minister asked, 'Are you sure?'"
Ozawa in a press conference after the meeting flatly denied the LDP
explanation, saying, "I didn't say such a thing." The truth is
shrouded in thick fog.
9) U.S. nuclear flattop conducts joint drill with MSDF
ASAHI (Page 34) (Full)
November 18, 2008
The USS George Washington, a nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier
that arrived at the U.S. Navy's Yokosuka base in September, showed
its aircraft's deck landing practice to the press yesterday.
Carrier-borne fighter-attack planes were lined up on the deck, and
they took off with a roar. The George Washington also received
supplies from a supply ship running alongside. "The exercise this
time will be a message to show that the United States will do its
best to maintain stability in the West Pacific," said George
Washington Carrier Strike Group Commander Richard Wren.
The George Washington is now on a training mission with the Maritime
Self-Defense Force in waters off the Nansei Shoto islands, including
exercises for anti-aircraft and anti-submarine warfare and also for
ballistic missile defense. This is the first time for the George
Washington to conduct such full-fledged training exercises in the
region since her deployment to the 7th Fleet. Participating in the
training exercises are about 25 vessels and 50 planes from the MSDF
and 14 vessels and about 70 planes from the U.S. Navy.
10) ASDF exhibited cluster bomb in troop review; Tamogami in charge
TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 1) (Full)
November 18, 2008
Even though the government has decided to scrap Japan's cluster
bombs, this paper has learned known that the Air Self-Defense Force
had exhibited a cluster bomb in a review of its troops on Oct. 19,
introducing it as a weapon that can be mounted on fighter planes.
The person responsible for the review was former ASDF Chief of Staff
Tamogami, who has been dismissed for his publication of an essay
differing from the government's view regarding a war of aggression.
Tamogami was opposed to prohibiting cluster munitions. Given this
fact, the cluster bomb might have been intentionally put on
display.
The ASDF review was held at the ASDF's Hyakuri Base in Ibaraki
Prefecture. There were about 7,000 people at the review, including
guests from abroad. The event was held in the presence of Prime
Minister Taro Aso, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, and brass
officers from the Self-Defense Forces. In addition to ASDF
aircraft's flight demonstrations, ASDF planes and missiles were
displayed.
The cluster bomb in question has about 200 bomblets that can kill or
TOKYO 00003166 008 OF 009
injure enemy troops in an area that is three times larger than a
soccer ground. It was displayed along with F-15 and F-2 fighter
planes exhibited in a hangar. Its explanatory panel did not refer to
the government's decision to scrap Japan's cluster bombs.
The Defense Ministry has already earmarked a total of 7.5 billion
yen in its budget request to study how to scrap the cluster bombs
and to procure alternative weapons. However, the government had
initially been opposed to banning the cluster munitions, taking the
position that such weapons are necessary for the defense of Japan as
a country with long coastlines. Especially, Tamogami insisted,
"Unexploded bombs could also damage (Japanese) people, but damage
from being occupied is far more serious."
The ASDF's public relations office commented: "It was on display in
the last review (three years ago), so we just showed it. There was
no particular intent. There was no order from Chief of Staff
Tamogami, either."
11) Iraq tenacious in negotiating with U.S. on security accord; SOFA
also studied
ASAHI (Page 8) (Full)
November 18, 2008
Iraq negotiated with the United States for a security agreement
after studying the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).
In early June, Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister Hammoud visited Japan
for five days. According to Japanese government officials, Hammoud
asked for detailed explanations about the SOFA's history and
implementation and showed interest particularly in criminal trial
procedures.
How to handle U.S. soldiers has been a matter of major concern in
Japan as well. Under the SOFA, Japan has primary jurisdiction over
off-duty crimes. However, the United States is to judge whether such
crimes were committed off duty. Municipalities saddled with U.S.
military bases are therefore greatly dissatisfied.
In particular, the problem is the case where the U.S. military
detained U.S. military suspects over off-duty incidents or
accidents. The SOFA stipulates that the U.S. military will detain
them until they are indicted.
In 1995, a schoolgirl rape that occurred in Okinawa Prefecture
enraged local people. In its aftermath, the Japanese and U.S.
governments concurred on improving the SOFA's implementation. The
United States then agreed to show "sympathetic consideration" for
Japanese investigative authorities' requests to hand over U.S.
military suspects in serious crimes, such as rape and murder, before
they are indicted. In 2004, Japan agreed to allow the presence of
those connected to the U.S. military when local police question U.S.
military suspects. Instead, Japan will request the U.S. military to
turn over U.S. military suspects in all criminal cases that
seriously concern Japan. The Iraqi vice minister was surprised to
hear the situation in Japan, saying Japan and the United States are
so advanced.
12) Japan slips to 98th place in gender quality ranking
ASAHI (Page 2) (Slightly abridged)
TOKYO 00003166 009 OF 009
November 18, 2008
(Shigeo Tosa, London)
The World Economic Forum, based in Geneva, has announced the latest
global gender gap report covering 130 countries. While Scandinavian
countries held the top positions, Japan's place dropped from 91 in
the previous year to 98. The slip is attributed to the number of
female lawmakers and the gender gap in terms of promotions.
The survey was conducted by creating indices in the political,
economic, education, and health areas. Japan did well in health, as
it came out on top as to the average life span. But Japan ranked
107th in the political area and 102nd in the economic area.
Norway, Finland, and Sweden held the top three places for three
years in a row. China rose from 73rd to 57th.
SCHIEFFER