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UNCLAS TOKYO 003998 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR I/RF, PA/PR/FPC/W, IIP/G/EA, EAP/PD, R/MR, 
EAP/J, EAP/P, PM; 
USTR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; 
TREASURY FOR OASIA/IMI; 
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA; 
CP BUTLER OKINAWA FOR AREA FIELD OFFICE; 
PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO JA
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION Q MIDDLE EAST - TOKYO 
 
 
LEAD STORIES: Wednesday morning's Yomiuri front-paged an 
interview Tuesday with Deputy Israeli Prime Minister 
Perez in Tel Aviv. During the interview, Perez turned 
down UN Secretary General Annan's proposal for the 
dispatch of an international force to stop fighting 
between Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants. 
 
¶1. "Lebanon Crisis: Syria's Isolation Deepening" The 
liberal Asahi's Cairo correspondent Tachino commented 
(7/19): "The deepening crisis in Lebanon has driven Syria 
into a tight corner. Syria has drawn criticism not just 
from the US but also from neighboring Arab countries for 
its role in supporting extremist groups that are roiling 
the region in violence. Though Syria is using the crisis 
to strengthen its anti-US cooperative relationship with 
Iran, there are growing concerns that Syria is, like 
Iran, becoming isolated within the international 
community. At an emergency Arab League foreign 
ministerial held last Saturday in Cairo, Saudi Arabia 
blasted Hezbollah and Syria.... 
 
¶2. "Most of the governments in the region are irritated 
that Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran and Syria, and 
the Palestinian extremist group Hamas have destabilized 
the Middle East through their unexpected actions.... What 
experts on Arab affairs are keeping a close watch on is 
Iran's expanding influence on Syria. Ever since the 
possibility emerged of a US strike on Iran in response to 
that country's nuclear program, there has been talk of 
Tehran launching a proxy war using extremists.... Iranian 
Foreign Minister Mottaki visited Damascus Monday for 
talks with Syrian President Assad to play up the friendly 
relations between their countries. A professor at the 
University of Damascus asks: 'How will Iran use its 
relationship with Syria in its confrontation with the US? 
It is possible that Tehran will seek to make a backroom 
deal with Washington, so Syria is becoming somewhat 
concerned.'" 
 
SCHIEFFER