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tazzygirl -> RE: WTF was he thinking? Does Obama even have half a brain (10/12/2011 11:33:43 AM)
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(C) VFM Yabunaka pointed out that the Japanese public
will have high expectations toward President Obama's visit to
Japan in November, as the President enjoys an historic level
of popularity among the Japanese people. Anti-nuclear
groups, in particular, will speculate whether the President
would visit Hiroshima in light of his April 5 Prague speech
on non-proliferation. He underscored, however, that both
governments must temper the public's expectations on such
issues, as the idea of President Obama visiting Hiroshima to
apologize for the atomic bombing during World War II is a
"non-starter." While a simple visit to Hiroshima without
fanfare is sufficiently symbolic to convey the right message,
it is premature to include such program in the November
visit. Yabunaka recommended that the visit in November
center mostly in Tokyo, with calls on the Emperor and Prime
Minister, as well as some form of public program, such as
speeches, an engagement at a university, or a town hall-like
meeting with local residents. Highlighting the busy
political calendar in the coming weeks, including the
election of the new Prime Minister, launching of the new
Cabinet, and the Prime Minister's participation in the UN
General Assembly and the Pittsburgh G-20 Summit, Yabunaka
noted that both sides should begin working quickly on the
President's November visit. The Ambassador conveyed an
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