Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO1079
2006-03-01 04:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
how-toVZCZCXRO2495 PP RUEHFK DE RUEHKO #1079 0600459 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 010459Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9179 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA PRIORITY RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI//N541// PRIORITY RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA// PRIORITY RUHBANB/OKINAWA FLD OFC US FORCES JAPAN CP BUTLER JA PRIORITY RHMFIUU/COMUSJAPAN YOKOTA AB JA PRIORITY INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 4863 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 7963 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0848 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0893 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 7043 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 9063 RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS TOKYO 001079
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 IRAN - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Wednesday papers front-paged a Tokyo
District Court ruling ordering MOFA to reveal how its
slush funds were used at its embassies abroad.
UNCLAS TOKYO 001079
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 IRAN - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Wednesday papers front-paged a Tokyo
District Court ruling ordering MOFA to reveal how its
slush funds were used at its embassies abroad.
1. "Iran Nuclear Standoff: Japan Should Do Its Utmost to
Stave off Sanctions" The liberal Mainichi editorialized
(3/1): "At a time of deepening international concern over
Iran's nuclear programs, Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki
visited Tokyo for talks with Prime Minister Koizumi,
Foreign Minister Aso, and METI Minister Nikai. In
response to their calls for Tehran to halt its nuclear
development, Mottaki defended Iran's uranium enrichment.
There is a strong likelihood that the UN Security Council
will consider sanctions if Iran does not change its
stance. We hope Iran will make a wise decision regarding
the nuclear standoff so as to prevent itself from being
isolated within the international community....
2. "Japan has had friendly relations with Iran since the
two countries resumed bilateral ties in 1953. Japan
imports about 15 percent of its oil from Iran, making it
the nation's third-largest supplier.... In February 2004,
Tokyo and Tehran concluded an agreement to jointly
develop the Azagaden oil field in southwest Iran. Japan
should keep up its relations with Iran given that this
project is a major energy interest. But no matter how
close bilateral ties might be, Japan cannot overlook
programs that could lead to the production of nuclear
weapons. Japan had no choice but to support the IAEA
decision to refer Iran to the UNSC, and it is only
natural that Japan is urging that country to suspend its
nuclear programs.... There are concerns that the
imposition of sanctions on Iran by the UNSC would throw
the world economy into chaos. Making use of its friendly
ties with Iran, there is a role for Japan to play as a
bridge between Tehran and the West, thus staving off
economic sanctions."
SCHIEFFER
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 IRAN - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Wednesday papers front-paged a Tokyo
District Court ruling ordering MOFA to reveal how its
slush funds were used at its embassies abroad.
1. "Iran Nuclear Standoff: Japan Should Do Its Utmost to
Stave off Sanctions" The liberal Mainichi editorialized
(3/1): "At a time of deepening international concern over
Iran's nuclear programs, Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki
visited Tokyo for talks with Prime Minister Koizumi,
Foreign Minister Aso, and METI Minister Nikai. In
response to their calls for Tehran to halt its nuclear
development, Mottaki defended Iran's uranium enrichment.
There is a strong likelihood that the UN Security Council
will consider sanctions if Iran does not change its
stance. We hope Iran will make a wise decision regarding
the nuclear standoff so as to prevent itself from being
isolated within the international community....
2. "Japan has had friendly relations with Iran since the
two countries resumed bilateral ties in 1953. Japan
imports about 15 percent of its oil from Iran, making it
the nation's third-largest supplier.... In February 2004,
Tokyo and Tehran concluded an agreement to jointly
develop the Azagaden oil field in southwest Iran. Japan
should keep up its relations with Iran given that this
project is a major energy interest. But no matter how
close bilateral ties might be, Japan cannot overlook
programs that could lead to the production of nuclear
weapons. Japan had no choice but to support the IAEA
decision to refer Iran to the UNSC, and it is only
natural that Japan is urging that country to suspend its
nuclear programs.... There are concerns that the
imposition of sanctions on Iran by the UNSC would throw
the world economy into chaos. Making use of its friendly
ties with Iran, there is a role for Japan to play as a
bridge between Tehran and the West, thus staving off
economic sanctions."
SCHIEFFER