MEDIA REACTION US-INDIA NUCLEAR PACT

UNCLAS TOKYO 001131 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 US-INDIA NUCLEAR PACT - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: Most Friday morning papers front-paged President Bush's talks with Indian Prime Minister Singh Thursday in New Delhi, at which the two leaders signed a landmark civilian nuclear cooperation pact. ¶1. "The Risk of the US Approving of a Nuclear India" The liberal Asahi editorialized (3/3): "... President Bush made his first visit to India and reached an agreement with Indian Prime Minister Singh concerning the peaceful use of nuclear power. Under the accord, India will have separate nuclear facilities for military and civilian purposes and will accept IAEA inspections of its civilian facilities. In return, the US will provide peaceful nuclear technology and fuel.... India, which has an independent nuclear policy, is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty or the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, on the grounds that these agreements, which allow only the US, Russia, Britain, France, and China to possess nuclear arms, are essentially unequal. India conducted two nuclear tests in 1998, prompting neighboring Pakistan to undertake its own. The US, along with Japan and EU nations, criticized both countries and temporarily imposed sanctions on them. ¶2. "This agreement represents a change in US policy and Washington's virtual recognition of India as a nuclear weapons state. There was no objection from France or Russia, both of which are aiming to enter the market for nuclear plants in India. For Japan, the only country in history to have been on the receiving end of atomic weapons, which has since been strongly opposed to nuclear proliferation and has called for the abolition of nuclear arms, this is unacceptable. It was the shock of 9/11 that led to this change in US policy. Since then, the US has attached greater importance to the 'war on terrorism' than to the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction. India, which is surrounded by Islamic countries, has for the US become a 'front-line state in the war on terror.'... The rise of China is another major factor behind this policy turnabout. It is clear that the US is trying to keep Beijing in check by bringing India onto its side politically.... This agreement will certainly result in growing dissatisfaction in Pakistan, and neither Iran nor North Korea, both of which are under strong pressure to halt their nuclear programs, will be able to countenance it." SCHIEFFER