Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO1281
2006-03-10 03:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
how-toVZCZCXRO4368 PP RUEHFK DE RUEHKO #1281/01 0690329 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 100329Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9588 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 5059 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 8179 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1060 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0920 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 7251 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 9239 RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 001281
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: All Tokyo papers gave top play to the Bank
of Japan's decision Thursday to end its five-year policy
of quantitative easing.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 001281
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: All Tokyo papers gave top play to the Bank
of Japan's decision Thursday to end its five-year policy
of quantitative easing.
1. "US, Iran Should Not Take Path to Confrontation" The
liberal Mainichi editorialized (3/10): "It is worrying
that the US and Iran are escalating their 'war of words'
over Tehran's nuclear development and the two nations'
policies towards Iraq. These two countries should not go
down the path toward confrontation. Iran, which has
failed to dispel international suspicions concerning its
nuclear program, bears full responsibility for the
international decision to refer it to the UN Security
Council. Although Tehran has threatened the international
community by suggesting possible retaliatory measures, it
should work harder to resolve the standoff.... President
Bush, partly out of interest in Iranian oil, was in his
early days in office forward-looking about improving US
relations with Iran. However, his 2002 State of the Union
Address, in which he termed Iran a member of an 'axis of
evil,' re-chilled the slowly thawing relations between
Washington and Tehran.... The US launched the Iraq war
following its attack on Afghanistan. It comes as no
surprise that Tehran felt a sense of crisis after
watching the regimes of two of its neighbors fall. One
key to a solution to the Iranian nuclear issue may be
mutual concessions between Washington and Tehran.... The
US is unlikely to hastily impose sanctions on Iran. Vice
President Cheney, however, stated that Iran would face
'meaningful consequences' if it continues to enrich
uranium.... Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld is stepping up
his criticism of Iran for interfering in the maintenance
of security in Iraq by sending troops into that country.
A continued war of words would play into the hands of US
hawks and lead to an escalation of the crisis.... To
reach a breakthrough in the current stalemate, the US may
require a different perspective. Is US 'containment' of
Iran even advisable? Iraq's Shiites owe Iran for its aid
in the struggle against Saddam Hussein. To help unite
Iraq, which is on the verge of civil war, cooperation
between the US and Iran is indispensable. Such
cooperation would also help resolve the nuclear
standoff."
2. "International Community Must Work in Concert to
Resolve Iranian Nuclear Issue" The top-circulation,
center-right Yomiuri said in its editorial (3/10): "The
international community needs to urge Iran to stop
enriching and reprocessing uranium by keeping sanctions
in mind.... According to a report by the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),Iran began operating a
centrifuge last month. This move flies in the face of
international concerns. What Tehran should do first is
restore its damaged credibilty.... The UN Security
Council is scheduled to meet next week, but there are
some causes for concern.... While the US and European
nations are willing to consider sanctions on Tehran to
stop its nuclear development ... Russia and China remain
reluctant to impose punitive measures. This international
discord is one of the reasons behind Iran's insistence
that it will never give in to political pressure or
threats.... In order to avoid a nightmare scenario,
leaders of the international community need to look
beyond short-term interests and act responsibly. The long-
term interests of the international community should be
given top priority. Japan is continuing with its own
efforts to convince Iran to abandon its nuclear
ambitions, such as by inviting Foreign Minister Mottaki
TOKYO 00001281 002 OF 002
to Japan. Every available method needs to used to
persuade Iran to change."
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: All Tokyo papers gave top play to the Bank
of Japan's decision Thursday to end its five-year policy
of quantitative easing.
1. "US, Iran Should Not Take Path to Confrontation" The
liberal Mainichi editorialized (3/10): "It is worrying
that the US and Iran are escalating their 'war of words'
over Tehran's nuclear development and the two nations'
policies towards Iraq. These two countries should not go
down the path toward confrontation. Iran, which has
failed to dispel international suspicions concerning its
nuclear program, bears full responsibility for the
international decision to refer it to the UN Security
Council. Although Tehran has threatened the international
community by suggesting possible retaliatory measures, it
should work harder to resolve the standoff.... President
Bush, partly out of interest in Iranian oil, was in his
early days in office forward-looking about improving US
relations with Iran. However, his 2002 State of the Union
Address, in which he termed Iran a member of an 'axis of
evil,' re-chilled the slowly thawing relations between
Washington and Tehran.... The US launched the Iraq war
following its attack on Afghanistan. It comes as no
surprise that Tehran felt a sense of crisis after
watching the regimes of two of its neighbors fall. One
key to a solution to the Iranian nuclear issue may be
mutual concessions between Washington and Tehran.... The
US is unlikely to hastily impose sanctions on Iran. Vice
President Cheney, however, stated that Iran would face
'meaningful consequences' if it continues to enrich
uranium.... Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld is stepping up
his criticism of Iran for interfering in the maintenance
of security in Iraq by sending troops into that country.
A continued war of words would play into the hands of US
hawks and lead to an escalation of the crisis.... To
reach a breakthrough in the current stalemate, the US may
require a different perspective. Is US 'containment' of
Iran even advisable? Iraq's Shiites owe Iran for its aid
in the struggle against Saddam Hussein. To help unite
Iraq, which is on the verge of civil war, cooperation
between the US and Iran is indispensable. Such
cooperation would also help resolve the nuclear
standoff."
2. "International Community Must Work in Concert to
Resolve Iranian Nuclear Issue" The top-circulation,
center-right Yomiuri said in its editorial (3/10): "The
international community needs to urge Iran to stop
enriching and reprocessing uranium by keeping sanctions
in mind.... According to a report by the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),Iran began operating a
centrifuge last month. This move flies in the face of
international concerns. What Tehran should do first is
restore its damaged credibilty.... The UN Security
Council is scheduled to meet next week, but there are
some causes for concern.... While the US and European
nations are willing to consider sanctions on Tehran to
stop its nuclear development ... Russia and China remain
reluctant to impose punitive measures. This international
discord is one of the reasons behind Iran's insistence
that it will never give in to political pressure or
threats.... In order to avoid a nightmare scenario,
leaders of the international community need to look
beyond short-term interests and act responsibly. The long-
term interests of the international community should be
given top priority. Japan is continuing with its own
efforts to convince Iran to abandon its nuclear
ambitions, such as by inviting Foreign Minister Mottaki
TOKYO 00001281 002 OF 002
to Japan. Every available method needs to used to
persuade Iran to change."
SCHIEFFER