MEDIA REACTION NORTH KOREA - TOKYO

UNCLAS TOKYO 003415 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 NORTH KOREA - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: Most Tuesday morning papers front-paged a GOJ plan to announce a withdrawal of GSDF troops from the southern Iraqi city of Samawah. Prime Minister Koizumi will make an official announcement of the plan at a press conference today. ¶1. "Taepodong: A Chance to Think About the Defense of Japan" The conservative Sankei editorialized (6/20): "North Korea is preparing to launch a Taepodong-2 long- range missile. This would be a grave violation of the Pyongyang Declaration, which includes an extended moratorium on North Korean missile launches. At a press conference, Prime Minister Koizumi said that Japan would have to take strong measures in event of a launch. ¶2. "Should North Korea launch the missile, Japan will have to impose sanctions on Pyongyang in cooperation with the US and the international community. Meanwhile, the GOJ should consider whether Japan is fully prepared to defend itself against ballistic missiles. Even assuming that this is an example of North Korea's brinkmanship, Japan should take this opportunity to review the nation's inadequate defenses." ¶3. "North Korea Must Immediately Cease Provocative Action" An editorial in the liberal Mainichi commented (6/20): "Is this provocative action yet another example of the brinkmanship at which North Korea excels...? There is evidence suggesting that the North Koreans have already put liquid fuel into a Taepodong-2 missile. With an eye toward imposing sanctions, the US, Japan, and other members of the international community are continuing to strongly call on Pyongyang to exercise restraint. The situation is becoming more tense by the day.... ¶4. "We wonder whether this provocative act is intended chiefly to rattle the US.... A missile launch would run counter to the Pyongyang Declaration, an agreement between the US and the DPRK, and the joint statement adopted at the six-party talks. It would also further isolate the North from the international community.... Foreign Minister Aso and US Ambassador Schieffer agreed that in the event of a launch, Japan and the US will take strong measures, including calling for the UN Security Council to convene to discuss sanctions on Pyongyang." SCHIEFFER