MEDIA REACTION Q NORTH KOREA - TOKYO

UNCLAS TOKYO 003817 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 Q NORTH KOREA - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: There were no papers published Monday morning because of a press holiday. Top stories on quasi- governmental NHK-TV this morning include the pending UNSC resolution calling for economic sanctions against North Korea over its recent missile launches. ¶1. "North Korea: Provocative Acts Will Gain It Nothing" The liberal Asahi editorialized (7/9): "During a press conference Friday, Song Il Ho, the North Korean ambassador for normalization talks with Japan, said in a sharp tone that relations between North Korea and Japan have gone beyond a bad situation and have entered a confrontational stage. According to Song, the DPRK's relations with Japan are worse than its relations with the US. Although the North Korean state media occasionally curse Japan as the country's 'longstanding archenemy' or say that Tokyo and Pyongyang are 'on a collision course,' it is unusual for the senior North Korean diplomat in charge of normalization talks to publicly denounce Japan. It was most likely an expression of Pyongyang's anxiety and anger about Japan's quick move to submit to the UN Security Council (UNSC) a resolution condemning the North's missile launches and tighten the net around the country. ¶2. "Moreover, though North Korea is eager to hold direct talks with the US, Washington remains indifferent. A sense of deadlock may lay behind Song's harsh words.... The US, Japan, Britain, and France have jointly submitted a resolution to the UNSC that would allow sanctions on the DPRK. Pyongyang, though, may be convinced that such a resolution cannot gain Chinese and Russian support. The international community is angry over these irresponsible missile launches and is concerned about the unfavorable impact on peace. All countries are in agreement on this point. The longer North Korea continues with these provocations, the worse situation it will find itself in. These harsh words and provocations will not benefit Pyongyang. The DPRK should stop making threats and deal with the international community in a sincere manner." SCHIEFFER