MEDIA REACTION Q IRAN - TOKYO

UNCLAS TOKYO 004845 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 IRAN - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: Thursday morning's Sankei gave top play to a report that Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe is considering the establishment of a Japanese version of the CIA if and when he becomes prime minister. ¶1. "Iran's Answer: Halting Uranium Enrichment the First Step to Regaining Trust" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (8/24): "Iran does not appear at all prepared to listen to the voices of those in the international community concerned about nuclear proliferation. It appears that Iran has effectively rejected the incentives package offered by the P-5 plus Germany. Although the contents of the reply have not been announced, Tehran has avoided mentioning the uranium enrichment program that the package calls for it to halt, instead proposing a new approach to negotiations.... We are forced to believe that Iran's proposal for new negotiations is nothing but an attempt to derail discussions about sanctions in the UNSC." ¶2. "Iranian Nuclear Issue: Buying Time Cannot Be Allowed" An editorial in the liberal Asahi commented (8/24): "Considering Iran's response, the international community cannot help but suspect Iran is simply buying time. In reply to a comprehensive incentives package offered by the P-5 plus Germany, Tehran rejected the idea of halting uranium enrichment and proposed continuing negotiations. In the end, this must be viewed as a strategy for keeping its uranium enrichment program.... Israel, which attacked Hezbollah in Lebanon, believes that Iran is supporting the Islamic militant organization. If Iran goes ahead with its uranium enrichment, the tension between Israel and Iran will rise further.... At present, the most important thing to do is to continue negotiating with Tehran until the end-of-August deadline set by the UNSC." DONOVAN