MEDIA REACTION Q IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM - TOKYO

UNCLAS TOKYO 005009 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'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: All Friday morning Tokyo papers front-paged an IAEA report that Iran appears to be continuing uranium enrichment in defiance of a UNSC resolution. ¶1. "China, Russia Still Pursuing Dialogue" The liberal Mainichi's New York correspondent wrote (9/1): "The IAEA Thursday submitted a report to the UNSC that Iran is continuing uranium enrichment. The focus of discussion at the UNSC will now shift to whether or not to adopt economic sanctions in order to apply further pressure on Tehran. However, there are voices in China, Russia, and Europe calling for continuing dialogue, so it will likely be some time until deliberations on sanctions begin in earnest.... ¶2. "However, even if there is movement on sanctions, the initial steps are likely to be limited to a ban on foreign travel by senior Iranian officials, a freeze on Iranian financial assets abroad, and a prohibition on providing nuclear and missile technology to Tehran. The prevailing view is that it will be difficult to implement sanctions effective enough to make Iran give up its nuclear program." DONOVAN