MEDIA REACTION Q NORTH KOREA

UNCLAS TOKYO 005965 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 LEAD STORIES: Most Friday morning papers front-paged the US submission Thursday to the UN Security Council (UNSC) of a revised draft resolution calling for sanctions on North Korea. ¶1. "Sanctions on North Korea: Legal Framework Needed to Address Crisis" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (10/13): "Japan is facing a most serious threat from the North Korean nuclear test. Imposing sanctions is a matter of course, and the GOJ has moved to do so unilaterally without waiting for a resolution from the UN Security Council (UNSC). The measures include a complete ban on the entry of North Korean ships, the import of North Korean products, and the entry in principle of North Korean passport holders.... As a pillar of sanctions, the US insists on maritime inspections of ships entering or leaving North Korea so as to block the flow of materials and technology related to WMD development and proliferation. This measure should be included, but if maritime inspections do take place, Japan would have difficulty taking part, as its Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) does not have the authority to fire warning shots or forcefully stop suspicious ships.... PM Abe said at an Upper House session that considering how to deal with international contingencies is a major task for Japan. His remarks illustrate the limitations of the nation's present legal framework. It is a matter of course for the GOJ to consider enacting effective laws." SCHIEFFER