MEDIA REACTION Q NORTH KOREA - TOKYO

UNCLAS TOKYO 006007 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: Most Monday morning papers front-paged the unanimous adoption Saturday by the UN Security Council (UNSC) of a resolution imposing sanctions on the DPRK. ¶1. "UNSC Sanctions on North Korea: Effective, Specific Measures Needed" An editorial in the top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri commented (10/16): "The international community has decided to impose a wide range of sanctions on North Korea, which claims to have conducted a nuclear test. Although the UNSC sanctions reflect compromises between the Japan-US group and the China-Russia camp, an international net is for the time being encircling North Korea, which is continuing to pursue nuclear arms. Each country should immediately take effective and specific measures against North Korea.... Japan faces a direct threat from the DPRK's development of missiles and nuclear weapons. Tokyo has already imposed unilateral sanctions on Pyongyang, including a complete ban on the entry of North Korean ships into Japanese ports. With the adoption of the UNSC resolution, inspections of ships entering and leaving North Korea will become an issue that the GOJ will have to face." ¶2. "No Prospects for Nation That Defies UNSC Resolutions" The business-oriented Nihon Keizai editorialized (10/16): "In the history of the UN, no nation besides North Korea has over a period of three months ignored three unanimous UNSC warnings, resolutions, or statements of condemnation. The UNSC adopted a resolution on economic sanctions, including a ban on the export to North Korea of WMD-related materials and technology, as well as inspections of ships entering and leaving the DPRK. It is significant that the UNSC unanimously adopted a resolution only five days after North Korea announced that it conducted a nuclear test.... The resolution contains language hinting at additional measures in the event that North Korea conducts a second nuclear test. The international community needs to be prepared for a long period of tension." ¶3. "UNSC Resolution: Unity Should Be Used for Diplomacy" An editorial in the liberal Asahi commented (10/16): "The UNSC adopted a resolution on North Korea. All the 15 members of the UNSC, including Japan, the US, China, and Russia, unanimously adopted the resolution just six days after Pyongyang's claimed nuclear test. The resolution condemns North Korea's action as a clear threat to international peace and a flagrant disregard for global nuclear nonproliferation efforts. What North Korea has done is unpardonable, and we welcome this strong manifestation of international determination. Kim Jong Il should take this seriously and move immediately to abandon his country's nuclear program. Such is the obligation of a UN member state." SCHIEFFER