MEDIA REACTION QDR/IRAN - TOKYO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000625 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 QDR/IRAN - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: Most Monday morning papers front-paged the Japan-DPRK talks Sunday in Beijing, at which there was reportedly no progress on the abduction issue. ¶1. "QDR Reflects US Alarm over Looming Chinese Military Buildup" An editorial in the top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri commented (2/5): "The quadrennial defense review (QDR),issued by the Department of Defense, reflects rising US alarm over China, which has been building up its military arsenal. In the QDR, which outlines defense policies the US should pursue over the next 20 years, the DOD stressed the importance of continuing the war on terrorism and checking the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, as well as dealing with countries 'at strategic crossroads,' including China. The QDR attached particular importance to China, Russia and India as the nations whose decisions would become the key factors in deciding the international security environment of the 21st century. ¶2. "Despite being the only superpower in the world, the US alone cannot ensure global security. It is mandatory for the US to gain cooperation from countries other than its allies and friends in order to secure world security.... Although details of its military buildups have been veiled, it is certain that China has been building up its nuclear force and activating its naval force as a blue-water navy. To cope with China's armed buildup, the QDR clarified plans to maintain the deployment of six aircraft carriers in the Pacific, while reducing the number of carriers deployed worldwide from 12 to 11 under force transformation. While also making clear plans to deploy about 60 percent of all its submarines in the Pacific, the report also stressed the need to strengthen alliances with Japan, Australia and South Korea." ¶3. "Tehran Should Reflect on IAEA's Decision to Report Iran's Nuclear Development Program to the UNSC" The business-oriented Nihon Keizai editorialized (2/6): "Iran should seriously accept the IAEA's adoption Saturday of a resolution against its nuclear enrichment program and halt all of its related operations. Among the 35 members of the IAEA board of directors, only three nations voted against the resolution. The international community made clear its intention to block Iran's development of nuclear weapons.... However, the IAEA resolution set up a month-long 'cooling-off' period, waiting until after the outcome of talks at a new meeting of the IAEA board of directors scheduled for March 6, before starting deliberation on the issue. ¶4. "The move not only offers consideration to Russia and China, both of which oppose the immediate start of UNSC talks to discuss punitive measures against Iran, but also sends a signal to Iran not to take a hard-line stance but to settle the issue through talks. Despite this, Tehran reacted strongly to the IAEA resolution and threatened to resume its uranium enrichment program.... Russia and China are expected to intensify their efforts to persuade Iran not to take any hasty action, but there is no guarantee that such efforts will be successful. Tehran has denied any intention to produce nuclear weapons. If that is the case, what is wrong with Tehran accepting Russia's offer of enriching uranium and transporting it to Iran as nuclear fuel? Iran's negative reaction is regrettable.... Will Iran isolate itself from the international community? Tehran should 'cool down' and TOKYO 00000625 002 OF 002 decide whether this would be a wise choice." SCHIEFFER