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

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decide whether this would be a wise choice."

SCHIEFFER