MEDIA REACTION IRAN - TOKYO

UNCLAS TOKYO 000696 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 IRAN - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: Most Wednesday morning papers front-paged the Imperial Household Agency's announcement Tuesday that Princess Kiko is six weeks pregnant with her third child. ¶1. "Iran Must Halt Uranium Enrichment" The liberal Asahi editorialized (2/8): "... Members of the board of directors at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have adopted a resolution referring the matter of Iran's suspected nuclear development to the UN Security Council, meaning that the situation has become more serious. It is highly significant that the international community, which had been seen as divided on the matter, almost unanimously adopted the resolution with the support of China and Russia. Iran should take this resolution seriously.... Despite the referral to the UNSC, however, there will not be discussions about economic sanctions anytime soon, as the IAEA director is expected to report to the UNSC on the situation again in March. To break the impasse, a plan is afoot for Russia to enrich Iran's uranium in order to prevent Tehran from using it for military purposes. Iran and Russia are expected to discuss the matter in mid-February, and the IAEA will keep a close eye on developments in that area. ¶2. "Iranian President Ahmadinejad, meanwhile, has said that no amount of IAEA resolutions can block Iran's nuclear development, and displayed a hard-line stance towards any international pressure. Public opinion in Iran, both among conservatives and reformists, is coming to view nuclear development as a matter of pride for the Islamic nation, and opposition to foreign pressure is growing. Nationalism is rising, as Shia Iranians will hold important religious events this month. Using this nationalism to bolster a confrontational stance is extremely dangerous. The international community is not denying Iran the right to the peaceful use of nuclear power; the problem is that Tehran continues to take actions that run counter to the safeguard measures based on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.... Both China and Russia have important roles to play in persuading Iran to halt its uranium enrichment program. Time is running out. The international community should attempt to somehow resolve this issue diplomatically before moving forward with sanctions on Tehran." SCHIEFFER