Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO7125
2006-12-26 02:04:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION - SIX-PARTY TALKS/IRAN - TOKYO

Tags:  OIIP KMDR KPAO JA 
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UNCLAS TOKYO 007125 

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 - SIX-PARTY TALKS/IRAN - TOKYO


LEAD STORIES: Tuesday morning's Yomiuri front-paged a
finding that North Korea has started selling gold bullion
on the international market to acquire hard currency since
the US imposed financial sanctions on the North last year.
The daily said Pyongyang has exported bullion worth 28
million USD to Thailand.

UNCLAS TOKYO 007125

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 - SIX-PARTY TALKS/IRAN - TOKYO


LEAD STORIES: Tuesday morning's Yomiuri front-paged a
finding that North Korea has started selling gold bullion
on the international market to acquire hard currency since
the US imposed financial sanctions on the North last year.
The daily said Pyongyang has exported bullion worth 28
million USD to Thailand.


1. "Sanctions on DPRK Should Be Strengthened" The top-
circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (12/23): "The
six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear ambitions went
into recess without any substantial progress or even a
date for the next round.... There is no meaningful way in
which the six-party talks can continue if the
participating countries cannot stop Pyongyang's push for
nuclear development. The other five countries - Japan, the
US, China, South Korea and Russia - must work out a common
strategy, including strengthened sanctions, to deal with
this issue.... North Korea avoided bilateral talks with
Japan. It did not show a sincere attitude toward
addressing the abduction issue, to which Japan attaches
great importance. As things stand, the international
community has little choice but to strengthen sanctions on
Pyongyang."


2. "UNSC Resolution Should Be Used as an Opportunity to
Induce Change in Iran" An editorial in the business-
oriented Nihon Keizai stated (12/26): "For the first time,
the UN Security Council (UNSC) has adopted a resolution
imposing sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programs. In
an earlier resolution adopted in July, the UNSC urged
Tehran to halt uranium enrichment by the end of August.
Defying this, Iran has been continuing to enrich uranium.
Tehran should accept this unanimous UNSC resolution in a
serious manner.... If Russia and China continue to
prioritize their economic interests, it will send the
wrong message to Tehran. A unified international
diplomatic approach is indispensable to inducing Iran to
change course."


3. "Don't Miss Signs of Change in Iran" The liberal Asahi
editorialized (12/26): "The UNSC adopted a sanctions
resolution against Iran for the first time. But
considering the signs of change there as manifested in
recent local elections, the international community needs
to maintain a flexible stance towards Tehran. Noteworthy
was the fact that conservative hardliners suffered
crushing defeats. Pro-Rafsanjani and pro-Khatami clerics
also gained in influence.... We want to support the
budding change in sentiment in Iran. To this end, the US
should step away from its hostile policy. Without
dialogue, it will be impossible to effect a change in
Iran's nuclear policy."

DONOVAN