Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO722
2006-02-09 05:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION NORTH KOREA - TOKYO
how-toVZCZCXRO0806 PP RUEHFK DE RUEHKO #0722 0400533 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 090533Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8462 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA PRIORITY RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI//N541// PRIORITY RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA// PRIORITY RUHBANB/OKINAWA FLD OFC US FORCES JAPAN CP BUTLER JA PRIORITY RHMFIUU/COMUSJAPAN YOKOTA AB JA PRIORITY INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 4515 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 7578 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0500 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0862 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 6685 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 8768 RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS TOKYO 000722
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 NORTH KOREA - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Thursday morning's Mainichi and Tokyo
Shimbun front-paged a USDA OIG report on the finding of
downer cattle entering the food supply.
UNCLAS TOKYO 000722
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 NORTH KOREA - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Thursday morning's Mainichi and Tokyo
Shimbun front-paged a USDA OIG report on the finding of
downer cattle entering the food supply.
1. "After Japan-DPRK Talks: Watching North Korea's Next
Step" The liberal Asahi editorialized (2/9): "The Japan-
DPRK talks that started Saturday in Beijing came to a
close Wednesday without producing any noticeable results.
Both sides only agreed to continue the bilateral
dialogue. Chief Japanese negotiator Haraguchi's
indignation over Pyongyang's lack of sincerity and desire
to bring progress to the talks is understandable. Not
only did the North Koreans not offer a reasonable
response to Japan's calls to clarify the truth concerning
the abductions and to hand those responsible over to
Japan; they actually made the outrageous demand that
Japan should surrender NGO personnel who have helped
North Koreans to escape from their country. Although
Japan's basic policy has been to deal with North Korea
through a combination of dialogue and pressure, the
pattern of such behavior on the part of Pyongyang will
inevitably ramp up public support for pressure. The North
Koreans should seriously take this into account.
2. "Progress was lacking not only on the abduction issue
but also on North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.
Additionally, Japanese negotiators inquired about North
Korean counterfeiting and money laundering. Throughout
the meetings, though, the DPRK showed no willingness to
listen.... North Korea probably agreed to meet with Japan
in order to demonstrate to the US and China its intention
to continue dialogue, including the six-party talks in
Beijing. Although it appears that Pyongyang is playing
for time, Kim Jong Il recently visited China, and there
has been behind-the-scenes contact with the US, as well.
We want to keep a close eye on North Korea's next step."
SCHIEFFER
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 NORTH KOREA - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Thursday morning's Mainichi and Tokyo
Shimbun front-paged a USDA OIG report on the finding of
downer cattle entering the food supply.
1. "After Japan-DPRK Talks: Watching North Korea's Next
Step" The liberal Asahi editorialized (2/9): "The Japan-
DPRK talks that started Saturday in Beijing came to a
close Wednesday without producing any noticeable results.
Both sides only agreed to continue the bilateral
dialogue. Chief Japanese negotiator Haraguchi's
indignation over Pyongyang's lack of sincerity and desire
to bring progress to the talks is understandable. Not
only did the North Koreans not offer a reasonable
response to Japan's calls to clarify the truth concerning
the abductions and to hand those responsible over to
Japan; they actually made the outrageous demand that
Japan should surrender NGO personnel who have helped
North Koreans to escape from their country. Although
Japan's basic policy has been to deal with North Korea
through a combination of dialogue and pressure, the
pattern of such behavior on the part of Pyongyang will
inevitably ramp up public support for pressure. The North
Koreans should seriously take this into account.
2. "Progress was lacking not only on the abduction issue
but also on North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.
Additionally, Japanese negotiators inquired about North
Korean counterfeiting and money laundering. Throughout
the meetings, though, the DPRK showed no willingness to
listen.... North Korea probably agreed to meet with Japan
in order to demonstrate to the US and China its intention
to continue dialogue, including the six-party talks in
Beijing. Although it appears that Pyongyang is playing
for time, Kim Jong Il recently visited China, and there
has been behind-the-scenes contact with the US, as well.
We want to keep a close eye on North Korea's next step."
SCHIEFFER