MEDIA REACTION IRAN/IRAQ - TOKYO

UNCLAS TOKYO 000785 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/IRAQ - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: Most Tuesday morning papers front-paged the indictment Monday by Tokyo prosecutors of former Livedoor President Horie and three other former executives of the company on charges of violating the Securities and Exchange Law. ¶1. "Iranian Nuclear Dispute: Tehran Hardening Its Stance Toward the US and Europe" The liberal Asahi's Tehran correspondent Anto commented (2/14): "Iran is deepening its confrontational stance toward the US and Europe by beginning preparations for uranium enrichment at its Natanz plant in central Iran. It is inevitable that Iran's nuclear activities will receive a 'minus' rating in IAEA Director General ElBaradei's report, which will be submitted at a regular meeting of the IAEA board of directors due to be held on March 6. With the dispute being referred to the UN Security Council, a confrontation between Tehran and the international community is fast approaching." ¶2. "Difficulties Ahead for New Iraqi Cabinet" Cairo correspondent Yanagisawa of the top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri observed (2/14): "Shia lawmakers on Sunday selected Prime Minister al-Jaafari of Iraq's transitional government as their candidate for prime minister of a new cabinet. This was nothing more than the first step on the long road to forming a permanent government. Non-Shia forces and the US harbor strong doubts about al-Jaafari's leadership, as sectarian conflict has intensified during his tenure. Moreover, he won the vote by a small margin, indicating a split within the Shia-dominated United Iraqi Alliance. With terrorism continuing unabated, political confusion is likely to reign in Iraq." SCHIEFFER