MEDIA REACTION - JAPAN-DPRK Talks in HANOI -

UNCLAS TOKYO 001021 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 - JAPAN-DPRK Talks in HANOI - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: Most Friday morning papers front-paged Thursday's completion of the two-day Japan-DPRK normalization talks in Hanoi, noting that there was no progress on the abduction front. ¶1. "Don't Let North Korea Have Its Way" The top- circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (3/9): "If the just-ended two-day Japan-DPRK normalization talks in Hanoi are any indication, future negotiations will see many ups and downs.... Japan cannot normalize relations with North Korea without resolving the abductions, which trampled on the nation's sovereignty, and it must also urge Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear and missile programs, which threaten the nation's security.... North Korea's stance throughout the two days of meetings was extremely insincere. The DPRK appears to be trying to drive a wedge between Japan and the other countries involved in the six-party talks.... As the international net around North Korea appears to have loosened, North Korea may be trying to contrast its stalled talks with Japan and its 'constructive' talks with the US to give the impression that it is Japan that stands in the way of progress in the six-party talks." SCHIEFFER