MEDIA REACTION - PLANNED DEPLOYMENT OF MISSILE

UNCLAS TOKYO 002629 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 - PLANNED DEPLOYMENT OF MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM IN EASTERN EUROPE - TOKYO ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Tuesday morning's liberal Mainichi front- paged the alleged sale by the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) of its headquarters in Tokyo to a fund led by the former head of the Public Security Investigation Agency, which has monitored the group. ¶2. "Russia Should Discuss Missile Defense Calmly" The top- circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (6/12): "Some have voiced concern that the world may be standing on the threshold of a new Cold War. While it will not do to exaggerate that possibility, there is growing tension between the US and Russia, both of which are major missile powers. Given this, Japan has reason to be concerned about the standoff over missile defense (MD). The major point of contention between Washington and Moscow involves US plans to deploy an MD system in Europe by 2012 that includes a radar installation in the Czech Republic and 10 missile interceptors in Poland. Though the US contends that the system is intended to defend the US and Europe from Iran's long-range missiles under development, Russia is vehemently opposed out of the belief that it would upset the balance of power in Europe.... In a bid to break the stalemate, Russian President Putin proposed during his recent meeting with President Bush that the Russia and the US jointly use a radar site in Azerbaijan. Although Bush called Putin's proposal 'interesting,' the US will not readily accept it.... Nonetheless, Putin's proposal showed for the first time that Russia is open to a compromise. Although the US and Russia are still far apart, they should meet regularly to discuss the issue in a cool-headed manner." SCHIEFFER