TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - US-DPRK NUCLEAR ACCORD

UNCLAS TOKYO 004085 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: TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - US-DPRK NUCLEAR ACCORD LEAD STORIES: Tuesday morning papers front-paged Monday's statement released by a DPRK Foreign Ministry spokesperson that the US has agreed to delist North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism. ¶1. "Details Must be Thoroughly Worked Out" The liberal Asahi editorialized (9/4): "...It is good that the US and North Korea confirmed that Pyongyang will declare all of its nuclear facilities and disable them within this year. The issue here is how to hammer out the details.... Implementing nuclear disablement based on a North Korean declaration might be a realistic option. However, doing so while keeping the details of the declaration and disablement ambiguous will not lead to a comprehensive settlement of the nuclear issue. The US should keep in mind the doubts about its approach, as some observers are concerned that impatience to realize some sort of 'accomplishment' might lead Washington to make additional concessions and that the DPRK will likely seek to extract concessions by making a vague declaration of all of its facilities. The six-party talks will resume later this month, and the most pressing issue will be coming up with specific procedures for Pyongyang's declaration and disablement and the provision of 950,000 tons of heavy fuel oil and humanitarian assistance in return...." ¶2. "Questions Remain About Agreement" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri wrote (9/4): "...Citing the need to consult with relevant parties, Assistant Secretary of State Hill refused to reveal the details about the US-DPRK agreement on the declaration and disablement of North Korea's nuclear facilities within this year... It is important to implement measures to ensure that Pyongyang will never again be able to use its nuclear facilities and to shed light on the extent of its nuclear program. There must be no room for doubt allowed about the scope and extent of the DPRK declaration and disablement. This is the only way to put a brake on Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program. It is only after this has been ensured that we can move on to the 'next steps,' which include North Korea's abandonment of its nuclear weapons and plutonium." DONOVAN