TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - SIX-PARTY TALKS

UNCLAS TOKYO 004574 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 - SIX-PARTY TALKS LEAD STORIES: All Monday morning Japanese dailies gave front-page coverage to a provisional six-party accord on North Korea's disablement of three nuclear facilities within this year, as well as UN Special Emissary to Burma Gambari's meeting with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon on Sunday. ¶1. "Vague Accord Will Create Problems for Future" The conservative Sankei editorialized (10/1): "There is a high possibility that the provisional six-party deal will create problems for the future, given that the definition of disablement, as well as its scope and procedures, remains vague and limited. Although disablement is supposedly to take place by year's end, it is unclear whether this means that it will start or be completed by then. Regrettably, the situation as it stands will allow North Korea to buy time.... The September 2005 six-party joint statement saying that 'the DPRK committed to abandoning all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs' must not be forgotten. The Bush administration's initial goal of realizing complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization appears to have disappeared. Just prior to the latest round of the six-party talks, allegations surfaced that North Korea had transferred nuclear technology to Syria. This demonstrates serious flaws in Washington's soft line toward the DPRK. While Assistant Secretary of State Hill has stated that the ultimate goal is complete denuclearization, there is no guarantee that this goal will be achieved." ¶2. "Has Roadmap for Disablement Been Completed?" An editorial in the top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri commented (10/1): "It is important to create a firm roadmap for the implementation of the 'next steps.' Leaving the agreement open to interpretation is unacceptable, as North Korea will stall or look for loopholes in the denuclearization process.... Nuclear disablement does not mean nuclear dismantlement. Disablement is aimed at laying the foundation for the third stage in the denuclearization process by creating a situation in which North Korea cannot easily resume its nuclear programs. Negotiations in the third stage will be the most difficult, as they are intended to have North Korea surrender its nuclear weapons and plutonium. This is something that directly affects Japan's security. Despite the recent deal, there are no grounds for optimism that it will serve as a stepping stone toward the next stage." ¶3. "Dialogue and Pressure Still Needed" The business- oriented Nikkei editorialized (10/1): "The provisional six-party accord is insufficient, as it specifies only three facilities subject to disablement. A combination of dialogue and pressure is essential for North Korea's complete denuclearization and a resolution of the abduction issue.... Prime Minister Fukuda has referred to the necessity for dialogue, but pressure is sometimes necessary to get the DPRK to take actions. In this regard, it was appropriate for the GOJ to decide on a six-month extension of its economic sanctions on the DPRK." DONOVAN