TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - SIX-PARTY TALKS

UNCLAS TOKYO 004653 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: Most Japanese dailies led with the Chinese release of the recent six-party agreement on the disablement of North Korean nuclear facilities, as well as the planned issuance today of a joint declaration by South Korean President Roh and his DPRK counterpart Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang concerning the creation of a "permanent peace regime" on the Korean Peninsula. ¶1. "Step Forward toward Denuclearization" The liberal Asahi editorialized (10/4): "... US experts have come to the view that the level of uranium enrichment by North Korea has not yet reached a stage where it can manufacture weapons-grade uranium. This being the case, the disablement of three facilities in Yongbyon can be called a realistic decision. North Korea reportedly plans to build a larger nuclear reactor, but it appears that little progress has been made on the initiative. It seems a minimum level of agreement was forged, because North Korea under the accord can no longer produce nuclear weapons materials... It is true that the latest six-party agreement is insufficient, including on how to deal with nuclear weapons that have already been assembled. But, the accord, perhaps, gave priority to the settlement of a pressing agenda item over an across-the-board, perfect solution. It is important to implement the deal as is." ¶2. "Problems Remain for Japan" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri wrote in an editorial (10/4): "The six- party agreement is problematic for Japan, which has called for the complete denuclearization of North Korea.... Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura welcomed the accord, but it contains no clear guarantees regarding North Korea's implementation of the deal. There are many ambiguities in it ... such as whether the plutonium that the DPRK has already produced and its nuclear weapons are included in the 'complete and accurate declaration' of the nuclear programs that Pyongyang is obligated to provide. The six-party document also avoids the issue of uranium enrichment, and its failure to specify verification measures for the declaration is troubling. If loopholes and omissions are permitted in the declaration, the goal of complete denuclearization cannot be accomplished." ¶3. "Will DPRK Keep Its Promises?" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun wrote (10/4): "...The September 2005 six-party agreement stated that North Korea promised to give up all its nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs. A retreat from this basic line would make the ultimate goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula unattainable. The key to preventing this lies in the issue of delisting North Korea as a state sponsor of terror. The DPRK has long dwelled on this issue, as it constitutes the core of sanctions against the country.... Delisting should occur only after North Korean nuclear dismantlement, as well as after clarification of Pyongyang's involvement in acts of terrorism and the release of Japanese abductees. Of late, the six-party talks have been driven forward by the US and DPRK. If the Bush administration makes one concession after another in a rush to secure diplomatic success by the end of the year, that could create problems for the future. The US has a heavy responsibility." DONOVAN