TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - SIX-PARTY TALKS AND

UNCLAS TOKYO 004684 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 AND INTER-KOREAN SUMMIT LEAD STORIES: Most Japanese dailies led with the joint declaration signed on Thursday by ROK President Roh Moo Hyun and DPRK leader Kim Jong Il. ¶1. "Problems Remain in Six-Party Agreement" The conservative Sankei editorialized (10/5): "...The latest round of the six-party talks looked for a detailed roadmap for implementing the 'next phase' actions. However, the joint statement announced on Wednesday lacks details, and it is problematic in that many elements were left ambiguous.... The USG has welcomed the planned disablement of three nuclear facilities in North Korea as a means to stop the DPRK from producing additional plutonium. However, halting additional production is only the first step toward denuclearization. It is clear that denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula will not be realized until such issues as how much nuclear material Pyongyang possesses are addressed." ¶2. "Colorful Words Not Enough" The liberal Asahi said in an editorial (10/5): "ROK President Roh and DPRK leader Kim Jong Il signed a joint declaration.... It is certain that the move will help promote peace and stability in the region.... Attention was paid to how the nuclear issue would be addressed in the inter-Korean summit. However, there was no progress on the matter, as the declaration only pledged cooperation on efforts to implement the agreement and joint statement adopted by members of the six-party talks.... Pyongyang should steadily fulfill its pledges, as it has confirmed its commitment in the inter-Korean declaration." ¶3. "Denuclearization is Precondition for Peace and Prosperity on Korean Peninsula" The economic-oriented Nikkei editorialized (10/5): "The first inter-Korean summit in seven year ended with the signing of a joint declaration by ROK President Roh and DPRK leader Kim Joint Il. Although the two nations proposed four-way talks involving the US and China to formally end the Korean War and create permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula, it should not be forgotten that complete denuclearization by North Korea is a precondition for this." DONOVAN