MEDIA REACTION Q SIX-PARTY TALKS IN BEIJING -

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000646 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 Q SIX-PARTY TALKS IN BEIJING - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: All Wednesday morning papers gave top play to the six-party agreement reached Tuesday in Beijing, which stipulates that the DPRK will take initial steps toward nuclear dismantlement in return for energy support within 60 days. ¶1. "Six-Party Talks Accord: First Step Toward North Korea's Denuclearization" The business-oriented Nihon Keizai editorialized (2/14): "... Although efforts by US, Japanese, Chinese and other negotiators in dealing with their North Korean counterparts are understandable, we want to reconfirm that the agreement reached at the six- party talks is only the first step toward complete denuclearization by North Korea. Ambiguities remain in the handling of more than five plutonium-type nuclear bombs believed to be possessed by the North, plutonium extracted from spent fuel rods and a nuclear facility for developing enriched uranium-type nuclear bombs. As things stand, North Korea is still far from dismantling its nuclear program. The five member countries of the six- party talks need to join hands to accelerate future talks and have the North dispose of nuclear material and dismantle nuclear facilities in a 'complete and irreversible manner.' It was good that Japan stuck to its position of not giving assistance to or normalizing relations with North Korea without resolving the abduction issue." ¶2. "Six-Party Talks Accord Must Lead to North Korean Denuclearization" An editorial in the liberal Asahi commented (2/14): "... Under the accord, North Korea will shut down and seal nuclear facilities in Yongbyon and accept IAEA inspections in return for energy aid initially equal to 50,000 tons of heavy fuel oil and to about 950,000 tons of fuel oil if and when the North's denuclearization process progresses. The US will begin work to de-list North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism, with Japan also starting talks to normalize relations with the North. The international community has been betrayed several times by the North, which went back on its pledges to de-nuclearize. Though it may be too optimistic to think the North will faithfully abide by the accord, we hail the conclusion of a comprehensive accord, including the suspension of nuclear activity. There is no other way to proceed but with steady steps toward North Korean denuclearization, using this accord as leverage. There will be strong reaction to aid to the North, which stuck to its nuclear brinkmanship." ¶3. "Six-Party Talks Accord: No Way Seen Toward North Korea's Denuclearization" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (2/14): "Did the accord reached at the six-party talks in Beijing open a sure way toward denuclearization by North Korea? The accord left a major concern.... The US and Japan had urged the North to suspend its nuclear program, including uranium enrichment, in a 'complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.' The accord was far from attaining that goal.... Despite its nuclear test, the Kim Jong Il regime obtained the fruit of energy aid and the start of bilateral talks with the US. Pyongyang will deem these accomplishments a diplomatic victory.... The North will make unreasonable demands at future talks just as it did at the latest round of talks. As a matter of fact, the North insists that it will suspend its nuclear program only after receiving light-water nuclear reactors. The way to North Korean denuclearization will be extremely thorny." TOKYO 00000646 002 OF 002 SCHIEFFER