TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - SECRETARY RICE'S

UNCLAS TOKYO 001700 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 - SECRETARY RICE'S REMARKS ON NORTH KOREA ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Friday morning included a GOJ advisory panel decision on Thursday to launch around July 5 the "dubbing 10 system" that would increase the number of legal copies that can be made by viewers of digital TV programs to ten from the current one. ¶2. "We Are Unconvinced of U.S. Move to Delist North Korea" The conservative Sankei editorialized (6/20): "Secretary of State Rice stated on Wednesday that North Korea will soon give a declaration of its nuclear programs to China and that President Bush will then notify Congress of his intention to delist North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism. The Bush administration had previously said that North Korea's complete and correct declaration of its nuclear programs and disablement of its nuclear facilities are necessary to delist the nation. However, the Secretary's statement indicated that the USG will notify Congress for delisting if Pyongyang produces an accurate declaration. This is a reversal of the USG position and very regrettable.... Regarding the kidnapping issue, Secretary Rice only said: 'We have supported Japan-DPRK talks on the tragic cases of abduction of Japanese nationals. The U.S. will not remain silent when it comes to human rights issues.' What has happened to President Bush's message to the mother of abductee Megumi Yokota two years ago that the U.S. will never overlook the abductions? Delisting could hurt the foundations of the U.S.-Japan alliance. We urge the USG to rethink its move." SCHIEFFER