TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - NORTH KOREA AND G20

UNCLAS TOKYO 003148 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 - NORTH KOREA AND G20 FINANCIAL SUMMIT ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Friday morning were today's opening of the G20 financial summit in Washington and the dismissal of an ASDF general for sexual harassment in September. ¶2. "Do Not Allow North Korea to Refuse Sampling" The conservative Sankei editorialized (11/14): "It was learned that North Korea has rejected the collection of samples from nuclear facilities and that verification will be limited to the Yongbyon complex. This once again reveals the sloppy negotiating of Assistant Secretary of State Hill, who has dealt with important verification procedures with a verbal commitment.... This raises doubts about North Korea's sincerity toward the six-party agreement on complete denuclearization. The U.S. administration bears heavy responsibility for the situation." ¶3. "DPRK Renews Hard Line" A Washington correspondent for the top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri wrote (11/14): "With North Korea rejecting the codification of the sampling of nuclear materials, the prospect for progress in the six-party talks has become uncertain. The USG is once again confronted with a hard line from North Korea. There is no question that the DPRK is waiting for the inauguration of the Obama administration in January. U.S. experts are of the opinion that Pyongyang is trying to obtain diplomatic leverage vis-a-vis the next U.S. administration." ¶4. "Obama Attempting to Avoid Sharing Responsibility with Bush Administration" The business-oriented Nikkei reported from Washington (11/14): "With President-elect Obama's transition team having commenced a policy review that includes previous presidential orders, he appears to be leaving such pressing issues as the financial crisis and jumpstarting the economy to the Bush administration and Congress. Obama has also put off the formation of a cabinet. These moves reflect his strategy of not sharing responsibility with the unpopular Bush administration and of leaving (Americans) with the impression of 'change' upon his inauguration." ¶5. "Summit Relying on Emerging Economies" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun asserted (11/14): "The G20 summit will be the first of its kind in that emerging economies will join seven developed countries to discuss how to cope with the global financial crisis. The reality is that advanced nations alone cannot deal with problems of the world economy, which are becoming increasingly far- reaching in their impact. It seems the advanced countries, whose economies appear to all be heading toward negative growth, are hoping to rely on the growth of emerging economies." SCHIEFFER