TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - CUBA AND NORTH KOREA

UNCLAS TOKYO 000513 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 - CUBA AND NORTH KOREA ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Wednesday morning included the New York Philharmonic's performance in Pyongyang on Tuesday evening. ¶2. "Reform Should Be Realized through Real Transfer of Power" The liberal Asahi editorialized (2/27): "...Fidel Castro appears to intend to remain as first secretary of the ruling Communist Party. There seems to SIPDIS be no plan to promote people of the younger generation to key posts. No major change to the current regime can be expected.... The people of CUBA have voiced concern about the delay in reform. The transfer of power to a post-Revolution generation has been put off yet again.... Its relations with the U.S. hold the key to Cuba's future.... The Bush administration stressed following Castro's resignation that CUBA should begin a transition to democracy. There is no future for CUBA if the nation continues to infringe on the freedom of thought and human rights under a single-party dictatorship. The U.S., which will have a new administration next year, should show a path toward diplomatic normalization with Cuba. It would be pointless for the two nations to continue their anachronistic cold war." ¶3. "Much to Be Done After Castro" The business-oriented Nikkei editorialized (2/27): "The resignation of Fidel Castro, who had led CUBA since the 1959 Revolution, signals the end of an era.... CUBA appears to be drifting in the opposite direction of reform.... It will not be easy for CUBA to change its direction, which was set by a government that has kept power for nearly half a century.... CUBA has rich economic resources, including agriculture, tourism, and mining. How will the nation use those resources to improve its economy? Economic reform, along with improved relations with the U.S., holds the key to the future of the country." ¶4. "Concert Should Not Be Used for North Korea's Political Propaganda" The moderate Yomiuri's editorial argued (2/27) "...The New York Philharmonic's concert in Pyongyang was highly politicized. The concert is in line with the U.S.-DPRK agreement made at the six-party talks last October to increase exchanges and build confidence between the two nations. However, the important agreement on denuclearization has not been implemented as promised. If North Korea does not take action toward denuclearization, some may criticize the U.S. and say that it sent a mission to North Korea to please Kim Jong Il and that the event was used for Pyongyang's political propaganda.... Nations concerned, including the U.S. and Japan, need to continue to apply pressure on North Korea to have it implement the six- party agreement." SCHIEFFER