TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - IRANIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

UNCLAS TOKYO 001350 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 - IRANIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Tuesday morning included an Asahi report from Beijing claiming that it has learned from several sources connected to North Korea that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's third son Kim Jong Un made a secret visit to Beijing on or around June 10 as a special envoy for his father. ¶2. "Sign of Change in Landslide Victory of Incumbent President?'" The liberal Asahi editorialized (6/16): "... Ahmadinejad is known for his strong anti-Israel and anti-U.S. rhetoric. The UN has imposed sanctions on Iran, and the nation is isolated internationally. Despite that, his efforts to fight poverty and the de facto endorsement by Supreme Leader Khamenei appear to have helped him to achieve a victory... It is natural for the U.S. and Europe to express disappointment. However, we want to take note of reform-minded supporters' energetic activities to alter the conservative trend. They may have been responding to President Obama's call for dialogue and his message seeking a breakthrough in the severing of relations that has lasted since the Iranian Revolution. The U.S. and other members of the international community should support such moves by the Iranian public and continue their support for a policy change. Ahmadinejad should not preach his narrow-minded anti-U.S nationalism, but instead be cognizant of Iran's responsibility as a regional power." ¶3. "Iranian President Should Start Dialogue with U.S." The liberal Tokyo Shimbun wrote in an editorial (6/16): "Incumbent conservative President Ahmadinejad was reelected by a wide margin. There is concern that Iran will intensify its hard-line policy and promote its nuclear development programs. In order to ease tensions, Ahmadinejad should start engaging in dialogue with the U.S." ZUMWALT