TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - IRAN

UNCLAS TOKYO 001410 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 - IRAN ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Front-page items on Tuesday morning included a Nikkei report saying that the U.S. and Japan plan to conclude a new agreement to streamline their customs clearance procedures. ¶2. "Concern about Oppression of Reformers" The liberal Asahi editorialized (6/23): "Transformation into an open and democratic Muslim regime holds the key to the future stabilization of Iran. The administration should refrain from taking hard-line measures by using force. Free press should be guaranteed as well. Rule by force or destabilization in Iran will have an adverse effect on the entire Middle East. The U.S., Europe, and Japan, which distance themselves from the current Iranian administration, should call for cooperation from Russia and China and work together to prevent Iran from heading in an extreme direction." ¶3. "Suppression Only Aggravates Situation in Iran" The conservative Sankei stated in an editorial (6/23): "Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei, who supports the newly reelected President Ahmadinejad, denied any irregularities in the election and made a speech hinting at the use of force by saying that the leaders of the rallies will be held responsible for any possible serious consequences. However, intimidation is counterproductive. We want to stress that further suppression will only worsen the situation." ¶4. "Suppression by Force Should Be Restrained" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun wrote in an editorial (6/23): "We hope that the Iranian government will avoid using force in controlling demonstrators in order to prevent the current bloodshed from spreading further.... President Obama called on Tehran to stop using force against demonstrators. EU leaders also called for the suspension of violence. The international community, including China and Russia, should not just sit still and watch." ZUMWALT