TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - IRAN

UNCLAS TOKYO 001442 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: Friday morning's Yomiuri led with final arrangements between the Iraqi government and three Japanese oil companies concerning the purchase of an oil concession to develop a field in southern Iraq. ¶2. "Iranian Leadership Should Exercise Self-Restraint" The moderate Yomiuri editorialized (6/26): "The Iranian leadership headed by Ayatollah Khamenei is called upon to exercise maximum self-restraint in order to avoid further bloodshed. Labeling people having different beliefs as 'terrorists' and cracking down on them with force is excessive. The Iranian government should be reminded that its image abroad is being significantly undermined.... The Iranian government countered criticism from foreign governments by claiming that protests by reformists are being instigated by foreign forces such as the U.S. and Britain and calling it 'interference in domestic affairs.' This is a customary technique to deflect people's attention to outside. However, it is terribly misguided." ¶3. "Rift Emerging within Conservatives" The liberal Asahi wrote from Tehran (6/26): "Discord over the military crackdown on demonstrators is emerging within the conservative camp, which forms the mainstream of the Iranian political system. Parliamentary Speaker Larijani, who represents the anti-Ahmadinejad bloc within conservatives, was the first one to openly challenge [the president's handling of demonstrations.] A series of events has taken place pointing to an intensified power struggle in parliament." ZUMWALT