TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - NORTH KOREA AND IRAN

UNCLAS TOKYO 001459 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 IRAN ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Monday morning included Sunday's Japan-ROK summit in Tokyo and a revelation by a former vice foreign minister about a U.S.-Japan secret accord on the introduction of nuclear weapons by U.S. warships and aircraft. ¶2. "Coordination Must Be Maintained to Deal with North Korean Threat" On yesterday's summit between Prime Minister Aso and South Korean President Lee, the conservative Sankei editorialized (6/29): "Lee briefed Aso on the recent U.S.-ROK document in which the U.S. specified its commitment to deterrence through the extension of the 'nuclear umbrella.' Behind this move lies mounting distrust in South Korea of U.S. nuclear deterrence generated by North Korea's missile launches. Doubts also exist within some quarters in Japan on whether the U.S. is actually committed to the defense of Japan. It will become necessary for Japan to discuss the issue of nuclear deterrence with the U.S. once again in order to prevent such doubts from resulting in a schism in bilateral ties." ¶3. "Steadfast Pressure Needs to Be Applied on North Korea" The moderate Yomiuri argued in an editorial (6/29): "It is important to study a new framework for consultations in preparation for North Korea's possible return to dialogue. Holding five-party talks involving the U.S., Japan, Russia, China, and South Korea, as advocated by President Lee, would be an opportunity to deepen discussions on such a new framework. The Six-Party Talks are an effective framework and need to be maintained from the standpoint of allowing Japan to have a say." ¶4. "Enhanced Unity Necessary to Deal with North Korea" An editorial in the liberal Asahi asserted (6/29): "What is important right now is to dissuade North Korea from taking additional provocative military measures, as well as to facilitate an environment that will induce North Korea to return to the negotiating table. There will be no choice [for the international community] but to continue to conduct 'carrot-and-stick' diplomacy in a coolheaded manner, rather than just ratcheting up pressure. Toward that end, the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, who appear to have common interests, should further deepen their mutual coordination." ¶5. "Police State in the Offing in Iran" A Tehran correspondent for the liberal Mainichi wrote (6/29): "The Iranian theocratic leadership is likely to enhance operations to ensure domestic security following the worst political confusion caused by demonstrations by reformists since the 1979 Iranian Revolution. With the growing presence of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, tasked with dealing with domestic and foreign threats, it is likely that Iran will become a police and military controlled state." ¶6. "Iranian Reformists Being Cornered" A Tehran-based reporter for the top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri stated (6/28): "Reformists in Iran appear to have lost their last hope in view of former President Rafsanjani's support of the conservative camp's position upholding the Guardian Council's finding on alleged election fraud. Protests by reformists are likely to come to an end.... The reformists are being forced into a corner because they failed to establish a 'unified command' since they are a motley collection of people supporting politicians such as former Prime Minister Mousavi and former President Khatami." ZUMWALT