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