TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - IRAN AND CHINA

UNCLAS TOKYO 002298 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 AND CHINA ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Friday morning included the planned start later this month of H1N1 influenza vaccinations. ¶2. "Iran Should Stop Provoking World" The liberal Asahi editorialized (10/2): "Of course Iran has the right to use nuclear energy peacefully. However, this should be premised upon Iran's faithful fulfillment of obligations under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, as well as the restoration of the international community's trust in it. [Tehran's pursuit of nuclear programs] cannot be accepted, given that it has trampled on a series of UN Security Council resolutions.... A proposal by the U.S. and Europe to provide technical know-how on industrial nuclear programs in exchange for the suspension of Iran's uranium enrichment serves Iran's interests. Why doesn't Iran accept the proposal and then proceed openly with the peaceful use [of nuclear energy]?" ¶3. "China's Perilous March toward 'Rich Country, Strong Army'" On the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China on Thursday, the liberal Asahi argued in an editorial (10/2): "The gap between China's powerful display of its prowess for a foreign audience and the uneasy sentiment at home is huge.... What China should demonstrate at home and abroad is that it is a nation governed by law and a harmonized society in which ordinary people are respected. China's efforts toward that end would allow it to discuss [with Japan] the dream of creating an East Asian Community." ¶4. "China's Arms Expansion Accelerating" On the massive military parade held in Beijing yesterday, the top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri wrote (10/2): "The event illustrated the accelerated buildup of nuclear arsenals and air power by China. While the display of a massive number of state-of-the-art weapons systems may help enhance the Hu administration's grip on power, it also reminded the international community of the threat of China's military expansion." ¶5. "Military Parade Leaves Impression of China as 'Abnormal Country'" A correspondent for the conservative Sankei stated from Beijing (10/2): "The military parade that was held in China for the first time in 10 years left the international community with the impression that China is an 'abnormal country.'... While China apparently hoped to draw international attention to its 'transparency' by displaying its high-tech weapons systems, it cannot be denied that the event strongly reminded its neighbors of the threat it poses. China's image abroad is bound to decline as a result." ROOS