TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - IRAQ

UNCLAS TOKYO 000255 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 - IRAQ ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Tuesday morning's Sankei led with the revelation by several GOJ sources that spy satellites operated by the U.S. and others have taken photos pointing to apparent preparations by North Korea for the launch of a long-range ballistic missile. ¶2. "One Step forward for Iraq" On the recent Iraqi provincial elections, the business-oriented Nikkei editorialized (2/3): "The fact that the provincial polls were completed without major confusion can be regarded as an important step in Iraq's political process.... Voters, in casting their ballots, were given a larger number of choices, as they were allowed to vote for not just candidates from political parties or groups but also independent contenders. It seems that the security situation in Iraq has been improving." ¶3. "Leap toward Reconciliation and Self-Help" The liberal Tokyo Shimbun insisted in an editorial (2/3): ".... The Iraqi government, ahead of the elections, repeatedly aired TV commercials calling for national reconciliation. This helped generate the momentum for people's participation in the political process beyond religious sectarian lines.... As the Iraqi situation is closely connected to developments in the Middle East, as well as in Afghanistan, careful attention should continuously be paid to Iraq's moves toward stability and self-help." ZUMWALT