TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - IRAN

UNCLAS TOKYO 000285

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: Front-page items on Friday morning
included yesterday's Japan-South Korea foreign
ministerial meeting in Seoul.


2. "Unity of Security Council Being Tested" The liberal
Asahi editorialized (2/12): "There are no options for
Iran, which has been suspected of developing nuclear
weapons, other than to win trust from the international
community in order to proceed with the peaceful use of
nuclear energy. However, Iran has repeatedly taken
actions that run counter to that course. President
Obama has moved to adopt a new UN Security Council
resolution. This is the right diplomatic decision in
order to prevent nuclear proliferation.... Trust in the
NPT system will be maintained if the Security Council
responds appropriately to actions that disregard the
treaty.... Disarray among Security Council members
would result in weakened diplomatic pressure on Iran.
An affirmation of unity at the Security Council would
be the most effective weapon to ensure a diplomatic
settlement of the matter."


3. "Iran Runs Risk of Deepening Diplomatic Isolation"
The liberal Tokyo Shimbun argued in an editorial
(2/12): "The UN has already adopted sanctions on Iran
on three separate occasions. Tehran's latest move to
speed up its uranium enrichment is a risky diplomatic
gamble that will further deepen its isolation.... It is
necessary to discern the course of Iran's brinkmanship.
This issue will likely be prolonged. Diplomatic efforts
should be continued to convince Iran to come to the
negotiating table with possible additional pressure and
sanctions in mind."


4. "Serious Rift between Conservatives and Reformists"
On Thursday's massive clash in Tehran between
demonstrators and security troops, a correspondent for
the top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri wrote (2/12):
"Iran's Revolution Day was marred by bloodshed this
year. Reformists went ahead with a massive rally on
what the government called its 'most important' day. As
security authorities cracked down on the protestors
severely, there is no question that the legitimacy of
the revolutionary system led by conservatives has been
further undermined. Chances are high that the confusion
in Iran will be prolonged."

ROOS