Cablegate: Media Reaction Q Iran's Nuclear Program - Tokyo

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FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
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UNCLAS TOKYO 005009

SIPDIS

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: MEDIA REACTION Q IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM - TOKYO

LEAD STORIES: All Friday morning Tokyo papers front-paged
an IAEA report that Iran appears to be continuing uranium
enrichment in defiance of a UNSC resolution.

1. "China, Russia Still Pursuing Dialogue" The liberal
Mainichi's New York correspondent wrote (9/1): "The IAEA
Thursday submitted a report to the UNSC that Iran is
continuing uranium enrichment. The focus of discussion at
the UNSC will now shift to whether or not to adopt
economic sanctions in order to apply further pressure on
Tehran. However, there are voices in China, Russia, and
Europe calling for continuing dialogue, so it will likely
be some time until deliberations on sanctions begin in
earnest....

2. "However, even if there is movement on sanctions, the
initial steps are likely to be limited to a ban on
foreign travel by senior Iranian officials, a freeze on
Iranian financial assets abroad, and a prohibition on
providing nuclear and missile technology to Tehran. The
prevailing view is that it will be difficult to implement
sanctions effective enough to make Iran give up its
nuclear program."

DONOVAN

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