Cablegate: Media Reaction Q North Korea - Tokyo

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UNCLAS TOKYO 005372

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 NORTH KOREA - TOKYO

LEAD STORIES: Most Wednesday morning papers gave top
coverage to a bloodless coup staged by the Thai military,
as well as an anticipated landslide victory by Chief
Cabinet Secretary Abe in todayQs LDP presidential
election.

1. "Imposition of Financial Sanctions on DPRK: No Option
But to Tighten Pressure on North Korea" The top-
circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (9/20): "The
DPRK has been steadfastly refusing to return to the six-
party talks on its nuclear development and has not shown
any intention to agree to a moratorium on its missile
launches. In light of this, there was no option but to
increase pressure on the country. The GOJ imposed
financial sanctions on North Korea on Tuesday.

2. "The sanctions effectively ban 15 North Korea-related
organizations and trading firms, as well as one
individual, from remitting funds overseas. The sanctions
also prevent them from withdrawing funds from financial
institutions in Japan. The measures were decided in line
with a UNSC resolution unanimously adopted on July 15,
condemning North Korea's July 5 firing of missiles."

3. "Resumption of Talks Necessary to Resolve North Korean
Nuclear Issue" An editorial in the liberal Asahi
commented (9/20): "The UNSC unanimously adopted a
resolution condemning North Korea's July 5 firing of
ballistic missiles. The resolution also urges all member
nations to suspend the flow of missile materials and
technology, as well as funds to the North. Japan imposed
financial sanctions on Pyongyang in line with the UNSC
resolution. The Australian government has also announced
the imposition of similar sanctions on the North.

4. "The imposition of sanctions appears to be unavoidable
as long as Pyongyang defies the UNSC resolution. North
Korea should accept the resolution and commit to a
peaceful solution of its nuclear development issue, as
called for at the six-party talks, as soon as possible.
Not to be forgotten at the same time is the fact that as
long as pressure is being applied to drive the North into
a corner, there will be no solution to the problem."

5. "Tighten International Iron Ring around DPRK!" The
business daily Nihon Keizai editorialized (9/20): "The
GOJ imposed financial sanctions on North Korea on
Tuesday, conforming with the UNSC resolution which
condemned the North Korean firing of ballistic missiles
in early July. It is only natural that Japan should
tighten pressure on the North as long as Pyongyang does
not show any sincerity in resolving its nuclear and
abduction issues.

6. "It is now time for the US and Japan to join hands and
tighten an international iron ring around Pyongyang and
force it to alter policy.... The GOJ financial sanctions,
imposed yesterday, were still rudimentary, targeting only
a limited number of organizations and an individual
affiliated with North Korea. The imposition of financial
sanctions will be gradually strengthened, depending on
how the North reacts to these punitive measures."

SCHIEFFER

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