Cablegate: Media Reaction Q North Korea - Tokyo

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UNCLAS TOKYO 005892

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: All six Wednesday morning papers gave top
play to the ongoing discussions at the UN Security
Council (UNSC) on a US draft resolution calling for
stricter sanctions on North Korea based on Chapter 7 of
the UN Charter.

1. "We Condemn North Korea's Nuclear Test" The liberal
Asahi editorialized (10/11): "The dictatorship
neighboring Japan has announced that it conducted a
nuclear test. Although details of the test are as yet
unknown, it is clear that tensions are rising in East
Asia and around the world. North Korea says it needs
deterrent force to protect its security. But is this the
only reason? This is a country that has committed such
crimes as the abductions and terrorism, and it has
repeatedly flouted international rules. We suspect that
the purpose of having nuclear weapons is to use them to
make unreasonable demands. To this end, Pyongyang has
isolated itself from the international community,
challenged the UN, and threatened the peace and stability
of the world. This recklessness cannot be permitted."

2. "Dangerous New Nuclear Age" An editorial in the top-
circulation, moderate Yomuri commented (10/11): "Prime
Minister Abe said: 'We have entered a dangerous new
nuclear age.' North Korea announced that it conducted an
underground nuclear test, posing a serious challenge to
world peace by a rogue state. For Japan, this represents
a major change to the nation's security environment....
The UNSC needs to quickly adopt a resolution calling for
effective sanctions. Up to now, permanent UNSC members
China and Russia have been extremely cautious about
sanctions on North Korea. Although both nations
criticized the North Korean nuclear test in unusually
harsh language, they are still likely to take a cautious
stance on sanctions. If the UNSC is unable to impose
effective sanctions, Pyongyang will only be emboldened."

3. "Impose Harsh Sanctions to Force North Korea to
Abandon Its Nuclear Ambitions" The business-oriented
Nihon Keizai editorialized (10/11): "North Korea
announced Monday that it conducted a nuclear test. Coming
in defiance of a UNSC president's statement calling on
North Korea to exercise restraint and warning of
sanctions, this was an outrageous act. While Japan, the
US, China, South Korea, and Russia issued statements
criticizing the North Korean nuclear test, the UNSC began
discussing a US draft resolution on sanctions. What is
important now is to get North Korea back to the six-party
talks and have it pledge to give up its nuclear program.
At present, there are no effective means other than harsh
economic sanctions."

SCHIEFFER

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