Cablegate: Media Reaction Q North Korea - Tokyo

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P 160411Z OCT 06
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UNCLAS TOKYO 006007

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 Monday morning papers front-paged the
unanimous adoption Saturday by the UN Security Council
(UNSC) of a resolution imposing sanctions on the DPRK.

1. "UNSC Sanctions on North Korea: Effective, Specific
Measures Needed" An editorial in the top-circulation,
moderate Yomiuri commented (10/16): "The international
community has decided to impose a wide range of sanctions
on North Korea, which claims to have conducted a nuclear
test. Although the UNSC sanctions reflect compromises
between the Japan-US group and the China-Russia camp, an
international net is for the time being encircling North
Korea, which is continuing to pursue nuclear arms. Each
country should immediately take effective and specific
measures against North Korea.... Japan faces a direct
threat from the DPRK's development of missiles and
nuclear weapons. Tokyo has already imposed unilateral
sanctions on Pyongyang, including a complete ban on the
entry of North Korean ships into Japanese ports. With the
adoption of the UNSC resolution, inspections of ships
entering and leaving North Korea will become an issue
that the GOJ will have to face."

2. "No Prospects for Nation That Defies UNSC Resolutions"
The business-oriented Nihon Keizai editorialized (10/16):
"In the history of the UN, no nation besides North Korea
has over a period of three months ignored three unanimous
UNSC warnings, resolutions, or statements of
condemnation. The UNSC adopted a resolution on economic
sanctions, including a ban on the export to North Korea
of WMD-related materials and technology, as well as
inspections of ships entering and leaving the DPRK. It is
significant that the UNSC unanimously adopted a
resolution only five days after North Korea announced
that it conducted a nuclear test.... The resolution
contains language hinting at additional measures in the
event that North Korea conducts a second nuclear test.
The international community needs to be prepared for a
long period of tension."

3. "UNSC Resolution: Unity Should Be Used for Diplomacy"
An editorial in the liberal Asahi commented (10/16): "The
UNSC adopted a resolution on North Korea. All the 15
members of the UNSC, including Japan, the US, China, and
Russia, unanimously adopted the resolution just six days
after Pyongyang's claimed nuclear test. The resolution
condemns North Korea's action as a clear threat to
international peace and a flagrant disregard for global
nuclear nonproliferation efforts. What North Korea has
done is unpardonable, and we welcome this strong
manifestation of international determination. Kim Jong Il
should take this seriously and move immediately to
abandon his country's nuclear program. Such is the
obligation of a UN member state."

SCHIEFFER

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