Cablegate: Media Reaction Q North Korea - Tokyo

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P 270231Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7835
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RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
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INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 8609
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RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2376
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS TOKYO 006256

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: Friday morning's Asahi gave top play to a
story saying that a bill to upgrade the JDA to ministry
status is likely to be passed during the current Diet
session following the opposition DPJ's decision to
support it.

1. "DPRK Must End Counterfeiting" An editorial in the
moderate Tokyo Shimbun commented (10/27): "The DPRK has
conducted a nuclear test and refuses to return to the six-
party talks, citing US financial sanctions. This is an
excuse. To bring an end to those sanctions, North Korea
must first stop printing and circulating counterfeit US
dollars.... In addition to forging US notes, Pyongyang is
also believed to be obtaining hard currency by
counterfeiting foreign cigarettes and smuggling hashish
and methamphetamines. The UNSC has imposed harsh economic
sanctions on North Korea in response to its nuclear test.
These sanctions are also due in part to Pyongyang's
illicit activities. State-sponsored crime cannot be
permitted to continue indefinitely."

SCHIEFFER

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