Cablegate: Media Reaction - Japan-Dprk Talks in Hanoi -

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UNCLAS TOKYO 001021

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 - JAPAN-DPRK Talks in HANOI -
TOKYO

LEAD STORIES: Most Friday morning papers front-paged
Thursday's completion of the two-day Japan-DPRK
normalization talks in Hanoi, noting that there was no
progress on the abduction front.

1. "Don't Let North Korea Have Its Way" The top-
circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (3/9): "If
the just-ended two-day Japan-DPRK normalization talks in
Hanoi are any indication, future negotiations will see
many ups and downs.... Japan cannot normalize relations
with North Korea without resolving the abductions, which
trampled on the nation's sovereignty, and it must also
urge Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear and missile
programs, which threaten the nation's security.... North
Korea's stance throughout the two days of meetings was
extremely insincere. The DPRK appears to be trying to
drive a wedge between Japan and the other countries
involved in the six-party talks.... As the international
net around North Korea appears to have loosened, North
Korea may be trying to contrast its stalled talks with
Japan and its 'constructive' talks with the US to give
the impression that it is Japan that stands in the way of
progress in the six-party talks."

SCHIEFFER

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