Cablegate: Media Reaction - Planned Deployment of Missile

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UNCLAS TOKYO 002629

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 - PLANNED DEPLOYMENT OF MISSILE
DEFENSE SYSTEM IN EASTERN EUROPE - TOKYO

1. LEAD STORIES: Tuesday morning's liberal Mainichi front-
paged the alleged sale by the pro-Pyongyang General
Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) of
its headquarters in Tokyo to a fund led by the former
head of the Public Security Investigation Agency, which
has monitored the group.

2. "Russia Should Discuss Missile Defense Calmly" The top-
circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (6/12): "Some
have voiced concern that the world may be standing on the
threshold of a new Cold War. While it will not do to
exaggerate that possibility, there is growing tension
between the US and Russia, both of which are major
missile powers. Given this, Japan has reason to be
concerned about the standoff over missile defense (MD).
The major point of contention between Washington and
Moscow involves US plans to deploy an MD system in Europe
by 2012 that includes a radar installation in the Czech
Republic and 10 missile interceptors in Poland. Though
the US contends that the system is intended to defend the
US and Europe from Iran's long-range missiles under
development, Russia is vehemently opposed out of the
belief that it would upset the balance of power in
Europe.... In a bid to break the stalemate, Russian
President Putin proposed during his recent meeting with
President Bush that the Russia and the US jointly use a
radar site in Azerbaijan. Although Bush called Putin's
proposal 'interesting,' the US will not readily accept
it.... Nonetheless, Putin's proposal showed for the first
time that Russia is open to a compromise. Although the US
and Russia are still far apart, they should meet
regularly to discuss the issue in a cool-headed manner."

SCHIEFFER

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