Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - North Korea and Afghanistan

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UNCLAS TOKYO 002072

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: TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - NORTH KOREA AND AFGHANISTAN

1. LEAD STORIES: Most Wednesday morning papers led with continued
discussions among the DPJ, the SDP, and the PNP on the formation of
a coalition government.

2. "U.S. to Consider Pros and Cons of Dialogue with DPRK" On the
conclusion of U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy
Bosworth's East Asia tour, the liberal Asahi wrote (9/9): "Following
his trip, Bosworth plans to study the pros and cons of [conducting]
dialogue [with North Korea]. However, the hurdles to dialogue are
high. Gaps remain large between North Korea, which is calling for
bilateral dialogue with the U.S. by claiming that it will never
return to the Six-Party Talks, and the U.S., which insists that such
dialogue would be conducted only within the framework of the
Six-Party Talks. It will not be easy [for Washington] to obtain
'full support' [for U.S.-DPRK dialogue] from Japan and South Korea,
which have been wary about the U.S. and North Korea possibly moving
forward on the nuclear front without their involvement."

2. "Rift Emerges between U.S. and Karzai" On the Afghan presidential
election, the conservative Sankei reported from New Delhi (9/9):
"There is a possibility that a large number of voting irregularities
took place. Even if incumbent President Karzai declares a victory,
his opponent former Foreign Minister Abdullah and others are bound
to react strongly. The U.S. has called for a thorough investigation
[into the election process] in order to head off confusion and
ensure the legitimacy of the election results. However, Karzai
expressed displeasure [with the U.S. request], leaving the
impression of an emerging gulf [between the two]."

ROOS

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