Cablegate: Media Reaction North Korea - Tokyo

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UNCLAS TOKYO 003415

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 NORTH KOREA - TOKYO

LEAD STORIES: Most Tuesday morning papers front-paged a
GOJ plan to announce a withdrawal of GSDF troops from the
southern Iraqi city of Samawah. Prime Minister Koizumi
will make an official announcement of the plan at a press
conference today.

1. "Taepodong: A Chance to Think About the Defense of
Japan" The conservative Sankei editorialized (6/20):
"North Korea is preparing to launch a Taepodong-2 long-
range missile. This would be a grave violation of the
Pyongyang Declaration, which includes an extended
moratorium on North Korean missile launches. At a press
conference, Prime Minister Koizumi said that Japan would
have to take strong measures in event of a launch.

2. "Should North Korea launch the missile, Japan will
have to impose sanctions on Pyongyang in cooperation with
the US and the international community. Meanwhile, the
GOJ should consider whether Japan is fully prepared to
defend itself against ballistic missiles. Even assuming
that this is an example of North Korea's brinkmanship,
Japan should take this opportunity to review the nation's
inadequate defenses."

3. "North Korea Must Immediately Cease Provocative
Action" An editorial in the liberal Mainichi commented
(6/20): "Is this provocative action yet another example
of the brinkmanship at which North Korea excels...? There
is evidence suggesting that the North Koreans have
already put liquid fuel into a Taepodong-2 missile. With
an eye toward imposing sanctions, the US, Japan, and
other members of the international community are
continuing to strongly call on Pyongyang to exercise
restraint. The situation is becoming more tense by the
day....

4. "We wonder whether this provocative act is intended
chiefly to rattle the US.... A missile launch would run
counter to the Pyongyang Declaration, an agreement
between the US and the DPRK, and the joint statement
adopted at the six-party talks. It would also further
isolate the North from the international community....
Foreign Minister Aso and US Ambassador Schieffer agreed
that in the event of a launch, Japan and the US will take
strong measures, including calling for the UN Security
Council to convene to discuss sanctions on Pyongyang."

SCHIEFFER

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