Cablegate: Media Reaction Q Iran - Tokyo

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P 240243Z AUG 06
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UNCLAS TOKYO 004845

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 IRAN - TOKYO

LEAD STORIES: Thursday morning's Sankei gave top play to
a report that Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe is considering
the establishment of a Japanese version of the CIA if and
when he becomes prime minister.

1. "Iran's Answer: Halting Uranium Enrichment the First
Step to Regaining Trust" The top-circulation, moderate
Yomiuri editorialized (8/24): "Iran does not appear at
all prepared to listen to the voices of those in the
international community concerned about nuclear
proliferation. It appears that Iran has effectively
rejected the incentives package offered by the P-5 plus
Germany. Although the contents of the reply have not been
announced, Tehran has avoided mentioning the uranium
enrichment program that the package calls for it to halt,
instead proposing a new approach to negotiations.... We
are forced to believe that Iran's proposal for new
negotiations is nothing but an attempt to derail
discussions about sanctions in the UNSC."

2. "Iranian Nuclear Issue: Buying Time Cannot Be Allowed"
An editorial in the liberal Asahi commented (8/24):
"Considering Iran's response, the international community
cannot help but suspect Iran is simply buying time. In
reply to a comprehensive incentives package offered by
the P-5 plus Germany, Tehran rejected the idea of halting
uranium enrichment and proposed continuing negotiations.
In the end, this must be viewed as a strategy for keeping
its uranium enrichment program.... Israel, which attacked
Hezbollah in Lebanon, believes that Iran is supporting
the Islamic militant organization. If Iran goes ahead
with its uranium enrichment, the tension between Israel
and Iran will rise further.... At present, the most
important thing to do is to continue negotiating with
Tehran until the end-of-August deadline set by the UNSC."

DONOVAN

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