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P 040443Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7203
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
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RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
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INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 2958
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UNCLAS TOKYO 004085
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: TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - US-DPRK NUCLEAR ACCORD
LEAD STORIES: Tuesday morning papers front-paged
Monday's statement released by a DPRK Foreign Ministry
spokesperson that the US has agreed to delist North
Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism.
1. "Details Must be Thoroughly Worked Out" The liberal
Asahi editorialized (9/4): "...It is good that the US
and North Korea confirmed that Pyongyang will declare
all of its nuclear facilities and disable them within
this year. The issue here is how to hammer out the
details.... Implementing nuclear disablement based on a
North Korean declaration might be a realistic option.
However, doing so while keeping the details of the
declaration and disablement ambiguous will not lead to
a comprehensive settlement of the nuclear issue. The US
should keep in mind the doubts about its approach, as
some observers are concerned that impatience to realize
some sort of 'accomplishment' might lead Washington to
make additional concessions and that the DPRK will
likely seek to extract concessions by making a vague
declaration of all of its facilities. The six-party
talks will resume later this month, and the most
pressing issue will be coming up with specific
procedures for Pyongyang's declaration and disablement
and the provision of 950,000 tons of heavy fuel oil and
humanitarian assistance in return...."
2. "Questions Remain About Agreement" The
top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri wrote (9/4):
"...Citing the need to consult with relevant parties,
Assistant Secretary of State Hill refused to reveal the
details about the US-DPRK agreement on the declaration
and disablement of North Korea's nuclear facilities
within this year... It is important to implement
measures to ensure that Pyongyang will never again be
able to use its nuclear facilities and to shed light on
the extent of its nuclear program. There must be no
room for doubt allowed about the scope and extent of
the DPRK declaration and disablement. This is the only
way to put a brake on Pyongyang's nuclear weapons
program. It is only after this has been ensured that we
can move on to the 'next steps,' which include North
Korea's abandonment of its nuclear weapons and
plutonium."
DONOVAN