VZCZCXRO0552
PP RUEHFK
DE RUEHKO #4176 2500520
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 070520Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7358
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA PRIORITY
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
RHHMHBA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI//N541// PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA// PRIORITY
RUHBANB/OKINAWA FLD OFC US FORCES JAPAN CP BUTLER JA PRIORITY
RUALSFJ/COMUSJAPAN YOKOTA AB JA PRIORITY
INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 3043
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 6679
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 8845
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1877
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 4903
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 5816
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS TOKYO 004176
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 - JAPAN-DPRK
NORMALIZATION TALKS
LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Friday morning include the
conclusion on Thursday of the two-day Japan-DPRK
working-group meeting on normalization.
1. "Opportunity to Break the Ice" The liberal Asahi
editorialized (9/7): "Although no specific progress was
made during the Japan-DPRK normalization talks held in
Mongolia, the meeting set the stage for continued
dialogue.... The fundamental gap between the two
nations remains, but an atmosphere for dialogue was
created. The talks between the US and DPRK and the
start of implementation of the six-party agreement
changed the atmosphere of the Japan-DPRK talks. It is
clear that the US has been successful in its talks with
North Korea. If progress is made on Japan-DPRK
normalization, Pyongyang will be able to improve its
ties with Washington.... It is too early to be
optimistic that the thick layer of ice between Tokyo
and Pyongyang will soon melt. This window of
opportunity, however, should be used wisely...."
2. "Japan Should Stay Alert to North Korean Moves" The
top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (9/7):
"...North Korea agreed to continue talking with Japan
due to US prodding. Washington has expressed hope for
progress on Japan-DPRK relations, including the
abduction issue, and the question of delisting North
Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism lies behind the
US move. The US has said that it will consider
delisting in tandem with North Korea's complete
declaration of its nuclear programs and disablement of
its nuclear facilities. Both the US and the DPRK seem
to believe that improvement in Japan-DPRK relations
will be necessary for delisting. Japan, however, cannot
accept Pyongyang being delisted until the abduction
issue is resolved...."
DONOVAN