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P 070506Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
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UNCLAS TOKYO 005133
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 - DPRK NUCLEAR PROGRAM
SHUTDOWN, DEFENSE SECRETARY GATES' VISIT TO CHINA, AND
UNREST IN PAKISTAN
LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Thursday morning include
opposition DPJ President Ozawa's informal decision to
withdraw his offer to step down.
1. "Nuclear Disablement Alone Is Not Enough" The
business-oriented Nikkei editorialized (11/7):
"Disablement of the nuclear facilities at Yongbyon has
finally started.... However, it will be necessary to
dismantle them in order to realize the ultimate goal of
denuclearizing North Korea. Disablement is just a
stepping stone on the path toward denuclearization....
Another pillar in the 'second phase' of
denuclearization is to have North Korea declare all of
its nuclear programs by year's end. Pyongyang needs to
disclose the amount of plutonium it has extracted,
which is believed to be about 30-50 kg, and the number
of nuclear bombs it has, and well as to provide details
about its alleged uranium enrichment program. North
Korea needs to present a sincere attitude on this
front."
2. "Confidence-Building Measures with Taiwan Also
Necessary" The conservative Sankei wrote (11/7):
"Defense Secretary Gates agreed with his Chinese
counterpart Cao on the establishment of a hotline
between the two militaries. This will be the first
hotline to be set up between China and another country.
The emergency communication channel is expected to
build confidence between the two military powers and to
avoid the accidental outbreak of a conflict. China is
also considering creating similar channels with Japan
and South Korea. It would be desirable for Beijing to
also open a military hotline with Taiwan, as there
remains the possibility of a cross-straits war....
China's new attitude is praiseworthy, but it is not
enough. Secretary Gates called on Chinese Defense
Minister Cao to increase transparency in the nation's
defense budget and provide reasons for his country's
rapid military buildup. If the Hu administration truly
hopes to realize 'peaceful development' and the
'creation of a harmonized world,' it should sincerely
respond to Gates' call."
3. "Strong-arm Tactics Cannot Break Impasse" The top
circulation, moderate Yomiuri stated (11/7): "By
declaring a state of emergency, Pakistani President
Musharraf has embarked on a risky course that may lead
to self-destruction.... Pakistan is on the frontline in
the war on terrorism and is a nuclear power. If it were
to slide into chaos, that would have serious
repercussions on the international situation. It has
become necessary for the international community to do
something in order to assure stability in Pakistan....
The legitimacy of Musharraf, who took power eight years
ago in a coup, has been further eroded following the
government's recent strong-arm measures. If he wants to
restore his government's legitimacy and to win back the
hearts and minds of the Pakistani people, there is only
one option available for him. He must proceed with
transferring power to civilian authorities."
SCHIEFFER