VZCZCXRO8017
PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #0513 0580417
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 270417Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2052
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUYNAAC/COMNAVFORJAPAN YOKOSUKA JA PRIORITY
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RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CC/PA// PRIORITY
RUHBANB/OKINAWA FLD OFC US FORCES JAPAN CP BUTLER JA PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/USFJ PRIORITY
INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 6315
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 8710
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 4877
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 6920
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 9982
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1886
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UNCLAS TOKYO 000513
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 - CUBA AND NORTH KOREA
1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Wednesday morning
included the New York Philharmonic's performance in
Pyongyang on Tuesday evening.
2. "Reform Should Be Realized through Real Transfer of
Power" The liberal Asahi editorialized (2/27):
"...Fidel Castro appears to intend to remain as first
secretary of the ruling Communist Party. There seems to
SIPDIS
be no plan to promote people of the younger generation
to key posts. No major change to the current regime can
be expected.... The people of Cuba have voiced concern
about the delay in reform. The transfer of power to a
post-Revolution generation has been put off yet
again.... Its relations with the U.S. hold the key to
Cuba's future.... The Bush administration stressed
following Castro's resignation that Cuba should begin a
transition to democracy. There is no future for Cuba if
the nation continues to infringe on the freedom of
thought and human rights under a single-party
dictatorship. The U.S., which will have a new
administration next year, should show a path toward
diplomatic normalization with Cuba. It would be
pointless for the two nations to continue their
anachronistic cold war."
3. "Much to Be Done After Castro" The business-oriented
Nikkei editorialized (2/27): "The resignation of Fidel
Castro, who had led Cuba since the 1959 Revolution,
signals the end of an era.... Cuba appears to be
drifting in the opposite direction of reform.... It
will not be easy for Cuba to change its direction,
which was set by a government that has kept power for
nearly half a century.... Cuba has rich economic
resources, including agriculture, tourism, and mining.
How will the nation use those resources to improve its
economy? Economic reform, along with improved relations
with the U.S., holds the key to the future of the
country."
4. "Concert Should Not Be Used for North Korea's
Political Propaganda" The moderate Yomiuri's editorial
argued (2/27) "...The New York Philharmonic's concert
in Pyongyang was highly politicized. The concert is in
line with the U.S.-DPRK agreement made at the six-party
talks last October to increase exchanges and build
confidence between the two nations. However, the
important agreement on denuclearization has not been
implemented as promised. If North Korea does not take
action toward denuclearization, some may criticize the
U.S. and say that it sent a mission to North Korea to
please Kim Jong Il and that the event was used for
Pyongyang's political propaganda.... Nations concerned,
including the U.S. and Japan, need to continue to apply
pressure on North Korea to have it implement the six-
party agreement."
SCHIEFFER