INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - North Korea and Global

Published: Wed 15 Oct 2008 12:50 AM
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PP RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #2867/01 2890050
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 150050Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7932
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RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 8432
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 002867
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 - NORTH KOREA AND GLOBAL
FINANCIAL CRISIS
1. LEAD STORIES: There were no papers on Tuesday
morning because of a press holiday. Top stories on TV
networks included the sharp rebound in share prices in
U.S., European, and Asian markets on Monday following
the announcement of the coordinated action plan by G7
policymakers to cope with the financial turbulence.
2. "Do Not Thwart Moves Toward Denuclearization" The
liberal Asahi editorialized (10/13): "Admittedly, in
delisting North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism,
the U.S. should have obtained a commitment to a more
stringent and broader verification regime.
Nevertheless, with this accord, the U.S. will be able
to get a full accounting of the plutonium that has been
extracted by North Korea. Given that the drive toward
denuclearization could have completely ground to a halt
if nothing were done, the U.S. decision was
meaningful."
3. "Is Denuclearization Possible with This Accord?" The
liberal Mainichi stated in an editorial (10/13): "From
the viewpoint of the Japanese public, which feels
greatly threatened by North Korea, there are too many
'loopholes' in the U.S.-DPRK accord, which was cited as
the reason for delisting North Korea.... If North Korea
is not cooperative on verification, the U.S. should
immediately put it back on the list. The U.S. must
endeavor to close the loopholes."
4. "Many Questions Left in Nuclear Verification" The
moderate Yomiuri argued in an editorial (10/12): "Given
the repeated concessions made by the U.S. in
negotiating with the DPRK, as well as North Korea's
actions in the past, one must have doubts as to whether
substantive nuclear verification is possible."
5. "Delisting Cannot Be Accepted" The business-oriented
Nikkei editorialized (10/13): "North Korea surely knows
that nuclear blackmail still works. It is hardly
conceivable that North Korea would surrender its
nuclear weapons under such circumstances. It is certain
that the DPRK, even if the six-party talks are
restarted, will resort to nuclear brinkmanship if
things develop in a way that is unfavorable to it."
6. "Kim's Rumored Illness and Delisting" The liberal
Tokyo Shimbun stated in an editorial (10/13): "For Kim
Jong Il, delisting is a 'historic triumph,' as he was
successful in forcing the U.S. to forgo its hostile
approach to his country. At the same time, the
shrewdness demonstrated by North Korea in its
negotiations with the U.S. seem to disprove rumors that
Kim is seriously ill."
7. "U.S. Ability to Implement Action Plan to Be Tested"
The liberal Asahi editorialized (10/12): "The purpose
of the G7 financial ministerial was to force the U.S.
to use public money in order to recapitalize financial
institutions.... The focus is now on whether the USG
can inject public funds swiftly.... It is imperative
for the USG to explain the measures and seek
understanding from the American people. There has been
harsh criticism in the U.S. of financial institutions
that earned exorbitant profits. The USG must be fully
TOKYO 00002867 002 OF 002
aware that persuading the public holds the key to
getting out of crisis."
8. "Nightmare Must Not Be Repeated" The liberal
Mainichi asserted in an editorial (10/12): "The G7 must
demonstrate with specific actions that it is 'dead
serious' (about containing the financial crisis).
Treasury Secretary Paulson expressed the view that
public money will be injected into a variety of
financial institutions. We would like to see tangible
results quickly.... Any discord that would trample on
the G7 agreement is unacceptable."
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