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UNCLAS TOKYO 007125 
 
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: MEDIA REACTION - SIX-PARTY TALKS/IRAN - TOKYO 
 
 
LEAD STORIES: Tuesday morning's Yomiuri front-paged a 
finding that North Korea has started selling gold bullion 
on the international market to acquire hard currency since 
the US imposed financial sanctions on the North last year. 
The daily said Pyongyang has exported bullion worth 28 
million USD to Thailand. 
 
¶1. "Sanctions on DPRK Should Be Strengthened" The top- 
circulation, moderate Yomiuri editorialized (12/23): "The 
six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear ambitions went 
into recess without any substantial progress or even a 
date for the next round.... There is no meaningful way in 
which the six-party talks can continue if the 
participating countries cannot stop Pyongyang's push for 
nuclear development. The other five countries - Japan, the 
US, China, South Korea and Russia - must work out a common 
strategy, including strengthened sanctions, to deal with 
this issue.... North Korea avoided bilateral talks with 
Japan. It did not show a sincere attitude toward 
addressing the abduction issue, to which Japan attaches 
great importance. As things stand, the international 
community has little choice but to strengthen sanctions on 
Pyongyang." 
 
¶2. "UNSC Resolution Should Be Used as an Opportunity to 
Induce Change in Iran" An editorial in the business- 
oriented Nihon Keizai stated (12/26): "For the first time, 
the UN Security Council (UNSC) has adopted a resolution 
imposing sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programs. In 
an earlier resolution adopted in July, the UNSC urged 
Tehran to halt uranium enrichment by the end of August. 
Defying this, Iran has been continuing to enrich uranium. 
Tehran should accept this unanimous UNSC resolution in a 
serious manner.... If Russia and China continue to 
prioritize their economic interests, it will send the 
wrong message to Tehran. A unified international 
diplomatic approach is indispensable to inducing Iran to 
change course." 
 
¶3. "Don't Miss Signs of Change in Iran" The liberal Asahi 
editorialized (12/26): "The UNSC adopted a sanctions 
resolution against Iran for the first time. But 
considering the signs of change there as manifested in 
recent local elections, the international community needs 
to maintain a flexible stance towards Tehran. Noteworthy 
was the fact that conservative hardliners suffered 
crushing defeats. Pro-Rafsanjani and pro-Khatami clerics 
also gained in influence.... We want to support the 
budding change in sentiment in Iran. To this end, the US 
should step away from its hostile policy. Without 
dialogue, it will be impossible to effect a change in 
Iran's nuclear policy." 
 
DONOVAN