PREVIEW OF CHIRAC'S MARCH 25-28 JAPAN TRIP

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 001935

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV TRGY FR JA IZ
SUBJECT: PREVIEW OF CHIRAC'S MARCH 25-28 JAPAN TRIP

REF: A. PARIS 1588

B. SEOUL 1456

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt for reaso
ns 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: President Chirac leaves March 25 for a
three-day visit to Japan, at which the main topics of
bilateral discussion will be ITER and the EU's China arms
embargo, according to French officials. Also to be discussed
are North Korea, Iraq, the EU-3's negotiations with Iran,
Japan's campaign to win a seat on the UNSC, and economic
cooperation. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Poloff met with MFA Japan desk officer Stephane
Louhaur March 22 for a preview of President Chirac's March
25-28 trip to Japan. The main topics of the bilateral
exchange will be ITER, the EU's efforts to lift the China's
arms embargo, North Korea, and Iraq; economic cooperation
will also be discussed. Accompanying him will be Minister of
Economy and Finance Thierry Breton and Minister Delegate for
Research Francois d'Aubert, as well as some 20 businessmen.
Separately, Chirac's East Asia advisor told us that ITER and
the China arms embargo were the two principal subjects for
discussion with the Japanese, as far as the French presidency
was concerned.


3. (C) The MFA noted that the two sides will issue a joint
declaration, and that Chirac will emphasize France's support
for a Japanese seat on the UN Security Council, noting the
window of opportunity approaching with this September's
Millenium UNGA. The declaration will also contain a
statement on Franco-Japanese high tech cooperation,
especially as it relates to sustainable development. (Chirac
will attend the Aichi Expo, which has for its theme
sustainable development.)


4. (C) On the stalled negotiations regarding the siting of
the proposed multibillion dollar International Thermonuclear
Experimental Reactor project (ITER),the MFA noted that
Chirac wanted to raise the discussion to the highest
political level. When queried as to whether Chirac planned
to respond to the most recent Japanese offer, the MFA
demurred and noted that Chirac himself was not bringing any
particular offer. It's hard to know, Louhaur said, whether
anything concrete will result. (Comment: The MFA Japan desk
officer's comments are consistent with what France's chief
ITER negotiator, Bernard Bigot from the Atomic Energy
Commission, recently told EST Counselor. He said that the
technical and financial issues regarding ITER between the EU
and Japan had been fully explored between the two sides. All
that remained was a political decision. End Comment)


5. (C) On the EU China arms embargo, Louhaur said that the
visit would provide a good opportunity to explain to the
Japanese what the EU intends to do -- that is, according to
the French, not just to lift the embargo, but to develop
other steps (code of conduct, toolbox) which serve as
effective controls on EU exports to China. Louhaur implied
that these devices would alleviate any concerns about lifting
the embargo. "We are conscious of the security situation in
the region," he said, "and we want to show that we are paying
attention to China's neighbors, who are the first concerned."
He said Chirac would also tell the Japanese that the French
are prepared to hold consultations on the issue with the
Japanese to allay their concerns.


6. (C) On North Korea's nuclear program, Louhaur noted the
importance of the question for regional security as well, and
said that the French would be looking to push European policy
on this issue. He also asserted that the French had long
supported the Japanese on the kidnappings issue, and that
Chirac would bring the message that France would continue to
do so, publicly. Louhaur noted that the two sides would also
discuss Iran, saying that the Japanese are very interested in
the EU-3's efforts to negotiate with the Iranians. Louhaur
noted that the Iranians are an unpredictable regime but
observed that the DPRK is even more so.


7. (C) Iraq will also be a subject of discussion. Louhaur
referred to the joint declaration on Iraq dating from
then-foreign minister Villepin's spring 2004 visit to Japan,
in which the two sides had declared themselves ready to
cooperate on reconstruction -- beyond physical
reconstruction, he emphasized. He noted that not much had
come of the pledge, but said that now, little by little,
projects are beginning to take form, especially proposals to
conduct training outside of Iraq. "We bring our
savoir-faire," he said, "especially in archaeology or water
management." The French side, therefore, apparently hopes to
achieve more to this end in conjunction with the Japanese
during the visit. Louhaur noted that Chirac will not be
extending his trip in Japan to take some personal time, as
had initially been the plan; instead, he will be back in
Paris by Tuesday morning March 29.
Leach