READOUT OF CHIRAC'S MARCH 26-28 OFFICIAL TRIP TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 PARIS 002220 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/03/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV TRGY FR JA CH TW SUBJECT: READOUT OF CHIRAC'S MARCH 26-28 OFFICIAL TRIP TO JAPAN REF: A. PARIS 1588 ¶B. PARIS 1935 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt for reaso ns 1.4. (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The MFA, the Japanese Embassy here, and the French High Commissioner for Science all provided readouts to Embassy on President Chirac's March 26-28 trip to Japan. According to our interlocutors and the press, Chirac and PM Koizumi continued to express opposing views on both the EU's lifting of its China arms embargo and on the siting decision for ITER, but conducted cordial meetings. In addition, Chirac expressed continued French support for Japan's campaign for a seat on the UNSC, and the two sides agreed to develop an alliance to respond to "the challenges of sustainable development," as well as seeking to multiply partnerships in such sectors as clean energy, transport, recycling, biotech, and nanotechnologies. In addition, Chirac, who said he was making his "44th or 45th" visit to Japan, was the first foreign head of state to visit Aichi 2005, the exposition that has for its theme sustainable development. The known sumo-lover also attended a sumo tournament in Osaka, where the hall stood to applaud him on entry and chanting "Chirac-y, Chirac-y" at the end of the event, according to press accounts. END SUMMARY ¶2. (C) Pol M/C discussed Chirac's trip with new MFA Director (A/S-equivalent) for Asia Herve Ladsous on April 1; Embassy of Japan DCM Yoichi Otabe provided DCM with readout on March ¶30. Otabe said the two main topics of discussion had been the EU's China arms embargo and UN reform, but focused his remarks on the embargo and ITER. Science Counselor spoke on April 1 to the French High Commissioner for Science, Bernard Bigot, who has been closely involved with the ITER issue from the French side. ¶3. (C) MFA Asia Director Ladsous described the hour and a half meeting and dinner between Chirac and Koizumi as "extremely relaxed" and said the ambiance was very good. He noted that on the main topics of difficulty, the arms embargo and ITER, the two expressed themselves courteously, and "agreed to disagree." He said that what struck him from the conversation was the convergence between French and Japanese thinking on China. It was clear, he said, from Koizumi's remarks, that the emergence of China is viewed by the Japanese more as an opportunity than a threat. EU'S CHINA ARMS EMBARGO -------------- ¶4. (C) According to Otabe, Koziumi clearly and firmly presented the Japanese position on the embargo, noting three points: 1) Japan opposes the embargo; 2) China has been increasing its military expenditures, while Japan has been lessening its own; 3) the China-Taiwan relationship is a factor. Koizumi cited the three points as Japan's reasons for opposing lifting the embargo, which, he said, could lead to an arms race in the region. Chirac, according to the Japanese embassy here, gave a "long, explanatory response," and Ladsous confirmed that Chirac had repeated his line that the lifting of the embargo will be a symbolic and political gesture. Otabe said that Chirac had told Koziumi Japan was looking at the embargo in the wrong framework: lifting of the embargo would not/not mean the sale of arms and technology to the Chinese as the U.S. Congress fears, said Chirac. There will be rules in place to deal with/restrict that possibility. Furthermore, Chirac added, China probably would not even seek to import EU weapons, since it had other sources. Chirac said that Europe does not intend to export any more arms and/or technology to China than do the U.S., Canada and Australia already, noting that the latter two do not maintain arms embargoes against China. ¶5. (C) The issue for the Chinese, Chirac continued, is saving face, according to the Japanese embassy here. It is this political element, he emphasized, that is driving the EU decision. Chirac warned that it is also dangerous for the U.S. to sell arms to Taiwan. He said that if the Taiwanese public and leadership believe the U.S. will support the Taiwanese position, even going so far as to support independence, and the U.S. continues to sell arms to Taiwan, this could embolden the Taiwanese in a way that could provoke a Chinese attack, which would create a real crisis in the region. ¶6. (C) According to Otabe, Chirac noted that France understands Japanese concerns, and said the EU will adopt measures to deal with highly sensitive technology in establishing its code of conduct and the toolkit, measures that would actually enhance the EU's ability to restrict exports of these goods to China. ¶7. (U) During his press conference with Koizumi, Chirac repeated the French line that the EU agreed in December to lift the arms embargo before the end of the Luxembourg presidency of the EU. ITER -------------- ¶8. (C) On ITER, according to the Japanese Embassy here, Koizumi noted that Japan continues to support the six-party process and desires a mutually satisfactory solution. Chirac responded that he believes the two sides can find such a solution. Chirac described the Japanese proposal on dividing responsibilities between the host and the non-host as "positive," implying that France supported the proposal and the EU has yet to come around on it. Chirac emphasized to Koizumi that time for a decision is running out; he noted the April 18 meeting of the EU Competitiveness Council, saying "we need to expedite our work on this." Chirac informed Koizumi that the EU is proposing sending a delegation led by EU Commissioner for Science and Research Janez Potocnik to meet with the six parties -- especially Japan -- before April ¶14. ¶9. (SBU) Science Counselor spoke on April 1 to the French High Commissioner for Science, Bernard Bigot, who has been closely involved with the ITER issue from the French side. Bigot expressed a positive view of the outcome of the Chirac-Koziumi discussion of the ITER issue, elaborating that he felt there is a new spirit that could allow for final resolution of the siting issue. As evidence of this "new spirit" he pointed out that the Japanese have brought in a new negotiator assigned to the task of resolving the ITER siting decision and this individual had formally been assigned to the Japanese Embassy in Paris, so he could better understand and appreciate European -- and particularly French -- views and positions. In addition, he said that prior to the Chirac-Koziumi meeting, the Japanese did not want to speak with Potocnik, who has replaced Mitsos, but now they have agreed to meet with him. Bigot said that Potocnik will be received in Tokyo on April 11, seven days before the crucial budget debate at the EU Competitiveness Council. ¶10. (SBU) Bigot said that even if the issue remains unresolved after April 18, he felt that there is still another (perhaps final) opportunity to come to an agreement on May 2. He emphasized the "renewed good will" in the discussions between the Europeans and the Japanese, including but not limited to the Chirac-Koziumi discussion of the ITER issue. He felt that the Japanese understand and appreciate that the European counter-offer was quite generous. Bigot said that there was little, if any, room to improve that offer. Chirac had conveyed to Koziumi that the French very much want a six-party supported ITER facility (in Cadarache, France, of course). Bigot said that the EU has inferred that the U.S. would not support or participate in a separate ITER facility led by the Japanese if the six-party talks break down. He added that it would be a pity if the U.S. could not -- in the end -- participate in ITER. PERSONAL INTEREST -------------- ¶11. (C) In an interview with Asahi Shimbun given before his arrival, Chirac noted that the fact that five years that has passed since his last visit to Japan, during G-8 meetings in 2000, was "insupportable." In a speech in Osaka, he noted, "I love your country, I love its inhabitants, its landscapes, its history and its culture. I appreciate its 'art de vivre', this demand for refinement, the taste for beauty and the balance that marks your civilization. Each trip here is for me a new happiness." Chirac had cut short his trip, which he had initially planned to extend through the week, apparently due to the mounting political controversy at home over the proposed EU constitution. Both opposition political figures and key figures from his own party have called for the President to engage to stem the rising tide of anti-Constitution feeling in France. Chirac may have calculated that it would be unseemly to be seen as both absent and indulging a personal affection for Japanese culture while public opinion polls on the May 29 referendum on the EU draft constitution continue to show a dimunition of the "oui" and an increase in the "non." LEACH