SEEKING UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF JAPAN-KOREA EEZ

UNCLAS STATE 091785

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIS PBTS PHSA PREL JA KS
SUBJECT: SEEKING UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF JAPAN-KOREA EEZ
TALKS

REF: A. SEOUL 1433 AND PREVIOUS

B. TOKYO 2221 AND PREVIOUS


1. (U) This is an action message ) see para 3 for action.
Background in para 2 is provided for Post's information only.

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Background
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2. (SBU) In April, tensions between South Korea and Japan
flared up when Japan announced plans to carry out a
hydrographic survey in disputed waters near the Liancourt
Rocks. The situation was defused when the ROK and Japan
reached agreement to work out problems, including restarting
negotiations on resolving Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
disputes (now scheduled for June 12-13). The Department
remains interested in the progress of these talks. Using
points provided below, action addressees are requested to
relay points to appropriate ROKG and GOJ counterparts.

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Talking Points
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3. (U) Tokyo and Seoul are requested to relay the following
points to appropriate government counterparts. Seoul is also
requested to deliver the additional point in para 4. At your
discretion, you may advise counterparts that similar messages
are being delivered in both capitals.

BEGIN TALKING POINTS

-- We welcomed your government's recent agreement with
Japan/Korea over the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) dispute
near Liancourt Rocks. We understand that the compromise
included the following points:

(a) Tokyo would put off plans to engage in a hydrographic
survey of disputed waters near Liancourt Rocks for the
purpose of mapping and naming undersea topography, and

(b) Seoul would delay "until an appropriate time" plans to
put forward to the Subcommittee on Undersea Feature Names
(SCUFN) of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)
a proposal to rename underwater features in the disputed
area, and

(c) Both countries agreed to restart dormant negotiations on
resolving EEZ disputes, currently scheduled for June 12-13.

-- We note the resumption of your mutual negotiations in
mid-June. We would be interested in hearing about your
expectations for these talks. What do you see as the main
outstanding issues for each side? What do you anticipate
will be the most difficult items to resolve for each side?


4. (U) Additional point for Seoul:

--We note that you agreed to delay "until an appropriate
time" submitting proposals to rename underwater features in
the disputed area to the SCUFN. We would be interested in
learning whether, at the upcoming June 12-13 negotiations,
your government intends to discuss with Japan when such an
"appropriate time" might occur.

END TALKING POINTS


5. (SBU) Please report any substantive response to EAP/K and
EAP/J.
RICE