Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO1888
2006-04-07 08:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
JAPAN SEEKING MORE EVIDENCE WHILE CONSIDERING
how-toVZCZCXYZ0003 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHKO #1888 0970829 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 070829Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0668 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1588 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 7768
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001888
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/IR, DRL, AND IRF
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2008
TAGS: PGOV PHUM SOCI IR JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN SEEKING MORE EVIDENCE WHILE CONSIDERING
BAHA'I TREATMENT IN IRAN
REF: STATE 54484
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Joe Donovan. Reasons 1.4 b/d
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001888
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/IR, DRL, AND IRF
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2008
TAGS: PGOV PHUM SOCI IR JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN SEEKING MORE EVIDENCE WHILE CONSIDERING
BAHA'I TREATMENT IN IRAN
REF: STATE 54484
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Joe Donovan. Reasons 1.4 b/d
1. (U) This message contains an action request. Please see
paragraph 3.
2. (C) Embassy Tokyo Political Officer delivered reftel
points regarding Tehran's treatment of religious minorities
to MOFA Second Middle East Division on April 5 . On April 7,
Second Middle East's Koichi Nakao replied that Japan has long
been concerned with human rights in Iran, and often discusses
human rights with Iranian officials. However, Nakao
continued, before Japan could approach Iran or issue a
statement as requested by the United States, particularly one
addressing the Baha'i situation, Japan would need more
concrete evidence of discrimination than had been provided in
reftel. While Tokyo believes discrimination against the
Baha'i probably exists, it has received no concrete evidence
from its embassy in Tehran and, in Tokyo's experience,
appeals to Iranian officials without concrete evidence to
back them up are usually ineffective. Nakao suggested that
"rumors" and "we anticipate the possibility" -- as stated in
reftel -- would not be enough on its own for Japan to make a
special intervention at this time. He added that MOFA will
task Japan's Embassy in Tehran to further investigate Baha'i
community's claims.
3. (C) ACTION REQUEST. Embassy Tokyo requests Department
provide more specific evidence of discrimination against the
Baha'i and/or other religious minorities in Iran.
SCHIEFFER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/IR, DRL, AND IRF
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2008
TAGS: PGOV PHUM SOCI IR JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN SEEKING MORE EVIDENCE WHILE CONSIDERING
BAHA'I TREATMENT IN IRAN
REF: STATE 54484
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Joe Donovan. Reasons 1.4 b/d
1. (U) This message contains an action request. Please see
paragraph 3.
2. (C) Embassy Tokyo Political Officer delivered reftel
points regarding Tehran's treatment of religious minorities
to MOFA Second Middle East Division on April 5 . On April 7,
Second Middle East's Koichi Nakao replied that Japan has long
been concerned with human rights in Iran, and often discusses
human rights with Iranian officials. However, Nakao
continued, before Japan could approach Iran or issue a
statement as requested by the United States, particularly one
addressing the Baha'i situation, Japan would need more
concrete evidence of discrimination than had been provided in
reftel. While Tokyo believes discrimination against the
Baha'i probably exists, it has received no concrete evidence
from its embassy in Tehran and, in Tokyo's experience,
appeals to Iranian officials without concrete evidence to
back them up are usually ineffective. Nakao suggested that
"rumors" and "we anticipate the possibility" -- as stated in
reftel -- would not be enough on its own for Japan to make a
special intervention at this time. He added that MOFA will
task Japan's Embassy in Tehran to further investigate Baha'i
community's claims.
3. (C) ACTION REQUEST. Embassy Tokyo requests Department
provide more specific evidence of discrimination against the
Baha'i and/or other religious minorities in Iran.
SCHIEFFER