Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO2154
2006-04-20 06:45:00
SECRET
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
THE AMBASSADOR AND VFM YACHI DISCUSS LIANCOURT
how-toVZCZCXYZ0009 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHKO #2154 1100645 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 200645Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1198 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING IMMEDIATE 1870 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW IMMEDIATE 0987 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL IMMEDIATE 8037 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI IMMEDIATE 5991
S E C R E T TOKYO 002154
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SECDEF PASS TO DUSD LAWLESS,
NSC PASS TO D. WILDER AND V. CHA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2026
TAGS: PREL MARR KS JA
SUBJECT: THE AMBASSADOR AND VFM YACHI DISCUSS LIANCOURT
ROCK DISPUTE
REF: TOKYO 002098
Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer. Reason: 1.4 (b)(d).
S E C R E T TOKYO 002154
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SECDEF PASS TO DUSD LAWLESS,
NSC PASS TO D. WILDER AND V. CHA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2026
TAGS: PREL MARR KS JA
SUBJECT: THE AMBASSADOR AND VFM YACHI DISCUSS LIANCOURT
ROCK DISPUTE
REF: TOKYO 002098
Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer. Reason: 1.4 (b)(d).
1. (S) At 11:00 a.m. on April 20, the Ambassador spoke
with VFM Yachi, at Yachi's request, regarding simmering
tensions between Japan and the ROK over a planned Japanese
maritime survey near the disputed Liancourt Rocks (reftel).
He explained, briefly, that the ROK intended to propose to an
international commission in June that features on the bottom
of the sea in the disputed area be given Korean names. Japan
wants to survey the area in order to make a counter-proposal
at the meeting. Korea, Yachi stated, may use force to block
the survey ship. Yachi further noted that he might travel to
Seoul the following day, April 21, to try to resolve the
matter peacefully.
2. (S) The Ambassador stated the United States understands
that Japan is within its rights under international law. The
Koreans are behaving irrationally, and the United States is
concerned that they may do something crazy, causing a major
problem. Everyone needs to back off, he stressed, to enable
the matter to be resolved peacefully. We do not want our two
allies shooting at each other, he asserted. The Ambassador
advised that he might get in touch with FM Aso later in the
day.
3. (C) Yachi thanked the Ambassador for his concern and
said he would do his best. He requested that the Ambassador
send an Embassy representative to the Foreign Ministry to
hear Japan's position on the issue.
SCHIEFFER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SECDEF PASS TO DUSD LAWLESS,
NSC PASS TO D. WILDER AND V. CHA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2026
TAGS: PREL MARR KS JA
SUBJECT: THE AMBASSADOR AND VFM YACHI DISCUSS LIANCOURT
ROCK DISPUTE
REF: TOKYO 002098
Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer. Reason: 1.4 (b)(d).
1. (S) At 11:00 a.m. on April 20, the Ambassador spoke
with VFM Yachi, at Yachi's request, regarding simmering
tensions between Japan and the ROK over a planned Japanese
maritime survey near the disputed Liancourt Rocks (reftel).
He explained, briefly, that the ROK intended to propose to an
international commission in June that features on the bottom
of the sea in the disputed area be given Korean names. Japan
wants to survey the area in order to make a counter-proposal
at the meeting. Korea, Yachi stated, may use force to block
the survey ship. Yachi further noted that he might travel to
Seoul the following day, April 21, to try to resolve the
matter peacefully.
2. (S) The Ambassador stated the United States understands
that Japan is within its rights under international law. The
Koreans are behaving irrationally, and the United States is
concerned that they may do something crazy, causing a major
problem. Everyone needs to back off, he stressed, to enable
the matter to be resolved peacefully. We do not want our two
allies shooting at each other, he asserted. The Ambassador
advised that he might get in touch with FM Aso later in the
day.
3. (C) Yachi thanked the Ambassador for his concern and
said he would do his best. He requested that the Ambassador
send an Embassy representative to the Foreign Ministry to
hear Japan's position on the issue.
SCHIEFFER