Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO2915
2006-05-25 08:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:  

JAPAN REP AKASHI PREVIEWS CO-CHAIRS MEETING

Tags:  PGOV PREL PTER CE JA 
pdf how-to read a cable
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C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 002915 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA BOUCHER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/25/2011
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER CE JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN REP AKASHI PREVIEWS CO-CHAIRS MEETING


Classified By: DCM Joe Donovan. Reasons: 1.4 (b)(d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 002915

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA BOUCHER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/25/2011
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER CE JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN REP AKASHI PREVIEWS CO-CHAIRS MEETING


Classified By: DCM Joe Donovan. Reasons: 1.4 (b)(d).


1. (C) Summary. Japan Representative for Sri Lanka
Peace-Building Akashi told the DCM on May 24 that the May 30
Co-Chair Meeting in Tokyo comes at a crucial point in the
peace process and expressed hope that it will be a
comprehensive meeting leading to a consensus on the way
forward. Both the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE have
issues to address, and while the government should be held to
policies that will not further alienate the Tamil population,
the LTTE should be urged to choose diplomacy over military
actions, he said. Commenting on FM Samaraweera's recent
visit to Tokyo, Akashi said the Sri Lanka government now
appears to have high expectations for the upcoming Co-Chairs
Meeting. Akashi believes the Co-Chairs should discuss the
role of other, non-Co-Chair countries, particularly India,
Canada and the UK. He expressed appreciation for the U.S.
role and the value of U.S.-Japan collaboration within the
Co-Chairs setting. End Summary.


2. (C) The DCM called on Yasushi Akashi, Representative of
the Government of Japan on Peace-Building, Rehabilitation and
Reconstruction in Sri Lanka, on May 24 to learn Japan's
positions prior to the May 30 Co-Chairs Meeting that Akashi
will host in Tokyo. Akashi praised the U.S.' "important"
involvement, and said the peace process is now at a "critical
point." Akashi said the April 28 Oslo Co-Chairs Meeting had
produced a very short joint statement, but he hoped the Tokyo
meeting would conduct a "serious, comprehensive
stock-taking." He wants participants to evaluate what has
been achieved -- and not achieved -- and then chart a future
course. Both the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE have
responsibilities to assume, he stated, and meeting
participants will consider both "hard" and "soft" options
that could affect the situation. The group may also consider
financial control measures and arms import restrictions to
Tamil controlled areas.


3. (C) Since the Oslo meeting, Japan has been encouraging
India, with its relatively strong influence in Sri Lanka, to
play a greater role in the Sri Lanka peace process, Akashi
said. It is up to India to decide what role it can play, he
suggested, adding he understood that India did not want to
identify itself as a full Co-Chair member. Akashi hopes
India will become more involved not only at the Tokyo
meeting, but beyond, and said that based on his talks with FM
Saran and NSA Narayanan, he believes New Delhi is seriously
considering a larger role. Akashi also hopes the Co-Chairs
will consider broadening the contact group to include other
countries with possible influence, citing the UK and Canada,
which have relatively large Tamil populations, as candidates
to play a greater part. Akashi said he believes the
Co-Chairs group needs to remain loose and flexible in order
to remain effective.


4. (C) Akashi feels civil organizations can play an
influential role in Sri Lanka, and said he makes a point of
visiting with one or two NGOs each time he visits. Noting
Japan and Sri Lanka's shared Buddhist heritage, he said Japan
is encouraging Japanese Buddhist organizations to engage with
moderate counterparts in Sri Lanka, in an effort to isolate
extremist Buddhist groups.


5. (C) Asked to provide a readout of FM Samaraweera's May
17-21 visit to Tokyo, Akashi replied that the Sri Lanka
government appears to have high expectations for the upcoming
Co-Chairs Meeting. The government is frustrated with its
inability to persuade the LTTE to return to the negotiating
table, and also frustrated by the LTTE's armed attacks. The
Government of Sri Lanka would like to see other countries
with large Tamil populations designate the LTTE as a
terrorist organization, as the U.S. has done. Then the
international community could take measures to stop financial
contributions, which enable the LTTE to purchase arms.
Although FM Samaraweera conveyed the government's willingness
to abolish certain discriminatory policies, Akashi said the
Co-Chairs should encourage it to go further so that Tamils
inside and outside the country see the government's gesture
of lifting restrictions as the way for moving forward.


6. (C) Summing up his analysis on the situation in Sri Lanka
following the Co-Chairs meeting, Akashi said he hoped the
LTTE would be persuaded that diplomacy is its best option and
end its armed struggle. However, Akashi said he was familiar
with the LTTE's past behavior and preferences, and admitted
his thinking might be wishful. "This is our strong hope," he
said, "whether the LTTE will give up arms remains to be seen."
SCHIEFFER