JAPAN TO PARTICIPATE IN SRI LANKA CONTACT GROUPS,

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 003618 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/28/2026 TAGS: PREL PTER MARR PINS CE JA SUBJECT: JAPAN TO PARTICIPATE IN SRI LANKA CONTACT GROUPS, CONSIDERING CONTRIBUTION REF: A. STATE 107231 ¶B. TOKYO 3224 ¶C. STATE 94541 Classified By: Political Section Deputy Carol Reynolds. Reason: 1.4 (b )(d). ¶1. (U) This is an action message. Please see para 3. ¶2. (C) Following ref a instructions, on June 29 Embassy Tokyo Political Officer contacted MOFA Southwest Asia Division Director Shinsuke Shimizu to elicit a more substantive Japanese response regarding the two new contact groups than that conveyed in ref b. Shimizu assured us that Japan will participate in both groups, and in now considering how it will contribute. MOFA is consulting with the Japanese Coast Guard to solicit its views. The Coast Guard is not that knowledgeable about South Asia, having focused its international efforts to date on Southeast Asia, he noted. Presently, it believes the "Heads of Coast Guards in the Asia-Pacific Region" meetings could be a useful framework to pursue trafficking in weapons and drugs, since both India and Sri Lanka are members. Both India and Sri Lanka have also ratified ReCAAP (Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia),he further observed. Once it comes into force in the coming months, it, too, can play a useful role in combating trafficking in arms and drugs, he stated. ¶3. (C) Director Shimizu separately asked whether the United States would raise the Sri Lankan issue at the upcoming ARF meeting. Sri Lanka is not now a participant, but is eager to become one, he stated. ACTION REQUEST: Please provide information on U.S. plans, if any, to raise Sri Lanka at ARF. DONOVAN