Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO3618
2006-06-29 07:27:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:  

JAPAN TO PARTICIPATE IN SRI LANKA CONTACT GROUPS,

Tags:  PREL PTER MARR PINS CE JA 
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VZCZCXYZ0022
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKO #3618 1800727
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 290727Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3812
INFO RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO PRIORITY 0605
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO PRIORITY 1089
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
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).

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