JAPAN TO VOTE FOR QATAR-SPONSORED RESOLUTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 003924 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/12/2026 TAGS: PREL KPAL KWBG IS JA SUBJECT: JAPAN TO VOTE FOR QATAR-SPONSORED RESOLUTION REF: STATE 114594 Classified By: Political Section Deputy Carol T. Reynolds. \ Reason: 1.4 (b)(d). ¶1. (C) Embassy Tokyo Political Officer conveyed reftel talking points to MOFA UN Policy Division Director Shigeki Takizaki on July 13. In a subsequent conversation, Takizaki explained that the Qatar-proposed resolution was already in "blue" and that it would be "difficult" to ask the Qataris to delay seeking a vote on their resolution. He observed that Prime Minister Koizumi was in the Middle East, that he had met with both Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and that he had urged both parties to exert maximum restraint. 2.(C) The Qatari resolution had "some inappropriate wording," Takizaki acknowledged, but "basically" it asks both sides to use restraint and condemns both sides. In a sense, it is balanced, he argued. Japan had consulted with the Qataris during the drafting process and had offered comments. Most of its concerns had been accommodated in the current draft. Consequently, the Japanese government has decided to vote in favor of the resolution when it is brought to a vote, which Takizaki expected to happen on Thursday, July 13. Takizaki said that the Japanese Embassy in Washington would be conveying the same message to the Department. Political Officer again appealed to Takizaki to consider the argument set forth in the demarche. He promised to examine it again, but added that "we have already made our decision." SCHIEFFER