Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO3924
2006-07-13 12:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
JAPAN TO VOTE FOR QATAR-SPONSORED RESOLUTION
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHKO #3924 1941220 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 131220Z JUL 06 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4315 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 1177 INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL PRIORITY
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).
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
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