THE DCM'S AUGUST 18 COURTESY CALL WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 004755

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO EAP/J AND L.
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FOR CBP (AADAMS, RJACKSTA,
KBROWN, KDUBELIER, DFITZPATRICK, KSAVA).

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2016
TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV CE JA
SUBJECT: THE DCM'S AUGUST 18 COURTESY CALL WITH
COUNTERTERRORISM AMBASSADOR SUDA


Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Joe Donovan. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).


1. (C) Summary. During a call on August 18 with newly
appointed Counterterrorism Ambassador Suda, the DCM shared
that DoS and DHS have agreed to return to the March draft of
the Note Verbale as the basis for further negotiations on the
Immigration Advisory Program (IAP). Since a few points in
the draft require further attention, the DCM stated that a
State-DHS team was prepared to meet with Japanese
counterparts on August 28 or 29 in Tokyo to work out the
final details. Suda promised to check on the dates, noting
that an advance copy of the proposed changes would be very
helpful. Regarding the Counterterrorism Trilateral, the DCM
shared that Ambassador Crumpton would be available the week
of October 16. International Counterterrorism Cooperation
Division Director Michii promised to check on the
availability of the Japanese and Australian delegations and
said he would proceed with the previously agreed upon format
(one full day of meetings, including a few courtesy calls,
plus a working dinner) unless he heard otherwise. In
closing, the DCM urged Suda to consider holding another
bilateral Counterterrorism Working Group meeting as soon as
possible and Suda agreed that it would be useful to restart
the meetings. End Summary.

Immigration Advisory Program
--------------


2. (C) During an August 18 meeting with International
Counterterrorism Cooperation Ambassador Akio Suda, Deputy
Chief of Mission Joe Donovan discussed the Immigration
Advisory Program (IAP),the U.S.-Japan-Australia
Counterterrorism Trilateral and the bilateral
Counterterrorism Working Group. The DCM apologized for the
miscommunication that had prolonged negotiations on IAP, and
expressed appreciation for International Counterterrorism
Cooperation Division Director Michii's efforts to negotiate
the terms of the Note Verbale. The USG is now prepared to
return to the March draft of the Note Verbale, the DCM
stated, and use it as the basis for further negotiations.
Ambassador Suda welcomed the message and thanked the DCM for
his efforts to find a solution.


3. (C) A few points in the draft require further attention,
the DCM continued. To that end, we are prepared to send an
interagency team to Tokyo, led by APEC Ambassador Michael
Michalak, to work out the final details. The team can be
available on August 28 and 29. Suda promised to check on the
dates and reply to the Embassy as soon as possible. Michii
asked if MOFA could receive a copy of the proposed changes to
the Note Verbale prior to the meeting and Ambassador Suda
agreed that advance notice would very helpful. The DCM
commented that he had not yet received a draft of the
proposed changes but would convey this request to Washington.


CT Trilateral
--------------


4. (C) Moving on to the U.S.-Japan-Australia
Counterterrorism Trilateral, the DCM shared that Ambassador
Crumpton proposed October 16, 17 and 18 as a possible window
for meetings in Tokyo. Suda apologized that his predecessor
had to cancel the Trilateral scheduled for July, and said he
was happy to hear that Ambassador Crumpton would be available
in October. Michii promised to confirm Japan's availability,
check on Australia's availability and let the Embassy know
whether the October 16 timeframe would work. Unless he heard
otherwise from the United States or Australia, Michii said he
would proceed with the previously agreed upon format (one
full day of meetings, including a few courtesy calls in
Tokyo, plus a working dinner).

CTWG
--------------


5. (C) The bilateral Counterterrorism Working Group (CTWG)
is a good way to maintain and strengthen momentum on
counterterrorism efforts and we would like to hold the next
meeting as soon as possible, the DCM urged. Suda agreed that
it would be useful to restart the CTWG before too long. A
combined, comprehensive meeting on counterterrorism would be
valuable for both sides, he observed.

Bio Note
--------------




6. (C) Ambassador Suda explained that he was in charge of
Counterterrorism and North Korea's Nuclear Issues
(Dismantlement and Verification). The North Korea issue is
"not moving at all," but he expected that counterterrorism
would keep him busy. His predecessor had also been in charge
of Iraq Reconstruction Activities and Ambassador Suda
expressed relief that the topic had been reassigned to
someone else. Suda shared that he had just arrived from
Colombo two weeks ago. He had served as Japan's Ambassador
to Sri Lanka for 2 years and 9 months and thought it was a
"wonderful country." Although he is familiar with Sri
Lanka's domestic terrorist groups, he has limited experience
with and knowledge of international terrorism, he stated.


7. (U) Participants:
U.S.
Joe Donovan, Deputy Chief of Mission
Michael Cox, DHS Representative, Embassy Tokyo
Tandy Matsuda, Political Officer

Japan
Akio Suda, Ambassador in Charge of International
Counterterrorism Cooperation and North Korea Nuclear Issues
(Dismantlement and Verification)
Rokuichiro Michii, International Counterterrorism Cooperation
Division Director
Mikiko Masuda, International Counterterrorism Cooperation
Division Officer
DONOVAN