JAPAN AND KOREA REACH AGREEMENT ON JOINT RADIATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 005210 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2016 TAGS: PREL PBTS PHSA KS JA SUBJECT: JAPAN AND KOREA REACH AGREEMENT ON JOINT RADIATION SURVEYS NEAR THE LIANCOURT ROCKS Classified By: AMBASSADOR J. THOMAS SCHIEFFER FOR REASONS 1.4(B),(D) ¶1. (C) MOFA Asian Affairs Bureau DG Kenichiro Sasae told the DCM September 11 that following lengthy talks the week of September 4, Japan and the ROK reached a tentative ad referendum agreement to conduct a joint survey to search for possible radiation dumped by the Russians in the disputed areas surrounding the Liancourt Rocks. An announcement to that effect is expected the evening of September 11. ¶2. (C) The initial ROK proposal had been vague, Sasae related, and had not articulated specific steps to be taken, so the Japanese had countered with their own proposal. An ad referendum agreement was reached, although the ROK side said it would have to seek the approval of President Roh who was traveling out of the country. After waiting for a day and a half for a reply, the Japanese informed the ROK that if an agreement was not reached Tokyo was prepared to take the matter to an international dispute resolution body with jurisdiction over such matters. The ROK negotiators then responded with another proposal which was acceptable to the Japanese side. ¶3. (C) Prime Minister Koizumi and President Roh had discussed and agreed upon the ad referendum agreement on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting in Helsinki, Sasae said. In Seoul, the ROK will hold Blue House meetings the afternoon of September 11. A joint statement concerning the agreement is expected to be made later in the evening. SCHIEFFER