DAS JOHN,S MEETING WITH DDG KITERA ON BURMA AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 006912

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2016
TAGS: PREL UNSC PHUM BM TT JA
SUBJECT: DAS JOHN,S MEETING WITH DDG KITERA ON BURMA AND
EAST TIMOR


Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4 (b),and
(d).


1. (C) Summary: DAS Eric John on December 4 underscored the
importance of passing a non-punitive UN Security Council
resolution on Burma as a starting point for increased
diplomatic pressure on the regime. Deputy Director General
Kitera responded that Japan would prefer a Presidential
Statement, noting that the international community must be
patient with Burma and not push the military regime closer to
China. Japan views ASEAN support as key to a successful
Burma policy, explained MOFA officials. DAS John stressed
that a non-punitive resolution provided the most effective
diplomatic platform for the international community to use to
affect change in Rangoon. On East Timor, DAS John and DDG
Kitera agreed that Japan and the United States share concerns
about the deteriorating situation, and will intensify efforts
to promote reconciliation among the government's factions.
End Summary.


2. (C) Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asia and Pacific
Affairs Eric John met with Deputy Director General of Foreign
Policy and Ambassador in Charge of UN Affairs Masato Kitera
and other Japanese officials at the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs December 4 to discuss policies on Burma and East
Timor. DAS John observed that Foreign Minister Taro Aso's
November 30 speech on the "Arc of Freedom" was an example of
the "common platform" upon which the United States and Japan
base their foreign policy. The challenge both countries now
face is to operationalize this shared philosophical approach.
FM Aso's speech demonstrated Japan's efforts to broaden the
horizon of its diplomacy, replied Kitera, saying that Japan
seeks to create new approaches to contact "bad countries."

Japan dragging its feet on a resolution
--------------

3. (C) Turning to Burma, DAS John told DDG Kitera that the
international community must focus on delivering a unified
message to the military regime. The United States is working
with China, Japan, Korea and the countries of ASEAN to build
a cooperative approach to Burma. To create change in Burma,
stakeholder countries must develop a common message calling
for the release of political prisoners including Aung San Suu
Kyi, greater access for the United Nations and NGOs, and
genuine political dialogue with all the parties, including
the National League for Democracy.


4. (C) The most effective way to promote positive change in
Burma is for Japan and other nations with significant
interests in Burma to take a common message the Burmese
regime, DAS John stated. The best way to deliver this common
message is by passing the U.S.-proposed UN Security Council
resolution, DAS John stated. This non-punitive resolution
would serve as a starting point for increased diplomatic
pressure on the regime.


5. (C) The international community must be patient with
Burma, replied DDG Kitera, describing his long history of
working with the regime to explain why he is "so soft on
Burma." In a recent meeting in Tokyo with UN Undersecretary
General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari, DDG Kitera
told him that any progressive movement, however small, must
be put into context for the international community. After
20 years, the Burmese notion of time is different from that
of the rest of the world, he said. A softer approach is a
better approach, claimed DDG Kitera, suggesting that Japanese
aid to Burma in 1995 might have played a role in the release
of Aung San Suu Kyi that year.


6. (C) Japan attaches great importance to Gambari's access
to the regime, DDG Kitera continued, pointing out that during
Gambari's recent visit to Burma, the Special Envoy was able
to meet with both Aung San Suu Kyi and Senior General Than
Shwe. In order to preserve this "precious window" to Burma,
any action by the international community should, first and
foremost, be unanimous. Noting that Burma was "furious" with
Japan after it concurred with the decision to put Burma on
the UNSC's agenda, DDG Kitera told DAS John that Japan would
prefer a Presidential Statement from the Security Council
rather than a resolution. Whatever action the international
community decides to take, Japan wants it to happen in late
December so it doesn't sideline the East Asia Summit or other
earlier regional meetings.


7. (C) A Presidential Statement would be a retreat at this
point, DAS John rejoined. The resolution is key to "opening
a door" for the regime to understand how to reform. The
United States already has established broad international
support for the resolution, which highlights the value of
Burmese cooperation with the United Nations. The United

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States anticipates a vote on the resolution in the near
future. When the resolution passes, all countries must
"redouble diplomatic efforts," said DAS John, and use the
resolution as a platform to engage Burma and create change.

Japan concerned about China
--------------

8. (C) It is Japan's "profound sadness" that Burma is moving
closer to China, said DDG Kitera. Japan was Burma's closest
friend 20 years ago, but now China's broad financial and
political support combined with a lack of "rigorous
criticism" of the military regime has led the junta to place
relations with China above those with Japan. All this
underscores the need for China to participate in the
international consensus. China listens to the United States
more than to Japan, DDG Kitera asserted, so the United States
must play a lead role in convincing China to support the
international community's approach to Burma.


9. (C) Burma thinks it can depend on China even if it is
isolated from the rest of the world, elaborated MOFA First
Southeast Asia Division Director Hideaki Mizukoshi. "Burma
has an open door only for China," added Senior Foreign Policy
Coordinator Ichiro Maruyama, adding his skepticism that China
was interested in promoting human rights or democracy in
Burma. Mizukoshi requested that the United States inform
Japan of the China's response to U.S. requests for China's
support in the UNSC.


10. (C) Japan sees ASEAN as key to engaging the junta,
Mizukoshi continued. Burma is playing China, India, and the
countries of ASEAN off against each other. ASEAN support is
essential to the success of Burma policy. Japan will be
watching for statements on Burma from member countries at the
December ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, and would use
its bilateral meetings with Burma at the summit to pressure
the regime to demonstrate positive change, said Mizukoshi.


11. (C) The fact that China allowed Burma to be placed on
the UNSC agenda is a sign of China's reluctance to be seen as
obstructionist by the international community, replied DAS
John. The USG has expended significant effort over the past
year to convince China of the importance of pushing for
change in Burma, including the necessity of a UNSCR. The
United States also has been talking to the Philippines,
Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and the other ASEAN countries to
develop a common approach on Burma. As international
momentum builds towards a resolution, China will not want to
compromise its international image with a veto, DAS John
remarked.

Than Shwe still in command, says Japan
--------------

12. (C) Hopes that Than Shwe is becoming isolated within the
SPDC are "wishful thinking," said Maruyama, discounting
rumors that Maung Aye may be becoming disaffected from his
boss. Maung Aye's quick rise to power was only with the
consent of Than Shwe, and his fall from power could be just
as quick. The difficulty in accessing Than Shwe should not
be misconstrued as increased isolation, and in fact shows the
importance of keeping the door open for Gambari. That is why
UN action must "not be overly aggressive," said Maruyama.

Japan and the United States must cooperate on East Timor
-------------- --------------

13. (C) Turning to the situation in East Timor, DAS John
noted that fighting among factions has gotten worse, and is
crippling civil society. The major problem is not outside
influences, or a lack of international support, but rather
the unwillingness of factions within the government to
compromise. This sends a bad signal to all of society and
manifests itself most disturbingly in the existence of
violent gangs terrorizing the streets. DAS John asked for
Japan's help in pressuring the East Timor government's
factions to reconcile. The United States also wants Japan to
support the leading role of Australian forces maintaining
peace in East Timor.


14. (C) Japan and the United States must share more
information about East Timor, agreed DDG Kitera. Portugal's
influence there is doing more harm than good, and Japan
agrees with the United States that the international
community "must be vigorous" in promoting reconciliation.
Japan will support the "Green Hat" option for an
Australian-led international peacekeeping force, and will
inform the Department when Japanese officials responsible for
East Timor issues travel to Washington.


15. (U) EAP DAS John has cleared this message.
SCHIEFFER