JAPAN: DVFM KONO ON IRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000773 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/10/2025 TAGS: PREL IAEA IR JA SUBJECT: JAPAN: DVFM KONO ON IRAN REF: A. TOKYO 446 ¶B. GIBBONS-DONOVAN 02-10-2006 E-MAIL Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Joe Donovan. Reason: 1.4 (b)(d) . ¶1. (C) In a February 10 meeting with Deputy Vice Foreign Minister Masaharu Kono, DCM Donovan underscored U.S. appreciation for Japan's stance on Iran at the IAEA, and asked how Japan would deal with the Iran nuclear issue during the upcoming visit to Tokyo by Iran Foreign Minister Mottaki (ref a). Japan's message to Mottaki would be "crystal clear," Kono responded -- "Iran's actions run counter totally to the IAEA." Japan will take full advantage of the Mottaki visit to impress upon Iran how serious the nuclear issue for Iran-Japan bilateral relations and for the entire NPT system. Japan will also do its best to persuade Iran not to proceed with enrichment and urge Teheran to come to the March IAEA Board of Governors meeting with a more cooperative attitude, Kono stated. The international community must also keep in mind that its response to Iran has implications for North Korea and other rogue nations, Kono stressed, and must take care not to send the wrong message to them. The issue also has broader implications of peace and stability in the Middle East, he added. MOFA, he concluded, needs to do more brainstorming on the issue. ¶2. (C) Asked by the DCM how IAEA referral of Iran to the UN Security Council might affect Japan's oil and gas interests in Iran, Kono replied that it was premature to judge. Japan, he observed, relies on Iran for 15 percent of its oil; consequently, energy security is a major issue. SCHIEFFER