UNSC/IRAN: AMBASSADOR BOLTON MEETS WITH JAPANESE

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000834

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/24/2011
TAGS: AORC IAEA KNNP JA IR
SUBJECT: UNSC/IRAN: AMBASSADOR BOLTON MEETS WITH JAPANESE
DG MOTOHIDE

Classified By: Ambassador John Bolton for reasons 1.4 (b,d).


1. (C) Begin Summary. In an April 13 meeting,
Director-General of Middle Eastern and African Affairs at the
Japanese MFA Motohide Yoshikawa raised with Ambassador Bolton
some of the economic and domestic pressures impacting
Japanese government policy on Iran. He asked that U.S.
statements not single out Japan's economic exposure to Iran,
but also include references to India and China, which have
similarly significant economic relationships. Motohide
expressed concern about the "P5 plus 1" format for Iran
discussions and said domestic criticisms in Japan have
resulted. He sought more U.S.-Japanese discussion of Iran in
New York and suggested G8 discussion of Iran would highlight
Japan's role on the issue. Motohide noted that Japan is the
third largest donor to the Palestinians after the U.S. and
EU, but not a member of the Quartet and will not necessarily
adhere strictly to the Quartet line. End Summary.


2. (C) Japan's Economic Interests: Motohide Yoshikawa,
Director-General of Middle Eastern and African Affairs at the
Japanese MFA, said he had been briefed in Washington on U.S.
thinking about Iran, but wanted to share with Ambassador
Bolton Japanese domestic concerns vis--vis Iran. He said
Japan's economic exposure to Iran is significant. Total
trade between the two countries is some $10 billion, and 90%
of Japan's oil comes from Iran and the Persian Gulf
countries. He regretted this exposure, but said it could not
be redressed without nearby sources of oil or until Iraq
increases oil exports. He noted some Japanese companies are
taking steps to reduce reliance on Iranian oil purchases, but
that is a long-term strategy. Motohide asked that U.S.
statements on Iran not target Japan, but also include India
and China, which have similar levels of economic exposure.


3. (C) Ambassador Bolton said the U.S. is concerned about
Japan's ability to pressure Iran, given this economic
exposure, and he noted the Azadegan oil field development.
On the latter point, Motohide said there have been some
delays: construction cannot begin until the Iranians finish
minesweeping; some of the deal is being renegotiated, since
prices of components, especially steel, have gone up, since
it was made; and a delay in replacing the Iranian Oil
Minister has slowed the functioning of the Ministry.


4. (C) Political Role for Japan: Motohide said Japan would
support a UNSC Chapter VII resolution or be part of a
"coalition of the willing" to pressure Iran, but the
government is being criticized at home for not having a seat
at the table in the "P-5 plus 1" format that includes
Germany, but not Japan. In the government's defense,
Motohide said he points to Japan's IAEA Chairmanship, UNSC
and G8 membership, and bilateral channels with Tehran, but
this is a political problem at home. He suggested a
prominent discussion of Iran at the G8 Summit and preparatory
meetings would underscore Japan's role.


5. (C) Ambassador Bolton said most discussions of Iran in
New York had been strictly among the P5, at China's
insistence. Germany had only participated in the March 20
Political Directors' meeting in New York and the FMs' meeting
in Berlin. He agreed on closer U.S-Japan contacts in New
York and said he would keep the Japanese Mission better
informed. He acknowledged the broad concerns of the
Council's elected members about the closely held drafting
process of the PRST, but said given the tough Russian line,
more open negotiations would have made concluding the PRST
even more difficult. He said Russia has real economic
concerns about Iran - the Bushehr plant, additional nuclear
plants, and arms sales - and it will be important to assure
Russia that no European firms will sweep in and take away
Russian business.


6. (C) Middle East Peace: Motohide asked why as the third
largest contributor to the Palestinians after the U.S. and
EU, Japan should follow the Quartet line without being a
Quartet participant. He said recent Japanese statements had
differed slightly from Quartet statements, and Japan wants
some leeway in this regard. He also queried the roles of the
Quartet and Jim Wolfensohn following the Hamas electoral
victory. Ambassador Bolton said the U.S. government is
forbidden to have any contacts with terrorist entities;
therefore, the security coordinators will not have contacts
with Hamas- led ministries, and the U.S will channel much of
its assistance to UNWRA. He anticipated a Quartet meeting in
early May and said we would keep Japanese interlocutors
posted in the run up to the meeting.


BOLTON