JAPAN WELCOMES NEW U.S. POLICY ON IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000151 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2017 TAGS: MARR MOPS PGOV PREL IZ JA SUBJECT: JAPAN WELCOMES NEW U.S. POLICY ON IRAQ REF: STATE 3592 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i., Joseph R. Donovan. Reason: 1.4 (b)(d). ¶1. (C) Based on reftel talking points, the Charge provided a detailed explanation of the new U.S. policy towards Iraq on January 12 to newly named Deputy Vice Foreign Ministry Chikao Kawai. The Charge thanked Kawai for the positive expressions of support for the new initiative by Prime Minister Abe and Foreign Minister Aso, and also for the assistance Japan has provided in Iraq through the Special Measures Law and generous yen loans. ¶2. (C) Kawai thanked the Charge for providing the thorough explanation of the new policy, and reiterated the public support earlier expressed by PM Abe and FM Aso. Regarding extension of the Special Measure Law, Kawai commented that a two-year extension would likely be difficult. DONOVAN