JAPAN'S FOREIGN POLICY STRATEGY TOWARD BURMA

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 002906

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2027
TAGS: PREL PHUM BM JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN'S FOREIGN POLICY STRATEGY TOWARD BURMA

REF: TOKYO 02477

Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer. Reasons: 1.4 (b)(d).


1. (C) Summary: Using humanitarian aid and technical
assistance to keep bilateral lines of communication open is
the backbone of Japan's foreign policy strategy on Burma,
MOFA contacts told Tokyo Embassy political officer on June

20. Japan shares many of the United States' concerns on
Burma, including Burma's late-May agreement to pursue civil
nuclear cooperation with Russia. Tokyo is using a flexible
approach, however, because keeping bilateral dialogue open is
necessary to accomplish its shared goals, MOFA First
Southeast Asia Division Principal Deputy Director Kuwabara
explained. The Abe Administration will be "carefully
watching" the Russia-Burma nuclear deal; the Japanese Embassy
in Burma has emphasized to Burmese authorities the need for
Burma to follow IAEA rules, Kuwabara noted on June 27.
Foreign Minister Aso, however, did not raise this issue
during his May 28 meeting with Foreign Minister Nyan Win.
End Summary.


2. (C) Foreign Minister Taro Aso pressed for the release of
political detainee Aung San Suu Kyi, and conveyed Japan's
deep concern about the one-year extension of her house arrest
announced on May 27, during a meeting in Tokyo with Burmese
Foreign Minister Nyan Win on May 28, according to MOFA
contact Masuya Nishikuramori, who served as the official
interpreter at the meeting. Aso called for Burma to
implement a clear time frame for implementing democracy and
urged Burma to move forward on implementing a new
constitution. (Comment: At the time of the meeting, the
date for reconvening the National Convention (NC) was
undecided, but Burma later notified MOFA that the military
regime will reconvene its NC on July 18. MOFA had not
expected the NC to reconvene until early October, and was
pleased with the July 18 date. End Comment).


3. (C) Foreign Minister Aso, contrary to Japanese press
reporting, failed to raise Japan's concerns over Burma's
late-May agreement with Russia on civil nuclear cooperation
during the meeting. Although the one-hour plus meeting
lasted longer than expected, Aso did not have time to broach
the matter, MOFA First Southeast Asia Division Principal
Deputy Director Kuwabara told Tokyo Embassy political officer
on June 27. The Japanese Embassy in Burma, however, has
urged the Burmese to follow IAEA rules on nuclear safety and
security. Japan remains concerned since Burma has not
approved the IAEA Safeguards Additional Protocol. Tokyo will
continue to watch the situation closely from a "security,
safety, and nonproliferation perspective" Kuwabara stated.


4. (C) Japan shares U.S. concerns on human rights issues in
Burma, and hopes both Japan and the United States will
encourage China to raise this with Burma, Kuwabara explained.
It is time for China to press the Burmese on this, rather
than simply continuing its policy of calling the matter a
"domestic political problem," Kuwabara noted. At the same
time, it is important for the international community not to
isolate Burma. Japan will continue to use humanitarian aid
and technical assistance as tools to promote bilateral
dialogue with the Burmese, Kuwabara emphasized. Kuwabara
cited Japan's June 5th decision to provide roughly USD 80,650
(10 million yen) worth of disaster relief goods to Burma
following the May tidal wave and cyclone disaster, as a way
of using humanitarian aid to engage Burma.

schieffer