JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER UNABLE TO ATTEND AD HOC

UNCLAS TOKYO 004322 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR BELGRADE, NSC FOR ABRAMS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL EAID KPAL KWBG XF JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER UNABLE TO ATTEND AD HOC LIAISON COMMITTEE MEETING REF: STATE 128326 ¶1. (U) Due to the unsettled political situation in Tokyo, Foreign Minister Machimura will be unable to attend the September 24 Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting in New York, according to MOFA First Middle East Division Deputy Director Hideaki Adachi. The meeting will take place on the day after the Liberal Democratic Party is to elect a new President to replace SHINZO ABE as Prime Minister. While the final decision has not yet been made, Adachi said it is highly likely Japan will be represented at the meeting by Ambassador Tatsuo Arima, Special Envoy of the Government of Japan in charge of Peace in the Middle East. ¶2. (U) With regard to financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority, Adachi reminded Embassy Tokyo Political Officer that Japan had only last month announced an assistance package, making it unlikely Japan will be offering additional aid in the near term. ¶3. (U) In the event Ambassador Arima does attend the meeting, Adachi said he would like to request separate meetings with Assistant Secretary Welch and Deputy National Security Advisor Abrams. These meetings could take place either in New York or in Washington. The Japanese Embassy will pursue these requests. Schieffer