NORTH KOREA: DIET MEMBERS PRESS FOR ABDUCTIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 005137 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/07/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KN JA SUBJECT: NORTH KOREA: DIET MEMBERS PRESS FOR ABDUCTIONS PROGRESS BEFORE DELISTING Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer per 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) Summary: EAP DAS Arvizu met October 31 with eight members of a Diet group dedicated to the return of Japan's abductees. Representative of hardline views in Japan on the issues of negotiating with North Korea and removing the DPRK from the state sponsors of terrorism list, the Diet members expressed grave doubts about North Korean sincerity in agreeing to disable its nuclear facilities and declare its nuclear programs. They added that Japan would be extremely disappointed should the United States ignore its ally's concerns and proceed with a nuclear deal without abductions progress; "delisting could affect friendly relations for generations to come," said one. Noting that the ongoing captivity of the abductees is akin to ongoing terrorist activities, the group urged the United States Government not to delist until there is some positive news on the abductions front. End Summary. ¶2. (C) During an October 31 meeting with EAP DAS Alex Arvizu, eight members of the non-partisan Parliamentarian League for the Early Repatriation of Japanese Citizens Kidnapped by North Korea urged the U.S. Government to refrain from delisting North Korea from the state sponsors of terror list until progress is made on the abductions issue (full list of Diet members in paragraph 10). Senior Diet member Takeo Hiranuma opened the discussion by noting that members of the Parliamentary League plan to visit the United States November 14-16 to meet with U.S. officials, Members of Congress and others to highlight their concerns about delisting coming before abductions progress. The Japanese Government believes that there have been 17 abductees over the years, although hundreds of other missing individuals may have been abducted as well. The DPRK has only acknowledged the five Japanese who have returned to Japan, as well as eight who have died and one who is missing, Hiranuma explained. ¶3. (C) Yoshio Nakagawa noted that while President Bush seems to have a good understanding about the abductions issue, many average Americans and members of Congress do not. Keiji Furuya noted that, in a 2006 meeting with former Deputy National Security Advisor J.D. Crouch, he had handed over materials on Americans that may have been abducted from Japan in the 70's and 80's. "If Americans became suspicious about what happened to their fellow citizens, perhaps their interest in this issue would be higher," Furuya surmised. ¶4. (C) Jin Matsubara related that, during a recent discussion with a Korean National Assemblyman, he was told that the North Koreans cannot be trusted and tell lies. As long as the current North Korean regime remains in power, "nothing they say can be trusted." "The abductions perpetrator Kim Jong-il must be brought to justice," Matsubara said. Shu Watanabe express his concern that the Six Party Talks do not have as part of its agenda any discussions about what kind of country North Korea should be in the future. In that respect, unless North Korea develops agriculture, trade and industry, it will "never abandon its military and nuclear program," he said. ¶5. (C) Responding to Nishimura's question about what role China and Russia can play in ensuring that the DPRK holds up its side of the Six Parties' deal, the DCM said that, unlike in the Agreed Framework, China is a key player in the Six Party Talks, and thus has a stake in their successful outcome. DAS Arvizu stressed that the important goals of the Six Party Talks are both denuclearizing North Korea and showing the regime's leadership that normal trade and other relations are possible if the DPRK ceases its bad behavior. ¶6. (C) Hiroshi Nakai expressed gratitude for U.S. efforts to denuclearize North Korea and supporting Japan's own efforts with the DPRK. At this early stage, it appears that the Six Party Talks have yielded some benefits. However, there are many rumors that the United States will delist North Korea by year's end. If so, North Korea will have a "big laugh," because the DPRK will "never completely give up" its nuclear program. "It would be a mistake to delist North Korea on faith alone," Nakai said. The DCM stressed that the DPRK would never be delisted on faith alone, and that verification procedures will be in place. ¶7. (C) Stressing that the abductions issue is an extremely emotional one for the Japanese, Shu Watanabe said that, TOKYO 00005137 002 OF 002 regardless of how the Six Party Talks turn out, without resolution of the abductions issue, "Japan will never forget this matter. This will be our permanent homework." Even if Japan has to "go it alone, we will take a hardline on this issue." Nishimura asked rhetorically how Japan could offer assistance to a country that had kidnapped its citizens. Furthermore, the United States is Japan's ally; if the U.S. delists the DPRK with abductions progress, "more than 100 million Japanese will be disappointed," he said. ¶8. (C) DAS Arvizu explained the legal requirements for delisting, including certifying to the U.S. Congress that North Korea has not participated in a terrorist act within the last six months and has committed to never engage in terrorism again. In terms of the agreement reached at the Six Party Talks, the DPRK must also disable by year's end its three plutonium production-related sites at Yongbyon and make a full declaration of its nuclear program. Steps to be taken next year will include dismantling its nuclear facilities and removing fissile material from North Korea. Both Representatives Nishimura and Matsubara countered that, until the abductees are returned, "their continued captivity is an ongoing terrorist act." ¶9. (C) Representative Hiranuma, noting that the meeting between President Bush and the mother of abductee Megumi Yokota had been a meaningful event, stated his impression that the "abductions issue is not included in the delisting decision." In spite of President Bush's assurance that the United States will not forget the abductions issue, it is very worrisome that things are moving ahead without abductions progress. "Unfortunately, Japan does not have a card to play, but we will be very disappointed if this issue is left behind," Hiranuma said. Representative Yoshio Nakagawa added that the Japanese are "extremely proud" and have been led to believe that the United States places a high priority on human rights. Because the human rights of these abductees have been violated, the United States should raise its voice, and if the United States ignores this issue, "our pride will be hurt and we will be extremely disappointed. This could impact future generations' friendly relations with the United States," Nakagawa said. Representative Nishimura noted that negotiating with the North Koreans on this matter is like "negotiating with terrorists or kidnappers." "If you allow yourself to be cowed into doing something, then you will be that person's slave forever." ¶10. (SBU) Diet participants: Takeo Hiranuma, (Independent, 9th term, Lower House), Chairman, Abductions League Shoichi Nakagawa (LDP, 10th term, Lower House) Hiroshi Nakai (DPJ, 10th term, Lower House) Yoshio Nakagawa (LDP, 2nd term, Upper House) Shingo Nishimura (Independent, 5th term, Lower House) Shu Watanabe (DPJ, 4th term, Lower House) Keiji Furuya (LDP, 6th term, Lower House) Jin Matsubara (DPJ, 3rd term, Lower House) ¶11. (U) DAS Arvizu has cleared this message. SCHIEFFER