JAPAN'S REACTION TO U.S.-IRAQI DECLARATION OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 005377 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2017 TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS UNSC IZ JA SUBJECT: JAPAN'S REACTION TO U.S.-IRAQI DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES REF: STATE 159862 Classified By: Ambassador J.Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Japan's main concern about the Declaration of Principles for a Long-Term Relationship of Cooperation and Friendship Between the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America is reference to the fact that it is anticipated the next rollover of the UN Security Council resolution authorizing the Multi-National Force for Iraq (MNF-I) will be the last. The Japanese fear that without the international legal topcover the UNSCR provides, it will be very difficult for Japan to continue to deploy the Air Self Defense Force (ASDF) aircraft and personnel which are currently based in Kuwait flying transport missions into Iraq. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Embassy Tokyo Political Officer provided the factsheet and talking points contained in reftel, along with a text of the Declaration, to Shingo Miyamoto, Principal Deputy Director of MOFA's National Security Division, and, separately, to Motosada Matano, Principal Deputy Director of MOFA's Second Middle East Division. Both had questions about the Declaration's statement that the UNSCR which authorizes MNF-I will only be extended one more time, through December ¶2008. They are concerned that without a UN mandate, Japan will be unable to continue to deploy ASDF assets based in Kuwait which support MNF-I. In addition, they noted the possibility that other nations would feel the same way and that this would precipitate the withdrawal from the coalition of a number of troop contributors. Under this circumstance, even if Japan were able to maintain its presence without a resolution, the departure of other members would lead to questions here about why Japan remains while others depart. ¶3. (C) COMMENT: The special legislation which permits Japan to deploy the ASDF in Kuwait was renewed last July for two years, and will accordingly expire in July 2009. It will be necessary this July for the Cabinet to review and reapprove the Basic Plan which governs the deployment, but this should not be a problem unless the opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) can force early elections and seize control of the government. The DPJ, which recently won control of the Upper House of the Diet, has made Japan's continued participation in both Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) a major domestic political issue. In addition to holding up renewal of Japan's participation in OEF, the DPJ also recently passed legislation in the Upper House to end Japan's participation in OIF. However, this legislation will fail in the ruling coalition-controlled Lower House, making the DPJ's actions merely symbolic. However, this battle makes it clear Japan will have a very difficult time keeping the ASDF active in OIF if the UN mandate ends in December 2008. END COMMENT. SCHIEFFER