Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TOKYO695
2007-02-16 09:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
JAPANESE AMBASSADOR FOR IRAQI RECONSTRUCTION
VZCZCXRO9881 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHKO #0695/01 0470902 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 160902Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0757 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/COMUSJAPAN YOKOTA AB JA PRIORITY RHMFISS/USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 TOKYO 000695
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR S/I STEPHENSON AND NEA/I
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2017
TAGS: PREL IZ SA QA TU SY JA
SUBJECT: JAPANESE AMBASSADOR FOR IRAQI RECONSTRUCTION
VISITS NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
Classified By: Ambassador J.Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 TOKYO 000695
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR S/I STEPHENSON AND NEA/I
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2017
TAGS: PREL IZ SA QA TU SY JA
SUBJECT: JAPANESE AMBASSADOR FOR IRAQI RECONSTRUCTION
VISITS NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
Classified By: Ambassador J.Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: Japanese Ambassador in Charge of
Reconstruction Assistance to Iraq Gotaro Ogawa visited
Turkey, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar January 24-31. Ogawa
reports he found all four countries to be deeply concerned
about the lack of stability in Iraq, critical of United
States policy, and worried about the rising influence of
Iran.
-- Syrian officials complained they are trying to take
action that will satisfy the United States but are frustrated
because they get no credit for steps they claim to be taking
to fortify the border and to absorb large numbers of Iraqi
refugees;
-- The Turks do not believe we take their concerns seriously
and say the U.S. ignores their advice;
-- Saudi Arabia lacks confidence in the Maliki
administration but feels compelled to support it as much as
is possible;
-- Qatar is willing to play a larger role in coordinating
regional support for Iraq and told Ogawa they would be
willing to host the signing ceremony for the International
Compact with Iraq if requested to do so.
Ogawa believes it is critical that the United States continue
to work closely with the Maliki government and that the
Compact process, which seems to have lost momentum, be
reinvigorated. He stressed that Japan understands
Washington's new policy toward Iraq and fully supports it.
END SUMMARY.
--------------
COMMON CONCERNS
--------------
2. (C) Ambassador Ogawa February 14 provided a readout to
Embassy Tokyo Political Officer of his January 24-31 visit to
several countries neighboring Iraq. Specifically, Ogawa
visited Turkey, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar as part of
Japan's efforts to encourage Iraq's neighbors to be more
forthcoming in promoting stability and reconstruction in
Iraq. Ogawa observed that each country he visited has unique
concerns and outlooks regarding Iraq, but that several common
points dominate:
-- the stability and territorial integrity of Iraq is of
critical importance to all four countries he visited, and all
are taking steps to remain engaged to avoid the breakup of
the country;
-- the four countries he visited are all critical of U.S.
policy in Iraq, both with regard to the initial decision to
invade and the subsequent policies, and believe that the
emphasis of any new policy should focus more on fostering
reconciliation and dialogue, not merely enhancing security
alone; all of them, but particularly Turkey, which considers
itself a key ally of the United States, complained to him
that Washington does not listen to them or take their advice
seriously; and
-- all four countries are very concerned about the rising
power of Iran.
3. (C) Representatives of each country he visited told Ogawa
they are taking what steps they can to help stabilize Iraq.
Turkey and Qatar said they are training Iraqi police. Saudi
Arabia and Syria claimed to be taking steps to better control
their borders with Iraq -- with Syria complaining that they
get no credit for the steps they are taking to do so.
Turkey, Syria, and Saudi Arabia all told him they are taking
steps to encourage the reconciliation process by hosting
regional meetings or engaging Iraqi Sunnis with messages
urging moderation. In addition to a number of neighboring
country conferences and Minister of Interior meetings, Saudi
Arabia pointed to the usefulness of the GCC Plus Two
engagements and expressed optimism concerning Secretary
Rice's renewed efforts to increase mutual understanding and
to develop confidence building measures.
4. (C) Ogawa was hopeful that Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia
could be prevailed upon to provide financial assistance to
Iraq in the future. He urged all the countries he visited to
TOKYO 00000695 002 OF 003
play an active role in the International Compact With Iraq
process and said that Turkey, Syria, and Qatar, although not
members of the preparatory group, are interested in joining
the process. He is disappointed that Saudi Arabia is not
willing to host the Compact's final meeting where it will be
signed, but said the Qataris told him they would host it if
asked.
--------------
INDIVIDUAL VIEWS
--------------
5. (C) SYRIA: Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Fayssal Mekdad
complained to Ogawa that Damascus does not get credit from
the United States for the steps it is taking to help bring
stability to Iraq. He claimed there are now over 10,000
Syrian soldiers on the border and that it is the Iraqi side,
not the Syrians, who are not doing their part on securing the
border which, he said, is impossible to completely seal given
its length and the fact that many tribes and families live on
both sides and routinely cross back and forth. Corruption
among border officials on both sides also plays a
complicating role, asserted the Syrians. Mekdad claimed that
Syria has the political will to control the border and cited
as positive steps since the "normalization" of relations last
December as the establishment of a "hotline" between
Ministries of Interior, the establishment of better
communications between border patrol forces, and the
launching of joint border patrols combining Iraqi and Syrian
officials.
6. (C) In addition, Mekdad told Ogawa that Syria has
tightened entry procedures for young Arab males with measures
that have drawn complaints from travelers about the time it
now takes to enter Syria. Terrorists crossing the border are
just as much a threat to Syria as they are to Iraq, that many
have been arrested, and that "hundreds" are held in Syrian
custody. Syria could use more and better equipment and
technology to control their border but the international
community is not willing to provide such assistance, Mekdad
stated.
7. (C) The Syrians also cited to Ogawa growing problems with
the presence of Iraqi refugees, claiming that Syria now hosts
over one million Iraqi refugees, some of whom are becoming
problems. Ogawa said that he visited UNHCR sites in Syria
during his visit and was told by UN officials that the number
of refugees is troublesome. Syria is hopeful, Mekdad told
Ogawa, that the United States will recognize the steps it is
taking to help stabilize Iraq, but is frustrated that this
has not been the case. Mekdad also said that Syria has been
playing a positive role by urging Sunnis in Iraq to moderate
their behavior and participate in the political process.
8. (C) Ogawa told Political Officer that the scope of his
discussions with Mekdad had been limited to Iraq, and that
other regional issues, such as Iran, Lebanon, or the Middle
East Peace Process, had not been discussed.
9. (C) TURKEY: Ogawa observed that the Turks have a vital
interest in the stability of Iraq but their focus always
reverts to and is dominated by Kirkuk and the question of the
PKK. Ankara expressed concerns about the number of Kurds
moving into Kirkuk, is opposed to the holding of a referendum
on the future of Kirkuk, and Ogawa fears that there are
elements in the Turkish government who would support a
military intervention if it becomes apparent Kirkuk is about
to fall under Kurdish control. The Turks are unhappy that
the United States does not seem to value their advice more
highly and believe they could play a useful role engaging
with other regional powers - Iran - that the United States is
currently precluded from dealing with.
10. (C) SAUDI ARABIA: The Saudis, said Ogawa, are very
concerned about the rise of Shia power in Iraq and the
increasing influence of Iran. They lack confidence in the
Maliki government and are skeptical of his ability to lead
but see no other choice than to continue to lend it support,
even though it would rather not do so. Ogawa holds out hope
that the Saudis can be convinced to offer debt relief to
Baghdad, even though a final decision on this has not yet
been made, but is disappointed Riyadh will not host the ICI
signing ceremony. The Saudis, like the Syrians, have
concerns about border security issues and are critical of
Iraqi capabilities in this field, but the problems are not as
pronounced as they are with Syria.
TOKYO 00000695 003 OF 003
11. (C) QATAR: Ogawa's impression of the Qataris is that
they are trying to play a positive role in organizing support
for Iraq from others in the region. He thinks their
financial resources can play a role.
--------------
PERSONAL IMPRESSIONS
--------------
12. (C) Ambassador Ogawa concluded his readout by providing
the following personal observations:
-- He believes Turkey and Saudi Arabia can play an important
role in fostering national reconciliation by encouraging
Iraqi Sunnis to moderate their opposition and participate
more constructively in the political process, that these
countries can also help with border control issues, and that
the United States should consider taking better advantage of
Ankara and Riyadh in these fields. With regard to the
Syrians, there is a need to look more closely at what they
are doing and what type of role they can be convinced to play.
-- Most of the countries of the region fear the rise of Iran,
but they are also afraid the United States will launch
military action against Tehran. The common ground is that
all want to counter Iran, and more advantage should be taken
of the GCC Plus Two (which excludes Iran) and the neighboring
countries framework (which includes Iran) to address these
concerns and take concerted action.
-- Continued close cooperation between the United States and
the Maliki government is crucial, given the lack of
confidence neighboring leaders have in him. Recently Maliki
seems to be taking firmer action to control security in Iraq,
but other countries will continue to lend him support only as
long as the United States does.
-- The Compact With Iraq process has lost momentum and must
be reinvigorated. Ogawa is frustrated that a date or
location for the final meeting has not even been set yet. He
believes it is critical for Iraq that improvements on the
security front be made in concert with economic and
reconstruction activities - both are mutually beneficial. He
also noted that the Compact imposes requirements on Iraq and
that pressure should be maintained on Iraq by the process to
meet these commitments.
13. (C) Japan understands Washington's new policy toward Iraq
and fully supports it, said Ogawa. Tokyo hopes the new plan
will bring security to both Baghdad and other parts of the
country. But the Iraq Compact can also be utilized to gain
support for Iraq from other countries and a conference to
finalize the Compact should be held as soon as possible.
SCHIEFFER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR S/I STEPHENSON AND NEA/I
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2017
TAGS: PREL IZ SA QA TU SY JA
SUBJECT: JAPANESE AMBASSADOR FOR IRAQI RECONSTRUCTION
VISITS NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
Classified By: Ambassador J.Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: Japanese Ambassador in Charge of
Reconstruction Assistance to Iraq Gotaro Ogawa visited
Turkey, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar January 24-31. Ogawa
reports he found all four countries to be deeply concerned
about the lack of stability in Iraq, critical of United
States policy, and worried about the rising influence of
Iran.
-- Syrian officials complained they are trying to take
action that will satisfy the United States but are frustrated
because they get no credit for steps they claim to be taking
to fortify the border and to absorb large numbers of Iraqi
refugees;
-- The Turks do not believe we take their concerns seriously
and say the U.S. ignores their advice;
-- Saudi Arabia lacks confidence in the Maliki
administration but feels compelled to support it as much as
is possible;
-- Qatar is willing to play a larger role in coordinating
regional support for Iraq and told Ogawa they would be
willing to host the signing ceremony for the International
Compact with Iraq if requested to do so.
Ogawa believes it is critical that the United States continue
to work closely with the Maliki government and that the
Compact process, which seems to have lost momentum, be
reinvigorated. He stressed that Japan understands
Washington's new policy toward Iraq and fully supports it.
END SUMMARY.
--------------
COMMON CONCERNS
--------------
2. (C) Ambassador Ogawa February 14 provided a readout to
Embassy Tokyo Political Officer of his January 24-31 visit to
several countries neighboring Iraq. Specifically, Ogawa
visited Turkey, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar as part of
Japan's efforts to encourage Iraq's neighbors to be more
forthcoming in promoting stability and reconstruction in
Iraq. Ogawa observed that each country he visited has unique
concerns and outlooks regarding Iraq, but that several common
points dominate:
-- the stability and territorial integrity of Iraq is of
critical importance to all four countries he visited, and all
are taking steps to remain engaged to avoid the breakup of
the country;
-- the four countries he visited are all critical of U.S.
policy in Iraq, both with regard to the initial decision to
invade and the subsequent policies, and believe that the
emphasis of any new policy should focus more on fostering
reconciliation and dialogue, not merely enhancing security
alone; all of them, but particularly Turkey, which considers
itself a key ally of the United States, complained to him
that Washington does not listen to them or take their advice
seriously; and
-- all four countries are very concerned about the rising
power of Iran.
3. (C) Representatives of each country he visited told Ogawa
they are taking what steps they can to help stabilize Iraq.
Turkey and Qatar said they are training Iraqi police. Saudi
Arabia and Syria claimed to be taking steps to better control
their borders with Iraq -- with Syria complaining that they
get no credit for the steps they are taking to do so.
Turkey, Syria, and Saudi Arabia all told him they are taking
steps to encourage the reconciliation process by hosting
regional meetings or engaging Iraqi Sunnis with messages
urging moderation. In addition to a number of neighboring
country conferences and Minister of Interior meetings, Saudi
Arabia pointed to the usefulness of the GCC Plus Two
engagements and expressed optimism concerning Secretary
Rice's renewed efforts to increase mutual understanding and
to develop confidence building measures.
4. (C) Ogawa was hopeful that Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia
could be prevailed upon to provide financial assistance to
Iraq in the future. He urged all the countries he visited to
TOKYO 00000695 002 OF 003
play an active role in the International Compact With Iraq
process and said that Turkey, Syria, and Qatar, although not
members of the preparatory group, are interested in joining
the process. He is disappointed that Saudi Arabia is not
willing to host the Compact's final meeting where it will be
signed, but said the Qataris told him they would host it if
asked.
--------------
INDIVIDUAL VIEWS
--------------
5. (C) SYRIA: Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Fayssal Mekdad
complained to Ogawa that Damascus does not get credit from
the United States for the steps it is taking to help bring
stability to Iraq. He claimed there are now over 10,000
Syrian soldiers on the border and that it is the Iraqi side,
not the Syrians, who are not doing their part on securing the
border which, he said, is impossible to completely seal given
its length and the fact that many tribes and families live on
both sides and routinely cross back and forth. Corruption
among border officials on both sides also plays a
complicating role, asserted the Syrians. Mekdad claimed that
Syria has the political will to control the border and cited
as positive steps since the "normalization" of relations last
December as the establishment of a "hotline" between
Ministries of Interior, the establishment of better
communications between border patrol forces, and the
launching of joint border patrols combining Iraqi and Syrian
officials.
6. (C) In addition, Mekdad told Ogawa that Syria has
tightened entry procedures for young Arab males with measures
that have drawn complaints from travelers about the time it
now takes to enter Syria. Terrorists crossing the border are
just as much a threat to Syria as they are to Iraq, that many
have been arrested, and that "hundreds" are held in Syrian
custody. Syria could use more and better equipment and
technology to control their border but the international
community is not willing to provide such assistance, Mekdad
stated.
7. (C) The Syrians also cited to Ogawa growing problems with
the presence of Iraqi refugees, claiming that Syria now hosts
over one million Iraqi refugees, some of whom are becoming
problems. Ogawa said that he visited UNHCR sites in Syria
during his visit and was told by UN officials that the number
of refugees is troublesome. Syria is hopeful, Mekdad told
Ogawa, that the United States will recognize the steps it is
taking to help stabilize Iraq, but is frustrated that this
has not been the case. Mekdad also said that Syria has been
playing a positive role by urging Sunnis in Iraq to moderate
their behavior and participate in the political process.
8. (C) Ogawa told Political Officer that the scope of his
discussions with Mekdad had been limited to Iraq, and that
other regional issues, such as Iran, Lebanon, or the Middle
East Peace Process, had not been discussed.
9. (C) TURKEY: Ogawa observed that the Turks have a vital
interest in the stability of Iraq but their focus always
reverts to and is dominated by Kirkuk and the question of the
PKK. Ankara expressed concerns about the number of Kurds
moving into Kirkuk, is opposed to the holding of a referendum
on the future of Kirkuk, and Ogawa fears that there are
elements in the Turkish government who would support a
military intervention if it becomes apparent Kirkuk is about
to fall under Kurdish control. The Turks are unhappy that
the United States does not seem to value their advice more
highly and believe they could play a useful role engaging
with other regional powers - Iran - that the United States is
currently precluded from dealing with.
10. (C) SAUDI ARABIA: The Saudis, said Ogawa, are very
concerned about the rise of Shia power in Iraq and the
increasing influence of Iran. They lack confidence in the
Maliki government and are skeptical of his ability to lead
but see no other choice than to continue to lend it support,
even though it would rather not do so. Ogawa holds out hope
that the Saudis can be convinced to offer debt relief to
Baghdad, even though a final decision on this has not yet
been made, but is disappointed Riyadh will not host the ICI
signing ceremony. The Saudis, like the Syrians, have
concerns about border security issues and are critical of
Iraqi capabilities in this field, but the problems are not as
pronounced as they are with Syria.
TOKYO 00000695 003 OF 003
11. (C) QATAR: Ogawa's impression of the Qataris is that
they are trying to play a positive role in organizing support
for Iraq from others in the region. He thinks their
financial resources can play a role.
--------------
PERSONAL IMPRESSIONS
--------------
12. (C) Ambassador Ogawa concluded his readout by providing
the following personal observations:
-- He believes Turkey and Saudi Arabia can play an important
role in fostering national reconciliation by encouraging
Iraqi Sunnis to moderate their opposition and participate
more constructively in the political process, that these
countries can also help with border control issues, and that
the United States should consider taking better advantage of
Ankara and Riyadh in these fields. With regard to the
Syrians, there is a need to look more closely at what they
are doing and what type of role they can be convinced to play.
-- Most of the countries of the region fear the rise of Iran,
but they are also afraid the United States will launch
military action against Tehran. The common ground is that
all want to counter Iran, and more advantage should be taken
of the GCC Plus Two (which excludes Iran) and the neighboring
countries framework (which includes Iran) to address these
concerns and take concerted action.
-- Continued close cooperation between the United States and
the Maliki government is crucial, given the lack of
confidence neighboring leaders have in him. Recently Maliki
seems to be taking firmer action to control security in Iraq,
but other countries will continue to lend him support only as
long as the United States does.
-- The Compact With Iraq process has lost momentum and must
be reinvigorated. Ogawa is frustrated that a date or
location for the final meeting has not even been set yet. He
believes it is critical for Iraq that improvements on the
security front be made in concert with economic and
reconstruction activities - both are mutually beneficial. He
also noted that the Compact imposes requirements on Iraq and
that pressure should be maintained on Iraq by the process to
meet these commitments.
13. (C) Japan understands Washington's new policy toward Iraq
and fully supports it, said Ogawa. Tokyo hopes the new plan
will bring security to both Baghdad and other parts of the
country. But the Iraq Compact can also be utilized to gain
support for Iraq from other countries and a conference to
finalize the Compact should be held as soon as possible.
SCHIEFFER