IRANIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS TOKYO, AGAIN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000973 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2017 TAGS: PREL KNNP UNSC IR JA SUBJECT: IRANIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS TOKYO, AGAIN REF: TOKYO 799 Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4(b) and (d ) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Iran is willing to negotiate over its nuclear program, but will not agree to suspend enrichment activities as a precondition to talks, Iran's DFM for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araghchi told his Japanese hosts March 2. According to MOFA contacts, FM Aso and DFM Yabunaka warned Araghchi not to underestimate the significance of UNSC resolutions and said that it is up to Iran to comply with the will of the international community. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araghchi visited Tokyo March 2 where he was received by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Mitoji Yabunaka and, separately, by Minister of Foreign Affairs Taro Aso, according to Junichi Sumi of MOFA's Second Middle East Division. This was Araghchi's third visit since last June. Discussions covered the same ground they have during previous visits, Sumi told Embassy Tokyo Political Officer March 6. Araghchi raised two main points in his meeting with Yabunaka, which lasted approximately two hours and fifteen minutes. First, Iran is willing to negotiate with the West but cannot agree to suspend uranium enrichment activities as a precondition for talks. The suspension of uranium enrichment might be a discussion topic, but not at the outset. Second, Iran is well aware of efforts to enact another Security Council resolution concerning its nuclear activities, and, at the same time, of efforts being made to make a "statement" that Iraq must engage in negotiations. ¶3. (C) Araghchi told Yabunaka that a new resolution will not contribute to solving this problem, nor will it help lead to the establishment of peace and security in the Gulf region. Araghchi stressed that Iran has made clear many times that it is not dismissive of the concerns of the international community. Nonetheless, it will not be forced to suspend its enrichment activities as a precondition to talks. He suggested that negotiations begin by addressing easier problems first and then, perhaps, it would be possible to talk about ending the enrichment process. "It is not reasonable" Aragachi told Yabunaka, "to talk about the most difficult issue first." According to Sumi, Araghchi made the same points in his meeting with FM Aso, which lasted approximately 30 minutes. (NOTE: Sumi was careful to point out that the last time Aragachi visited, the same pattern was followed with regard to appointments. The Iranian was received for a short meeting by Aso and for a longer meeting with Yabunaka's predecessor, former DFM Nishida. END NOTE.) ¶4. (C) Both Aso and Yabunaka responded in the same manner to Araghchi, according to Sumi. First, Iran should not underestimate the importance of a United Nations Security Council resolution. Iran must comply with the requirements set forth by the international community and suspend its uranium enrichment activities. Second, the Japanese warned Araghchi that isolation from the rest of the international community is something to be avoided. Recalling Japan's history prior to and after World War II, Aso warned that Iran would be foolish to isolate itself from the rest of the community of nations. Finally, Iran should realize that it is an important nation and can play a major role either for better or for worse. It would be wiser for Iran to be sensitive to its own power and influence and make wise choices about the paths it chooses to follow. Yabunaka, said Sumi, also emphasized to Araghchi that Iran should take advantage of the opportunities being presented. He mentioned the North Korea situation, the fact the United States is ready to talk with Tehran, and that the international community is committed to solving this problem peacefully and diplomatically. Iran must suspend its nuclear enrichment activities and come to the table, Yabunaka stressed. ¶5. (C) Sumi reported that Araghchi took all this in and replied that Iran hopes Japan will play a constructive role in ultimately solving this problem. Neither side, Sumi said, expected a breakthrough or any significant changes from earlier discussions, the most recent of which took place by telephone between FM Aso and Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki February 19 (reftel.) The atmosphere of the meetings was friendly as Araghchi is a "reasonable guy", according to Sumi, who can openly discuss the issues. He had a good relationship with former DFM Nishida and both the Japanese TOKYO 00000973 002 OF 002 and Iranians hope to see this continue with Yabunaka. SCHIEFFER