EAP/MLS DIRECTOR SCOT MARCIEL,S FEBRUARY 27

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000978

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2017
TAGS: PHSA PREL CH ID RP PO AS JA
SUBJECT: EAP/MLS DIRECTOR SCOT MARCIEL,S FEBRUARY 27
MEETINGS WITH MOFA


TOKYO 00000978 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d).


1. (C) Summary: Japan is still studying the question of how
best to increase collaboration with the United States on
assistance to Southeast Asia, MOFA First Country Assistance
Planning Division Director Maeda told EAP/Office of Maritime
Southeast Asia Director Marciel, on February 27.
Establishing multilateral projects between Japan, the United
States, and ASEAN would have a better chance of success, he
suggested. MOFA Second Southeast Asia Division Director
Isomata shared U.S. concerns about increased violence in East
Timor and noted President Gusmao will visit Japan in March to
attend a peace-building seminar. On the Philippines, Isomata
explained that concerns about the extra-judicial killings
might affect ODA provision. Encouraging Malaysia and
Indonesia to sign the Regional Cooperation Agreement on the
Prevention and Suppression of Piracy is one of PM Abe's
foreign policy goals, Isomata explained, while adding Japan
wants the U.S. to wait to join ReCAPP until after Malaysia
and Indonesia join. In addition to stepping up cooperation
with ASEAN, MOFA Asian Regional Policy Division Director
Aikawa recommended the United States become more engaged with
the East Asia Summit. End Summary.

Aid Cooperation in Southeast Asia
--------------


2. (C) MOFA First Country Assistance Planning Division
Director Toru Maeda told EAP/Office of Maritime Southeast
Asia Director Scot Marciel, on February 27 that his
government needed more time to ponder the question of how to
increase collaboration with the USG on assistance in
Southeast Asia. The United States and Japan have different
"brand names" in the region, and since certain brand names
are more effective in particular places, it is better to keep
them separate than to try to merge the brand names, Maeda
asserted. Marciel suggested that publicly identifying
projects that complement each other, rather than being joint,
would be an alternate way to highlight U.S. cooperation with
Japan and ASEAN. Stepping up bilateral U.S.-Japan
cooperation and multilateral U.S.-Japan-ASEAN cooperation
would bring increased benefits for everyone, Marciel added.


3. (C) Maeda responded that moving forward on joint aid
projects would require high-level discussion within the
Japanese government. There may be small projects where local
communities would welcome joint U.S.-Japanese cooperation,
but Japan would need more time to identify possible
opportunities, Maeda noted. Taking a multilateral approach
to aid projects in ASEAN countries is very beneficial, Maeda
agreed. Building trust and confidence with the host country
takes time; it is important for the host country to be in the
driver's seat on aid projects, Maeda emphasized. In response
to a question on whether collaboration with the United States
could have a negative impact for Japan, Maeda explained that
the host country should determine the depth of U.S.-Japanese
cooperation.

East Timor
--------------


4. (C) Marciel told MOFA Southeast Asia Division Director
Akio Isomata that the United States wants to continue to
coordinate and cooperate with Japan, along with Portugal and
Australia, in promoting stability, accountability, and free
and fair elections in East Timor. Isomata agreed. He said
Japan is concerned about increased violence in East Timor,
and is committed to promoting nation-building there, but it
will be years before concrete progress is made. It is
difficult to know how much of the violence is politically
motivated, Marciel stated, adding that the U.S. also is
concerned about the lack of discipline in the military.
President Gusmao is planning to visit Japan in March to
attend a peace-building seminar sponsored by the Japan
Institute of International Affairs, Isomata noted.

Indonesia
--------------


5. (C) Turning to Indonesia, Isomata stated that reducing
corruption, establishing rule of law, creating a market

TOKYO 00000978 002.2 OF 002


economy, and improving human rights are all very important.
Prime Minister Abe has very good personal ties with Jakarta
and may visit Indonesia after the July Upper House election,
he added. Marciel said the United States and Japan share an
interest in encouraging economic liberalization and reform in
Indonesia, and should work together as much as possible.
Isomata agreed, and observed that U.S. officials could help
speed up economic reform by visiting Indonesia more often.
Japan and the United States need to share more information on
Indonesia, and direct contact with the Japanese Embassy in
Jakarta is an important step in doing this, Isomata stated.

Philippines
--------------


6. (C) Japan has adopted a cautious approach on aid projects
in Mindanao due to security problems, and has guarded
optimism on the peace process, according to Isomata.
Japanese NGOs and Diet members are concerned about the
unstable political situation and extra judicial executions,
and this may influence Japanese ODA assistance to the
Philippines, he explained. Prime Minister Abe strongly
conveyed his concern to President Arroyo but is not planning
to issue a statement on the political killings at this time,
Isomata noted. Japan is working with Malaysia on ways to
promote the peace process in Mindanao and Prime Minister Abe
is going to raise this with the Malaysian deputy prime
minister when he visits Tokyo in early March.

Combating Piracy
--------------

7. (C) Prime Minister Abe is encouraging Indonesia and
Malaysia to sign the 2004 Regional Cooperation Agreement on
Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia
(ReCAAP). Japan believes that, if the international
community can persuade either country to join, the other will
follow. The United States will reinforce the importance of
joining, Marciel replied. Japan hopes Washington will
respect the sensitivity of this issue, and hopes the United
States will wait to join until after Malaysia and Indonesia
join, Isomata stressed.

ASEAN and Regional Architecture
--------------

8. (C) MOFA Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director
Kazutoshi Aikawa told Marciel that ASEAN appears to becoming
stronger and "more serious," and may be trying to counter the
possible future rise of Chinese and Indian regional
influence. Aikawa commented that ASEAN Plus Three was
getting too large and unfocused. The East Asia Summit (EAS)
should be used to achieve goals such as coping with avian
flu, energy issues, disaster management, educational
exchanges, and financial issues. The United States should be
come more engaged on the EAS framework because ASEAN Plus
Three is becoming increasingly influenced by China and "some
countries" are uncomfortable with this, Aikawa explained.
ASEAN's attitude on regional architecture development is
improving because more countries are realizing the possible
benefits, Aikawa said.


9. (U) EAP/Office of Maritime Southeast Asia Director Scot
Marciel has cleared this cable.
SCHIEFFER