UN CAPITAL MASTER PLAN: JAPAN WILL PAY LATER THAN

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000126 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNGA AORC KUNR SUBJECT: UN CAPITAL MASTER PLAN: JAPAN WILL PAY LATER THAN THE U.S. ¶1. The Japanese delegate has told USDel, confidentially, that the supplemental budget recently approved by the Diet does not include any funding for the 2007 assessment for the Capital Master Plan (CMP). The GOJ hopes to include funding in next year's supplemental budget (normally approved in March),which means that Japan's 2007 contribution is likely to be later than the U.S. contribution (included in the FY08 President's Budget). He did not indicate whether Japan was seeking to pay its entire assessment in one payment or over five years. He did, however, indicate that the Ministry of Finance did not agree to submit a request in this most recent supplemental budget and that the only vehicle for financing the CMP assessment is through the supplemental budget, not the regular cycle. The delegate also told USDel that the regular budget cycle has begun, with the proposals to be discussed by the Diet in coming weeks. They hope to receive funding from this process that will allow them to at least pay their share of the working capital reserve fund and of the $42 million appropriation for 2007. He asked that this information not be shared with other Member States or the Secretariat, given the sensitivities regarding CMP financing. SIPDIS WOLFF