CORRECTED COPY: REQUEST TO ENGAGE JAPAN ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 068633 E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/19/2018 TAGS: PREL SMIL MARR MOPS NATO AF AS CA GM IT FR JA SUBJECT: CORRECTED COPY: REQUEST TO ENGAGE JAPAN ON CONTRIBUTIONS TO AFGHANISTAN SECURITY REF: A. TOKYO 1464 B. TOKYO 1593 C. SECDEF DTG 031932Z JUN 08 D. TOKYO 1623 E. TOKYO 1657 Classified By: EAP Acting A/S Glyn Davies for Reason 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (U) This is an Action Request, please see paragraph 3. -------------- Background -------------- ¶2. (C) The Government of Japan (GOJ) is actively considering possible contributions to support NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) security operations in Afghanistan (REFS A-E). A GOJ survey team traveled to NATO SHAPE on 30 May, and to Afghanistan and neighboring countries from 9-16 June, to collect facts on ISAF needs. COMISAF and ISAF Regional Commanders told the survey team that the most critical ISAF requirements that Japan could address were airlift (especially CH-47s for medium/heavy lift or medevac missions) and leading a Provincial Reconstruction Team in the Daykundi or Nimruz provinces. Other possible contributions include fixed-wing (C-130) or intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets. The GOJ is divided over how to proceed, with some factions interested in minimum and limited contributions. As the GOJ considers the findings from the survey team, it will be important for the U.S. and other international stakeholders in the Afghanistan mission to maintain a common front in urging substantive - not token - Japanese contributions. The upcoming G8 Foreign Ministerial Meeting and Summit in Japan provide the best opportunities to highlight the importance of Japanese participation in Afghanistan at the most senior levels and influence Japanese decision-making. The action request below provides points for G8 members and other international stakeholders to engage their GOJ counterparts on this important issue. -------------- Talking Points -------------- ¶3. (C) ACTION REQUEST: Posts are requested to convey the following points and report reaction back to the Department by June 25. FOR OTTAWA, PARIS, BERLIN, ROME, AND LONDON: Embassies are requested to convey the below points to their host-country foreign ministries at the highest appropriate level. -- The Government of Japan (GOJ) is actively considering possible contributions to support NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) security operations in Afghanistan. -- A Japanese survey team visited NATO SHAPE on 30 May, and Afghanistan and neighboring countries from 9-16 June, to collect facts on ISAF needs. -- Japanese CH-47 rotary-wing assets could help fill a critical ISAF shortfall for medium/heavy-lift and medevac operations. Japan could also lead a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Daykundi or Nimruz provinces, where there is currently no ISAF presence. -- The U.S. has urged the GOJ to consider substantive - not token - security contributions, commensurate with its status as a G8 nation. -- Japan doing more in Afghanistan is in the best interest of both your government and ours. However, Japan's political environment will make it difficult for the GOJ to commit to a substantive contribution. It will therefore be important for international stakeholders in the Afghanistan mission to maintain a common front in urging a substantive Japanese contribution. -- The upcoming G8 Summit in Japan provides an opportunity for us to highlight the positive impact a substantive Japanese contribution would bring to the security environment in Afghanistan. -- At the June 26-27 G8 Foreign Ministers, meeting in Kyoto, please consider emphasizing to Japan Foreign Minister Koumura the importance of substantive Japanese security contributions to ISAF and Afghanistan. -- Please also consider conveying to the Ambassador of Japan the importance of substantive Japanese security contributions to ISAF and Afghanistan, and reinforcing the message through your Embassy in Tokyo. FOR KABUL: Request Embassy convey points below to Afghan Foreign and Defense Ministries at the highest appropriate level, and to National Security Adviser Rassoul. -- The Government of Japan (GOJ) is actively considering possible contributions to support NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) security operations in Afghanistan. -- A Japanese survey team visited NATO SHAPE on 30 May, and Afghanistan and neighboring countries from 9-16 June, to collect facts on ISAF needs. -- Japanese CH-47 rotary-wing assets could help fill a critical ISAF shortfall for medium/heavy-lift and medevac operations. Japan could also lead a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Daykundi or Nimruz provinces, where there is currently no ISAF presence. -- The U.S. has urged the GOJ to consider substantive - not token - security contributions, commensurate with its status as a G8 nation. -- Japan doing more in Afghanistan is in the best interest of both your government and ours. However, Japan's political environment will make it difficult for the GOJ to commit to a substantive contribution. It will therefore be important for international stakeholders in the Afghanistan mission to maintain a common front in urging a substantive Japanese contribution. -- Please consider conveying to the Ambassador of Japan the importance of substantive Japanese security contributions to ISAF and Afghanistan, and reinforcing these messages with partner ambassadors in Kabul. FOR CANBERRA: Request Embassy convey points below to Foreign and Defense Ministries at the highest appropriate level: -- The Government of Japan (GOJ) is actively considering possible contributions to support NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) security operations in Afghanistan. -- A Japanese survey team visited NATO SHAPE on 30 May, and Afghanistan and neighboring countries from 9-16 June, to collect facts on ISAF needs. -- Japanese CH-47 rotary-wing assets could help fill a critical ISAF shortfall for medium/heavy-lift and medevac operations. Japan could also lead a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Daykundi or Nimruz provinces, where there is currently no ISAF presence. -- The U.S. has urged the GOJ to consider substantive - not token - security contributions, commensurate with its status as a G8 nation. -- Japan doing more in Afghanistan is in the best interest of both your government and ours. However, Japan,s political environment will make it difficult for the GOJ to commit to a substantive contribution. It will therefore be important for international stakeholders in the Afghanistan mission to maintain a common front in urging a substantive Japanese contribution. -- Please consider conveying to the Ambassador of Japan the importance of substantive Japanese security contributions to ISAF and Afghanistan, and reinforcing the message through your Embassy in Tokyo. FOR USNATO (POINTS REL NATO) : Request Chief of Mission convey points below to NATO Secretary General (SYG): -- The Government of Japan (GOJ) is actively considering possible contributions to support ISAF security operations in Afghanistan. -- A Japanese survey team visited NATO SHAPE on 30 May, and Afghanistan and neighboring countries from 9-16 June, to collect facts on ISAF needs. In Afghanistan, the team met with COMISAF, COM RC-SOUTH, COM RC-NORTH, and officials from RC-EAST. -- Japanese CH-47 rotary-wing assets could help fill a critical ISAF shortfall for medium/heavy-lift and medevac operations. Japan could also lead a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Daykundi or Nimruz provinces, where there is currently no ISAF presence. -- The U.S. has urged the GOJ to consider substantive - not token - security contributions, commensurate with its desire to strengthen its relationship with NATO. -- Japan doing more in Afghanistan is in the best interest of all coalition partners. However, Japan,s political environment will make it difficult for the GOJ to commit to a substantive contribution. It will therefore be important for international stakeholders in the Afghanistan mission to maintain a common front in urging a substantive Japanese contribution. FOR TOKYO: Request Embassy convey points below to Ambassador of Afghanistan to Japan: -- The Government of Japan (GOJ) is actively considering possible contributions to support NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) security operations in Afghanistan. -- A Japanese survey team visited NATO SHAPE on 30 May, and Afghanistan and neighboring countries from 9-16 June, to collect facts on ISAF needs. -- Japanese CH-47 rotary-wing assets could help fill a critical ISAF shortfall for medium/heavy-lift and medevac operations. Japan could also lead a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Daykundi or Nimruz provinces, where there is currently no ISAF presence. -- The U.S. has urged the GOJ to consider substantive - not token - security contributions, commensurate with its status as a G8 nation. -- As you know, Japan,s political environment will make it difficult for the GOJ to commit to a substantive contribution. It will therefore be important for international stakeholders in the Afghanistan mission to maintain a common front in urging a substantive Japanese contribution. -- Please consider conveying to the Government of Japan the importance of substantive Japanese security contributions to ISAF and Afghanistan, and reinforcing the message with partner ambassdors in Tokyo. ¶4. (U) This message has been coordinated with DOD. Questions concerning this action request can be directed to Dr. Jason Hamm, OSD Country Director for Japan, at Jason.hamm@osd.smil.mil, (703) 614-2897; and to Mr. David Schlaefer, State Political-Military Affairs for Japan, at SchlaeferDA@state.sgov.gov, (202) 647-2914. RICE