Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TOKYO124
2008-01-16 06:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
JAPAN PLANS NO ADDITIONAL BURMA AID
how-toVZCZCXRO3173 PP RUEHDT RUEHPB DE RUEHKO #0124 0160645 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 160645Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1006 INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA PRIORITY 5511 RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA PRIORITY 7905 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE PRIORITY 9176 RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO PRIORITY 6117 RUEHRN/USMISSION UN ROME PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 7839 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 3230 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000124
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PARIS FOR USOECD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2018
TAGS: EAID JA PGOV PREL XC
SUBJECT: JAPAN PLANS NO ADDITIONAL BURMA AID
Classified By: CDA Joseph R. Donovan. Reasons 1.4 (b/d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000124
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PARIS FOR USOECD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2018
TAGS: EAID JA PGOV PREL XC
SUBJECT: JAPAN PLANS NO ADDITIONAL BURMA AID
Classified By: CDA Joseph R. Donovan. Reasons 1.4 (b/d)
1. (C) Summary: Japan has no current plans for development
projects in Burma, according to a Foreign Ministry official.
Press reports saying Japan will provide new grants of US$20
million for projects in the "east-west corridor" are
misleading, the official stressed. Former Prime Minister Abe
had ear-marked US$40 million in 2007 for the region; $20
million designated for the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam "development
triangle" and $20 million still uncommitted. The MOFA
official, however, did not specifically rule out the
resumption of development assistance to Burma at some point
in the future. Given the GOJ's desire to continue to engage
Rangoon and no firm commitments for the leftover funds, this
course appears to remain a possibility. End summary.
2. (C) Japan has no current plans for development projects in
Burma, according to Foreign Ministry First Southeast Asia
Division Principal Deputy Director Atsushi Kuwabara. Press
reports saying Japan will provide new grants of US$20 million
to construct a transportation network in the "east-west
corridor" that crosses the five Mekong area countries are
misleading, he said. Former PM Shinzo Abe had ear-marked a
total of $40 million in 2007 for the region: $20 million for
projects within the "development triangle" between Cambodia,
Laos, and Vietnam, and another $20 million which has not yet
been committed. The GOJ is currently conducting a study to
determine how to allocate the remaining $20 million, Kuwabara
stated. He emphasized nothing has been determined at this
time and nothing has been specifically designated for Burma.
3. (C) There are two east-west corridors in the Mekong area,
Kuwabara continued. "East-West 1," to the north, is largely
complete except for a portion of unpaved road in Burma.
"East-West 2" still requires construction of a bridge over
the Mekong river in Cambodia. The GOJ is considering
investments that would increase the efficiency of both
corridors, Kuwabara said, but obviously could not fund the
construction of an entire bridge for East-West 2 with only
$20 million. Non-infrastructure projects such as traffic
lights or training for traffic police are also under study.
4. (C) Kuwabara maintained press claims that Japan is
funding east-west corridor construction to counter China's
development of the North-South corridor are overblown. The
projects are complementary, and Japan "welcomes any effort to
assist these poor nations."
5. (C) Kuwabara stated the Japan-Mekong ministerial
conference scheduled for January 16 in Tokyo will focus on
what specific projects in the development triangle Japan will
fund. Foreign ministers from each of the participating
countries, including Burma's Nyan Win, will meet separately
with Foreign Minister Koumura. Japan is not satisfied with
the pace of reform and democratization in Burma but believes
patience is needed in dealing with the Burmese military
junta, Kuwabara insisted. UN Under Secretary General Gambari
faces delicate negotiations, as pushing too hard on the junta
may cause the Burmese government to walk away, while not
pushing hard enough allows them to stall. Japan supports
Gambari's efforts, he said.
6. (C) Comment. While Kuwabara stated there are no plans for
additional Burma development aid at this time, he did not
rule out the possibility of restarting assistance in nor the
future or list specific criteria Rangoon would need to meet
for aid to resume. It appears the GOJ is going along with
the international community's stance on assistance (for the
time being),particularly given the Japanese public's
negative perception of the Burmese regime after a Japanese
cameraman was killed during the fall 2007 demonstrations.
Nevertheless, given the GOJ's desire to continue to engage
Rangoon and no firm commitments for the remaining $20
million, the possibility that Japan might recommence its
development assistance to Burma at some point remains. End
comment.
DONOVAN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PARIS FOR USOECD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2018
TAGS: EAID JA PGOV PREL XC
SUBJECT: JAPAN PLANS NO ADDITIONAL BURMA AID
Classified By: CDA Joseph R. Donovan. Reasons 1.4 (b/d)
1. (C) Summary: Japan has no current plans for development
projects in Burma, according to a Foreign Ministry official.
Press reports saying Japan will provide new grants of US$20
million for projects in the "east-west corridor" are
misleading, the official stressed. Former Prime Minister Abe
had ear-marked US$40 million in 2007 for the region; $20
million designated for the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam "development
triangle" and $20 million still uncommitted. The MOFA
official, however, did not specifically rule out the
resumption of development assistance to Burma at some point
in the future. Given the GOJ's desire to continue to engage
Rangoon and no firm commitments for the leftover funds, this
course appears to remain a possibility. End summary.
2. (C) Japan has no current plans for development projects in
Burma, according to Foreign Ministry First Southeast Asia
Division Principal Deputy Director Atsushi Kuwabara. Press
reports saying Japan will provide new grants of US$20 million
to construct a transportation network in the "east-west
corridor" that crosses the five Mekong area countries are
misleading, he said. Former PM Shinzo Abe had ear-marked a
total of $40 million in 2007 for the region: $20 million for
projects within the "development triangle" between Cambodia,
Laos, and Vietnam, and another $20 million which has not yet
been committed. The GOJ is currently conducting a study to
determine how to allocate the remaining $20 million, Kuwabara
stated. He emphasized nothing has been determined at this
time and nothing has been specifically designated for Burma.
3. (C) There are two east-west corridors in the Mekong area,
Kuwabara continued. "East-West 1," to the north, is largely
complete except for a portion of unpaved road in Burma.
"East-West 2" still requires construction of a bridge over
the Mekong river in Cambodia. The GOJ is considering
investments that would increase the efficiency of both
corridors, Kuwabara said, but obviously could not fund the
construction of an entire bridge for East-West 2 with only
$20 million. Non-infrastructure projects such as traffic
lights or training for traffic police are also under study.
4. (C) Kuwabara maintained press claims that Japan is
funding east-west corridor construction to counter China's
development of the North-South corridor are overblown. The
projects are complementary, and Japan "welcomes any effort to
assist these poor nations."
5. (C) Kuwabara stated the Japan-Mekong ministerial
conference scheduled for January 16 in Tokyo will focus on
what specific projects in the development triangle Japan will
fund. Foreign ministers from each of the participating
countries, including Burma's Nyan Win, will meet separately
with Foreign Minister Koumura. Japan is not satisfied with
the pace of reform and democratization in Burma but believes
patience is needed in dealing with the Burmese military
junta, Kuwabara insisted. UN Under Secretary General Gambari
faces delicate negotiations, as pushing too hard on the junta
may cause the Burmese government to walk away, while not
pushing hard enough allows them to stall. Japan supports
Gambari's efforts, he said.
6. (C) Comment. While Kuwabara stated there are no plans for
additional Burma development aid at this time, he did not
rule out the possibility of restarting assistance in nor the
future or list specific criteria Rangoon would need to meet
for aid to resume. It appears the GOJ is going along with
the international community's stance on assistance (for the
time being),particularly given the Japanese public's
negative perception of the Burmese regime after a Japanese
cameraman was killed during the fall 2007 demonstrations.
Nevertheless, given the GOJ's desire to continue to engage
Rangoon and no firm commitments for the remaining $20
million, the possibility that Japan might recommence its
development assistance to Burma at some point remains. End
comment.
DONOVAN