Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TOKYO1445
2008-05-27 09:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
JAPAN'S VIEWS ON LEBANON SITUATION
how-toVZCZCXRO3591 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHKO #1445 1480903 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 270903Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4551 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI 0227 RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS 0217 RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 0362 RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0305 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 3559 RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0298 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 0311 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 0517 RUEHDO/AMEMBASSY DOHA 0265 RUEHKU/AMEMBASSY KUWAIT 0370 RUEHMK/AMEMBASSY MANAMA 0184 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 2316 RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT 0331 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0761 RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 0286 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0004 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001445
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ELA IRWIN AND EUR/ERA GIAUQUE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2018
TAGS: PREL LE SY IR JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN'S VIEWS ON LEBANON SITUATION
REF: STATE 52061
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Joe Donovan for reasons 1.4(b) a
nd (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001445
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ELA IRWIN AND EUR/ERA GIAUQUE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2018
TAGS: PREL LE SY IR JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN'S VIEWS ON LEBANON SITUATION
REF: STATE 52061
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Joe Donovan for reasons 1.4(b) a
nd (d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: Japan is closely following the situation in
Lebanon and on May 27, MOFA's spokesperson issued a statement
of support following the election of President Suleiman.
However, Japan is not likely to make statements critical of
Iran or Syria at this time. Likewise, Japan is hesitant to
formally classify Hizbollah as a terrorist organization,
either fully or partially, until a majority of G-8 countries
do so. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) Talking points and background information contained in
reftel were shared with Japan's Special Envoy for Middle East
Peace Ambassador Tatsuo Arima by Deputy Chief of Mission May
23, and separately by Political Officer with MOFA First
Middle East Division Principal Deputy Director Akihiro Tsuji.
Arima told DCM Japan is closely following the situation in
Lebanon and is anxious to signal its strong support for Prime
Minister Siniora's government. He recalled that Siniora had
twice been scheduled to visit Tokyo but had to postpone his
trips at the last moment due to political turmoil and
violence in Beirut. He lamented the fact that Japan had
therefore missed out on an opportunity to very publicly
bolster Siniora and his government.
3. (U) Following the election of General Michel Suleiman as
President, on May 27 MOFA issued a statement welcoming his
election as an important step towards the stability of
Lebanon. The statement also expressed appreciation for the
countries involved in brokering the recent deal which led to
an end to the violence and the agreement to elect Suleiman,
and urged him to show strong leadership in ensuring Lebanon's
stability and political independence.
4. (C) Concerning other steps to be taken by Japan, Tsuji
said Tokyo is unlikely to publicly condemn either Syria or
Iran, although it agrees these countries are playing very
unhelpful roles in destabilizing the situation. Japan
believes it is able to exercise more influence over both by
maintaining "normal" relations rather than by calling them
out in public. When pressed on whether Japan will take
action against Hizbollah by formally designating it as a
terrorist organization, either partially or in full, Tsuji
replied that Japan would consider doing so only after a
majority of the G-8 countries have done so.
SCHIEFFER
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ELA IRWIN AND EUR/ERA GIAUQUE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2018
TAGS: PREL LE SY IR JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN'S VIEWS ON LEBANON SITUATION
REF: STATE 52061
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Joe Donovan for reasons 1.4(b) a
nd (d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: Japan is closely following the situation in
Lebanon and on May 27, MOFA's spokesperson issued a statement
of support following the election of President Suleiman.
However, Japan is not likely to make statements critical of
Iran or Syria at this time. Likewise, Japan is hesitant to
formally classify Hizbollah as a terrorist organization,
either fully or partially, until a majority of G-8 countries
do so. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) Talking points and background information contained in
reftel were shared with Japan's Special Envoy for Middle East
Peace Ambassador Tatsuo Arima by Deputy Chief of Mission May
23, and separately by Political Officer with MOFA First
Middle East Division Principal Deputy Director Akihiro Tsuji.
Arima told DCM Japan is closely following the situation in
Lebanon and is anxious to signal its strong support for Prime
Minister Siniora's government. He recalled that Siniora had
twice been scheduled to visit Tokyo but had to postpone his
trips at the last moment due to political turmoil and
violence in Beirut. He lamented the fact that Japan had
therefore missed out on an opportunity to very publicly
bolster Siniora and his government.
3. (U) Following the election of General Michel Suleiman as
President, on May 27 MOFA issued a statement welcoming his
election as an important step towards the stability of
Lebanon. The statement also expressed appreciation for the
countries involved in brokering the recent deal which led to
an end to the violence and the agreement to elect Suleiman,
and urged him to show strong leadership in ensuring Lebanon's
stability and political independence.
4. (C) Concerning other steps to be taken by Japan, Tsuji
said Tokyo is unlikely to publicly condemn either Syria or
Iran, although it agrees these countries are playing very
unhelpful roles in destabilizing the situation. Japan
believes it is able to exercise more influence over both by
maintaining "normal" relations rather than by calling them
out in public. When pressed on whether Japan will take
action against Hizbollah by formally designating it as a
terrorist organization, either partially or in full, Tsuji
replied that Japan would consider doing so only after a
majority of the G-8 countries have done so.
SCHIEFFER