CCS MACHIMURA STANDS BEHIND G8 ENVIRONMENT

S E C R E T TOKYO 001496 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/29/2018 TAGS: SENV KGHG PREL JA SUBJECT: CCS MACHIMURA STANDS BEHIND G8 ENVIRONMENT MINISTERS' MEETING REF: A. STATE 56636 ¶B. TOKYO 1476 Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4 b/d. Summary -------------- ¶1. (S/NF) The Ambassador conveyed deep disappointment in the process and policy outcomes of the G8 Environmental Ministerial during a May 30 meeting with Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura. The Ambassador emphasized the role the Major Economies Meeting (MEM) process must play if there are to be successful climate change negotiations. While Machimura expressed recognition of the importance of the MEM, he suggested developed and developing countries could move forward on climate negotiations on separate tracks and expressed hope that the G8 countries would reach an agreement at the Summit to that effect. Machimura also said the Environment Ministerial's Chairman's Summary was a basic reflection of Japan's position on climate issues. End Summary. ¶2. (S/NF) The Ambassador delivered demarche points (ref A) on U.S. concern over the G8 Environment Ministerial during a May 30 meeting with Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura. He expressed deep disappointment with the handling of the Ministerial and with the Chairman's Summary, which did not accurately reflect the agreement the U.S. thought it had with Japan prior to the meetings. He said the U.S. response in the media after the Ministerial had been restrained, but that restraint should not be interpreted as agreement. The U.S. is not prepared to accept a Summit outcome that is reflective of the thinking in the Environment Ministers' Chairman's Summary. The U.S., however, does not want a failure at Toyako, which is why the Ambassador sought out CCS Machimura to clear up any misunderstandings. ¶3. (S/NF) The Ambassador also highlighted the role of the Major Economies Meetings in global climate negotiations and the necessity of having China and India be part of any agreements. The Ambassador said the Environment Ministerial Chairman's Summary undercut the MEM and our countries' ability to negotiate with China and India. Japan has expressed support for the MEM in the past, and the Ambassador sought confirmation of continued support in the run-up to the Summit and MEM Leaders' Meeting. ¶4. (S/NF) CCS Machimura responded Japan well understands the importance of the MEM and noted the June Major Economies' Meeting in Seoul as well as the Major Economies Leaders' Meeting. He added it is "indispensable" for the U.S., China, and India to be parties to any agreement on reducing greenhouse gas emissions for it to be effective, but that it would be difficult for any one country to commit first. Reflecting on a conversation he had with Senator Joseph Lieberman May 29 (ref B),Machimura said the G8 had agreed in Heiligendamm to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (comment: we do not believe that was the agreement) and for that result to be achieved, developed countries would need to "work more" than developing countries. Machimura expressed hope President Bush would come to understand this, which would lead to the Summit being a success. ¶5. (S/NF) Asked to clarify his thoughts on the timing for an agreement among developed and developing economies, CCS Machimura said his understanding is developing countries have not yet committed to halving emissions by 2050 and that, if all countries are to agree by the end of 2009, the advanced countries would have to agree earlier. The process will be more successful, he concluded, if the developed countries agree at the G8 Summit. ¶6. (S/NF) Asked again to clarify if that meant Japan thought the G8 should agree on a long-term emissions goal, even if China and India did not agree at the same time, CCS Machimura said what China and India need to agree to is "something we need to discuss." As developing countries, he said it would take time to see what could be achieved by the end of 2009. ¶7. (S/NF) The Ambassador asked if the Chairman's Summary from the Environmental Ministerial is therefore an accurate summary of Japan's position. Machimura responded he had not read the document in detail. When a staff member handed him a Japanese translation, he remarked the Summary gives a description that goes beyond the agreement reached at Heiligendamm, but basically reflects Japan's position and the discussions in the Ministerial. The Ambassador reiterated the U.S. does not believe the Summary reflects what went on at the Ministerial or the agreements we had reached between Japan and the United States before the Ministerial. ¶8. (S/NF) Machimura said he understood the Ambassador's message and hoped the U.S. and Japan could work together better during the next G8 ministerial. (METI will host the G8 Energy Ministerial June 7-8.) He added he would ask Japan's Sherpa to work with the U.S. Sherpa on the leaders' text to incorporate the concerns discussed. The Ambassador agreed on the sentiment of working together better, but pointed out previous discussions among the Sherpas had not been reflected at the Environment Ministerial and that both process and policy problems would need to be addressed. (Note: In a side conversation between CCS Machimura and his staff, Machimura had to be corrected on who Japan's Sherpa is.) ¶9. (C/NF) On the Japanese side, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Economic Affairs Bureau Deputy Director General Sumio Kusaka and Second North American Division Director Noriyuki Shikata (notetaker) were also present at the meeting. Shikata called the Embassy following the meeting and said CCS Machimura had not had the chance to be briefed prior to the meeting and that his statements were drawn from his general knowledge of events. Comment -------------- ¶10. (S/NF) Each side had an interpreter at the meeting, and paragraphs 2 through 9 are an account of what transpired in English. We believe, however, that CCS Machimura's interpreter left substantial policy details out of her interpretation. Following are key points expressed by CCS Machimura in Japanese only: -- Para 4 on timing: "If you argue whether it will be the U.S. or India or China to make the first commitment, the argument will deadlock and the process will not move forward." -- Para 6 on China and India: "(China's and India's) economies are growing and we do not even know what year should be used as a base year in negotiations. That will be discussed at the end of 2009," he said, implying the need for an agreement among the G8 at the Summit. -- Para 7: Machimura mentioned that there is little more than one month left before the Summit and expressed hope discussion in the U.S. would move to the "level" of discussion in the Chairman's Summary. SCHIEFFER