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
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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
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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