Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TOKYO1737
2008-06-25 02:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
PM FUKUDA TO PUBLIC: NO GAP WITH U.S. ON DELISTING
how-toVZCZCXRO2428 OO RUEHDT RUEHPB DE RUEHKO #1737 1770240 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 250240Z JUN 08 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5368 INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA PRIORITY 0933 RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA PRIORITY 8557 RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO PRIORITY 9142 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE PRIORITY 2286 RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/USFJ PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001737
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV KN JA
SUBJECT: PM FUKUDA TO PUBLIC: NO GAP WITH U.S. ON DELISTING
Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer per 1.4 (b/d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001737
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV KN JA
SUBJECT: PM FUKUDA TO PUBLIC: NO GAP WITH U.S. ON DELISTING
Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer per 1.4 (b/d)
1. (C) Summary: Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda stressed to the
press June 24 that he is in full agreement with the United
States on the importance of resolving the North Korea nuclear
issue. If removing North Korea from the state sponsors of
terror list leads to nuclear progress, then "it should be
welcomed," he said. Opposition leader Ozawa and
representatives of the abductees families were critical of
the possible delisting, however, stressing that delisting
will remove a key tool for resolving the abductions issue.
End Summary.
2. (SBU) In remarks to the press June 24, Prime Minister
Fukuda said if the U.S. removal of North Korea from the list
of state sponsors of terror helps to lead to a resolution of
the nuclear issue, then "it should be welcomed." "There is
absolutely no difference of opinion on this matter between
the United States and Japan," he stressed. He went on to say
that the abductions issue must be resolved and that the
United States and Japan must remain in close contact on the
matter.
3. (C) Although some conservative press comments noted that
the PM was the only high-level official to have a positive
outlook on the possible DPRK delisting, most editorials urged
the Japanese Government to use the 45 days after the
Congressional notification of delisting to cooperate with the
United States and press North Korea. In that vein, Foreign
Minister Koumura remarked on June 24 that he plans to tell
the Secretary during their meeting on June 27 that the
Japanese Government hopes that the United States will not
"give up its delisting card just yet."
4. (C) For his part, opposition Democratic Party of Japan
leader Ozawa was critical of the rumored delisting, noting
that although the United States had told the abductees'
family members "nice things," in the end Japan's situation
was not taken into consideration in U.S. strategy.
Representatives of the abductees' families have also
expressed their concerns to the press, noting their fear that
delisting will remove a key source of leverage in resolving
the abductions issue.
SCHIEFFER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV KN JA
SUBJECT: PM FUKUDA TO PUBLIC: NO GAP WITH U.S. ON DELISTING
Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer per 1.4 (b/d)
1. (C) Summary: Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda stressed to the
press June 24 that he is in full agreement with the United
States on the importance of resolving the North Korea nuclear
issue. If removing North Korea from the state sponsors of
terror list leads to nuclear progress, then "it should be
welcomed," he said. Opposition leader Ozawa and
representatives of the abductees families were critical of
the possible delisting, however, stressing that delisting
will remove a key tool for resolving the abductions issue.
End Summary.
2. (SBU) In remarks to the press June 24, Prime Minister
Fukuda said if the U.S. removal of North Korea from the list
of state sponsors of terror helps to lead to a resolution of
the nuclear issue, then "it should be welcomed." "There is
absolutely no difference of opinion on this matter between
the United States and Japan," he stressed. He went on to say
that the abductions issue must be resolved and that the
United States and Japan must remain in close contact on the
matter.
3. (C) Although some conservative press comments noted that
the PM was the only high-level official to have a positive
outlook on the possible DPRK delisting, most editorials urged
the Japanese Government to use the 45 days after the
Congressional notification of delisting to cooperate with the
United States and press North Korea. In that vein, Foreign
Minister Koumura remarked on June 24 that he plans to tell
the Secretary during their meeting on June 27 that the
Japanese Government hopes that the United States will not
"give up its delisting card just yet."
4. (C) For his part, opposition Democratic Party of Japan
leader Ozawa was critical of the rumored delisting, noting
that although the United States had told the abductees'
family members "nice things," in the end Japan's situation
was not taken into consideration in U.S. strategy.
Representatives of the abductees' families have also
expressed their concerns to the press, noting their fear that
delisting will remove a key source of leverage in resolving
the abductions issue.
SCHIEFFER