JAPAN URGES IRAN TO "TAKE SERIOUSLY" TALKS WITH

S E C R E T TOKYO 001998

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR P AND NEA/IRAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2018
TAGS: PREL KNNP IR JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN URGES IRAN TO "TAKE SERIOUSLY" TALKS WITH
SOLANA

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires James Zumwalt for reasons 1.4(b) and (
d)


1. (S) Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs
Kenichiro Sasae July 17 met with Iranian Ambassador to Tokyo
Seyed Abbas Araghchi and urged him to tell Tehran that it
should "take seriously" talks with E.U. Foreign Policy Chief
Javier Solana that will be attended by Under Secretary Bill
Burns on July 19. According to a readout provided by MOFA
Second Middle East Division Principal Deputy Director
Motosada Matano, Sasae requested the meeting after speaking
on the telephone with U/S Burns.


2. (S) Sasae reportedly told Araghchi that Iran should take
advantage of this opportunity to respond in a positive
manner. Sasae said that, in his opinion, U/S Burns is in a
delicate position as it is likely he has strict instructions
not to engage in any negotiations, and it is also likely
there are a number of people in Washington who would like to
see nothing come from his participation. Accordingly, in
Sasae's view, it is important for the Iranians to respond
positively to Burns' presence in order to make the most of
the meeting and to enhance the prospects that the U.S. will
continue to participate in future talks with the Iranians.
According to Matano, Araghchi responded that he agrees the
upcoming Solana meeting is a good opportunity. "The language
of threats will not work. The Iranian side will talk to
Solana and the P5 1 Political Directors in a spirit of
goodwill, and is always willing to engage in fully open
negotiations."


3. (S) Araghchi asked Sasae if the current impasse with the
West would be solved if Iran were to accept the "freeze for
freeze" option that has been placed on the table. Sasae
replied that simply accepting a temporary freeze would not
solve the long-term problem. What is required is for Iran to
suspend its enrichment activities as required by the
international community, speaking through resolutions passed
in the Security Council.


4. (S) Araghchi also asked Sasae if he thought the Iranians
should wait until a new Administration takes over in
Washington. Sasae said this would be a bad idea, and pointed
to the case of North Korea as an example of what Iran should
do. "The North Koreans are waiting for the new U.S.
government, of course. But at least they are also giving the
impression they are dealing with the current Administration."
This will put pressure on the new Administration to continue
negotiating, rather than to be seen as stepping back or
walking away.
ZUMWALT