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