Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TOKYO2044
2008-07-24 08:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:  

JAPAN PRESSES BURMA BUT EXTENDS ADDITIONAL AID

Tags:  PREL PHUM EAID KDEM BM JA 
pdf how-to read a cable
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PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH RUEHPB
DE RUEHKO #2044/01 2060844
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 240844Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6058
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 4524
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 2121
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 6205
RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 2345
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 0514
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0904
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 002044 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/23/2018
TAGS: PREL PHUM EAID KDEM BM JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN PRESSES BURMA BUT EXTENDS ADDITIONAL AID

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 002044

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/23/2018
TAGS: PREL PHUM EAID KDEM BM JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN PRESSES BURMA BUT EXTENDS ADDITIONAL AID

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


1. (C) SUMMARY: Japanese Foreign Minister Koumura pressed
Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win for progress on
democratization and human rights when the two met July 22 in
Singapore. He also advised Burma to cooperate fully with and
not discriminate against humanitarian assistance workers
engaged in post-cyclone reconstruction efforts. Finally, he
pressed for a complete investigation into the shooting death
last September of a Japanese journalist. Koumura also
announced Japan will grant an additional USD 21 million for
cyclone relief. Win replied that it has always been Burma's
policy to cooperate with the United Nations and it will
continue to do so. Talks with Aung San Suu Kyi will resume
when "the timing is right", Win said, and Burma is on the
path to democracy as demonstrated by the recent
constitutional referendum, its seven-step roadmap, and the
fact that it is in the process of promulgating election and
political party laws that will guarantee a "free and
multi-party" general election in 2010. END SUMMARY.

--------------
JAPAN PRESSES BURMA...
--------------


2. (C) Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura pressed his
Burmese counterpart, Foreign Minister Nyan Win, for progress
on democracy and human rights when the two met July 22 in
Singapore on the sidelines of the ASEAN plus three meeting.
According MOFA Southeast Asia Deputy Director and Chief of
the Myanmar Unit Hideyuki Yazama, Koumura told Win that Burma
must involve all stakeholders in the political process,
release all political prisoners including Aung San Sui Kyi,
and grant open access to foreign aid personnel working to
provide post-cyclone reconstruction assistance. In addition,
Koumura pressed again for a thorough investigation into the
September shooting death of a Japanese journalist and
repeated Japan's demand that his video camera and other
belongings be returned.


3. (C) FM Win replied that it is Burma's policy to cooperate
with the United Nations and that it will continue to do so,
reported Yazama, who served as the interpreter during the

meeting. Win pointed out that UN Special Advisor Ibrahim
Gambari had been invited to visit in May but had to postpone
his visit due to the cyclone. He is now scheduled to come in
mid-August, as is recently-appointed UN Special Rapporteur
for Human Rights Thomas Ojea Quintana. With regard to
cyclone recovery efforts, Win told Koumura that Burma is
cooperating with the United Nations and this, too, will
continue.


4. (C) Concerning democratization and human rights, Win told
Koumura that the last government talks with Aung San Sui Kyi
had taken place in January and that since then, "the timing
had not been right" for further talks, given the preparations
for the referendum and the cyclone. "If the timing becomes
good, the government will resume the meetings", Win told
Koumura. He then explained that Burma is following a
seven-step road map to democratization. The constitutional
referendum has just been held and general elections are
scheduled for 2010. In the meantime, said Win, the
government will be promulgating laws on elections and
political parties. The laws which will be passed will
guarantee freedom of assembly and union, and if the parties
follow the laws they will assure the 2010 elections will be
"free and multi-party."


5. (C) Win complained to Koumura that certain western powers
are pushing Burma by criticizing them and passing sanctions,
but the goal of both these western powers and the government
in Burma is the same: democracy. Instead of sanctioning us,
said Win, these countries should be providing assistance to
help achieve the shared goal of democracy. Koumura, reported
Yazama, replied that although the goal is important, so too
is the means and process by which it is reached. This
process is important to both Japan and much of the rest of
the international community.


6. (C) With regard to the investigation into the death of the
Japanese journalist, Win replied that this falls within the
jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is in
charge of any investigation. That said, he claimed that the

TOKYO 00002044 002 OF 002


Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been cooperating with Japan
to the best of its ability on this issue and will continue to
do so.

--------------
... AND GRANTS ADDITIONAL AID
--------------


7. (C) In addition to pressing Burma for progress on the
fronts described above, Koumura also announced Japan will
extend an additional USD 21 million in post-cyclone
reconstruction assistance, to be used primarily to rebuild
agricultural and educational facilities. This will bring
Japan's total cyclone assistance package to approximately USD
33 million. According to Yazama, Koumura strongly delivered
the message that there should be no discrimination against
foreign assistance workers.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


8. (C) The carrot and stick approach to Burma is still
Japan's preferred method of operation. Despite notable lack
of success over the last several years, Tokyo continues to
believe it can exert more influence over Rangoon if there is
an aid relationship in existence. Japan chafes at
suggestions that they reduce the scope of their cooperation
with Burma, arguing that to do so will result in a loss of
influence that will simply be replaced by China and others
who are only too happy to fill the vacuum without any strings
attached.
ZUMWALT