JAPANESE PARTICIPATION AT 63RD UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 002091 SIPDIS IO/UNP FOR SUN P FOR REINEMEYER EAP/RSP FOR TIKVART NSC FOR MCDONALD E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/29/2018 TAGS: PREL OTRA OVIP KSEP UNGA JP SUBJECT: JAPANESE PARTICIPATION AT 63RD UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY REF: STATE 72078 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Jim Zumwalt for reasons 1.4(b) a nd (d) ¶1. (C) Japanese participants at the 63rd UN General Assembly are undecided due to the unsettled domestic political situation in Tokyo, according to MOFA United Nations Policy Division Director Shigeki Takizaki. However, Takizaki said it is hopeful that both Prime Minister Fukuda and Foreign Minister Koumura will attend, if circumstances permit. He pointed out that as chair of this year's G8 process and as the host of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development IV (TICAD IV),PM Fukuda should attend. In a similar vein, FM Koumura should be present to chair the G8 Foreign Ministers meeting that will take place on the margins of UNGA. (COMMENT: As noted by Takizaki, whether Fukuda and/or Koumura can attend UNGA will depend upon political developments in Tokyo at the time. In the past, contentious Diet debates taking place at the same time as UNGA have precluded participation in New York by ministerial-level Japanese leaders, who are required to remain in Tokyo while the Diet is in session. Accordingly, it may not be possible to pin down Japanese participation at UNGA until nearly the last moment. END COMMENT.) ¶2. (C) Following, per reftel, is our interim report on possible attendance by Japanese officials: ¶A. Attendance of the Head of State: No plans, unlikely to attend. ¶B. Attendance of the Head of Government: Uncertain, but hoped for. -- Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda; -- Arrival and departure dates uncertain; -- Unlikely that spouse would accompany; -- Interpretation would be required. The Prime Minister normally travels with his own interpreter; ¶C. Attendance of the Foreign Minister: Uncertain, but hoped for. -- Minister of Foreign Affairs Masahiko Koumura; -- Arrival and departure dates uncertain; -- Unlikely that spouse would accompany; -- Interpretation would be required. The Foreign Minister normally travels with his own interpreter. ¶D. Attendance of other VIPs: Uncertain. ¶E. Attendance of the Foreign Ministry Official responsible for IO affairs: Uncertain but hoped for. He will participate if the Foreign Minister attends. -- Foreign Policy Bureau Director General Koro Bessho; -- Arrival and departure dates uncertain; -- Unlikely that spouse would accompany; -- Interpretation not needed. SCHIEFFER