Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TOKYO2274
2008-08-18 08:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:  

JAPAN ANNOUNCES GEORGIA ASSISTANCE, IS CONSIDERING

Tags:  PREL PGOV MOPS MARR GG RU JA 
pdf how-to read a cable
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C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 002274 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS MARR GG RU JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN ANNOUNCES GEORGIA ASSISTANCE, IS CONSIDERING
CONFLICT'S AFFECT ON RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA

Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer per 1.4 (b/d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 002274

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS MARR GG RU JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN ANNOUNCES GEORGIA ASSISTANCE, IS CONSIDERING
CONFLICT'S AFFECT ON RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA

Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer per 1.4 (b/d)


1. (C) Summary: Japan will provide USD one million in
humanitarian assistance to Georgia, the composition of which
will be determined by the content of an upcoming UN appeal.
Japan continues to call on Russia to abide by its cease-fire
with Georgia and to withdraw from Georgian territory "outside
of South Ossetia." In the meantime, our MOFA contacts tell
us, the impact on Japan's relationship with Russia depends on
Moscow's implementation of its pledges and the UNSC and
NATO's response. Although Japan recognizes the number of
venues to signal that Russia's actions are unacceptable, they
are concerned about delinking Russia from institutions that
support international norms. End Summary.


2. (C) Japan will provide USD one million in emergency
humanitarian relief to Georgia, Foreign Minister Koumura
announced August 15. Based on the content of the upcoming UN
appeal, MOFA will determine the composition of the
assistance, MOFA Caucasus Division Director Shigeyuki
Shimamura told Embassy Tokyo August 18. Because Japan lacks
the logistical infrastructure to deliver the aid on its own,
it will rely on the UN to procure and deliver the assistance,
Shimamura explained.


3. (C) The Japanese Government continues to call on Russia to
implement the cease-fire agreement with Georgia and to
withdraw from Georgian territory "outside of South Ossetia,"
Shimamura said. In the meantime, Japan continues to consider
how its relationship with Russia will be affected by the
conflict with Georgia. "Depending on how Russia proceeds,
and how discussions in the UNSC and NATO develop, Japan will
decide how to move forward with both Georgia and Russia,"
Shimamura said. The Japanese Government "strongly welcomed"
the G7 phone call initiated by Secretary Rice, and looks
forward to further coordinating with the United States, he
said.


4. (C) In a separate conversation with Econ M/C August 15,
MOFA DG for International Economics Otabe said that Dan Price
has called Japanese Sherpa Kohno to discuss the situation of
Russia in the G8. Otabe also noted that there are a number
of places where it might be possible to send a signal that
Russia's military actions in Georgia are not acceptable: the
G8, discussions about Russia's accession to the IEA and OECD,
and work on Russian membership in the WTO. DG Otabe agreed
that Russia's behavior is completely unacceptable, but --
saying that he was speaking personally -- wondered whether it
would be worse if Russia were not linked in to these bodies
that should be giving it a sense of responsibility for the
global system.
SCHIEFFER