JAPAN CALLS ON INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 002340

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/26/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR JA RS GG
SUBJECT: JAPAN CALLS ON INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT
GEORGIA'S SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY

REF: A. STATE 89769

B. STATE 90978

TOKYO 00002340 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Charge d' Affaires, a.i. James P. Zumwalt. Reasons 1.4
(B) (D)


1. (C) Summary. Tokyo will continue to call on the
international community to respect Georgia,s sovereignty and
territorial integrity, foreign ministry officials told Charge
during an August 26 meeting. Japan supports the
EU-negotiated six-point agreement calling for Russia,s
withdrawal, but is reluctant to criticize Moscow for
violating the agreement because Tokyo is ¬ sure what is
happening on the ground.8 Japanese officials believe Russia
should be given a chance to &behave correctly within the G8
framework,8 and that &there is not necessarily an urgent
need to exclude Russia from the G8.8 MOFA officials ask
that G7 members set a &reasonable8 time for the Foreign
Ministers, telephone call set to take place later this week.
End Summary.

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Japan Concerned About Russian Actions
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2. (C) Charge delivered reftel demarches regarding the
Russia-Georgia conflict and possible recognition of Abkhazia
and South Ossetia to MOFA European Affairs Bureau
Director-General Yasuaki Tanizaki on August 26. Tanizaki
expressed agreement with the points raised by Charge, noting
in particular Tokyo,s support for Georgia,s sovereignty and
territorial integrity. The DG drew attention to statements
made by Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura indicating Japan
would continue its policy of respecting Georgia,s
sovereignty and territorial integrity. According to
Tanizaki, Deputy Foreign Minister (DFM) Kenichiro Sasae
reviewed Tokyo,s concerns about the Russia-Georgia situation
during a G7 Political Directors' telephone call on August 25.

-------------- -
Russia-Georgia Conflict: Diplomatic Engagement
-------------- -


3. (C) Tanizaki provided the following brief responses to
points raised by Charge:

-- Withdrawal of Russian Forces: Japan supports efforts
undertaken by the EU Presidency and calls on Moscow to
implement the six-point agreement calling for Russia,s
withdrawal. At the same time, Tanizaki said &it is not easy
for Japan to say something8 about reports that Russia has
breeched the agreement because Tokyo is ¬ sure what is
happening on the ground.8

-- Humanitarian Corridor: Tanizaki agreed the impact on the
humanitarian situation &will be considerable.8

-- OSCE Monitoring: Tanizaki expressed support for OSCE
efforts to monitor the situation, noting the OSCE was the
organization best positioned to cool tensions.

-- Human Rights Violations: Japan supports efforts to curtail
human rights violations, but believes the G7 must be prepared
for Russian counter-arguments calling for punishment of those
involved in atrocities in South Ossetia, according to
Tanizaki. Moscow will raise the issue in an attempt to
&balance8 concerns of Western nations.

-- Assistance to Georgia: Tanizaki noted Japan has disbursed
USD 1 million in assistance to the region. Charge expressed
appreciation for Japan,s contribution, noting the need for
humanitarian aid had not been fully assessed, and further
contributions may be required.


TOKYO 00002340 002.2 OF 002


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Recognition of Abkhazia and S. Ossetia
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4. (C) Tanizaki said DFM Sasae explained Tokyo,s position on
recognition during the August 25 G7 Political Director,s
telephone exchange. Japanese officials believe G8 members
should give Russia time to abide by the withdrawal agreement,
but &there is not necessarily an urgent need to exclude
Russia from the G8.8 Russia should be given a chance to
&behave correctly within the G8 framework,8 Tanizaki
continued.


5. (c) Charge relayed media reports indicating the Russian
Duma is discussing a resolution calling for Moscow to
recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Tanizaki said Japan
would view any such resolution as a serious matter. Foreign
Ministry officials had met with Russia,s Ambassador to Japan
to express concern. According to Tanizaki, Russian Embassy
officials blamed Georgia for the conflict while providing a
list of casualties caused by Georgian forces. The Russian
Ambassador asked if Japan planned to take any actions to
exclude Moscow from the G8. According to Tanizaki, the
Russian Ambassador had complained that Japan's statements on
Georgia were "unbalanced."

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Kosovo
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6. (C) Tanizaki asked Charge to expand on statements made by
State Department officials regarding Russian attempts to draw
a connection between Abkhazia/South Ossetia and Kosovo.
Charge outlined reftel points on Kosovo, noting the
extensive, long-term effort undertaken by many nations of the
international community under UN auspices. Tanizaki agreed
the two situations were completely different.

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G7 FM Telephone Call
--------------


7. (C) Tanizaki, noting G8 Political Directors agreed to
convene a G7 Foreign Minister,s telephone exchange this
week, asked that Washington and other participants set a
&reasonable8 time for the telephone call. According to the
DG, the last FM telephone exchange occurred at midnight Tokyo
time, which made it impossible for FM Koumura to participate.
MOFA hopes that Minister Koumura, as the G8 chair, would be
able to participate this time. Tanizaki suggested the call
time be set for early morning Washington time, (approximately
8:00 or 9:00 p.m. Tokyo time).
ZUMWALT