Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TOKYO2728
2008-09-30 08:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
SECNAV DISCUSSES GUAM, OEF, AND RUSSIA WITH NEW
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C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 002728
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/30/2018
TAGS: MARR PGOV PINR PREL JA
SUBJECT: SECNAV DISCUSSES GUAM, OEF, AND RUSSIA WITH NEW
DEFENSE MINISTER, VICE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Classified By: AMBASSADOR J. THOMAS SCHIEFFER,
REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 002728
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/30/2018
TAGS: MARR PGOV PINR PREL JA
SUBJECT: SECNAV DISCUSSES GUAM, OEF, AND RUSSIA WITH NEW
DEFENSE MINISTER, VICE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Classified By: AMBASSADOR J. THOMAS SCHIEFFER,
REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D).
¶1. (U) Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter met September 26
with newly appointed Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada and
MOFA Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Mitoji Yabunaka.
Ambassador Schieffer and Commander of Naval Forces Japan Rear
Admiral James Kelly joined Secretary Winter.
¶2. (C) Defense Minister Hamada urged the U.S. government to
consider Japan's request to incrementally fund projects on
Guam and to offer tax waivers for Japanese money. Secretary
Winter told Hamada that the USG ability to permit incremental
funding was constrained by U.S. law and absent an act of
Congress, which is not a realistic option, the United States
and Japan must to work through this issue and move forward.
Despite these and other challenges, Secretary Winter stressed
the U.S. commitment to the Guam relocation project. The
Ambassador added that the Japanese government's request for
exemption from Guam taxes would create a burden on the people
of Guam.
¶3. (C) During a separate meeting with Vice Minister Yabunaka,
Secretary Winter noted the U.S. government,s appreciation
for Japanese support of OEF and hoped that Japan would be
able to continue its mission despite current domestic
political challenges. Yabunaka emphasized that new Prime
Minister Aso has said he will "do his utmost" to continue
these operations as it is important "both for the
international community and Japan." Indicating concern about
Russia,s recent actions in Georgia, Secretary Winter asked
for Japan,s support in developing an appropriate response.
Yabunaka said Russia,s recent behavior in Georgia should not
be looked at as an isolated incident, and said that the
international community should "express multilaterally" our
dissatisfaction with Russia.
SCHIEFFER