PACOM COMMANDER ADM KEATING'S OCT 9 MEETING WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 002915

SIPDIS

PACOM FOR J00/J01/J5; DOD FOR
OSD/APSA/SHINN/SEDNEY/HILL/BASALLA; USFJ FOR J00/J01/J5

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2018
TAGS: PREL PARM MNUC MARR JA
SUBJECT: PACOM COMMANDER ADM KEATING'S OCT 9 MEETING WITH
FOREIGN MINISTER NAKASONE

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

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SUMMARY
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1. (C) PACOM Commander ADM Timothy Keating, accompanied by
the Ambassador, told Foreign Minister Nakasone during an
October 9 courtesy call that continued Japanese refueling
operations in the Indian Ocean in support of Operation
Enduring Freedom (OEF) are critical for success in
Afghanistan. Nakasone welcomed the arrival of the USS GEORGE
WASHINGTON, but underscored the need to ensure nuclear safety
and good behavior by servicemen. He urged continued close
cooperation between the United States and Japan in persuading
China to be more transparent with its defense policy. He
also stressed the importance of ongoing coordination in the
Six-Party process for denuclearizing North Korea. Nakasone
stressed that any verification regime for the DPRK's nuclear
program must guarantee effective verification. Keating
assured Nakasone that all PACOM engagement with China would
not come at the expense of the U.S.-Japan Alliance. He
stated that continued close cooperation on ballistic missile
defense (BMD) will act as a powerful and effective deterrent.
END SUMMARY.

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OEF REFUELING OPERATIONS CRITICAL
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2. (C) On October 9, PACOM Commander Timothy Keating called
on Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone. Nakasone informed
Keating that the Japanese government intends to submit to the
Diet the bill for the new Anti-terror Special Measures Law
authorizing the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF)
to continue refueling missions in the Indian Ocean in support
of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) after the current mandate
expires on January 15. The Japanese government believes that
continued JMSDF refueling operations are an important part of
the global war on terrorism and will do its best to ensure
passage of the bill, Nakasone said. ADM Keating expressed
appreciation for Japan's commitment to OEF and hoped that the
Japanese government is successful in its endeavors to renew
the refueling legislation. Recalling his experience as 5th
Fleet/NAVCENT Commander, Keating assured Nakasone that JMSDF
participation in OEF is absolutely critical to the coalition
forces' success in Afghanistan.

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USS GEORGE WASHINGTON SAFETY/CREW DISCIPLINE
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3. (C) Foreign Minister Nakasone stated that he welcomed the
successful deployment of the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON and its
arrival to Yokosuka on September 25, adding that he was
particularly touched by the Ambassador's speech. He urged
the U.S. Navy to be mindful of the safety concerns of the
local residents and ensure that safety is maintained aboard
the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON. Nakasone also expressed hope that
the crew members will maintain discipline during their tour
and develop good relations with the local residents. ADM
Keating responded that the deployment of the USS GEORGE
WASHINGTON )- the only forward-deployed U.S. nuclear carrier
overseas )- symbolizes the strength of the bilateral
alliance. He stressed that many people in the United States
also have concerns regarding the safety of nuclear powered
vessels, but there is no need for concern as there has never
been an accident involving nuclear safety aboard any U.S.
Navy vessel. Keating added that the Navy will train every
serviceman to respect Japanese culture and society during
their assignment to Japan.

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CHINA DEFENSE BUILDUP/DPRK NUCLEAR VERIFICATION
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4. (C) Foreign Minister Nakasone summarized Japan's
immediate security environment, focusing on China' military

TOKYO 00002915 002 OF 002


buildup and North Korea's ballistic missile and nuclear
programs. He stressed that Japan and the United States
should urge China to take on a more responsible role in the
international community. In particular, China needs to
alleviate the concerns of its neighbors by increasing
transparency in its defense policy and military spending.
Japan will work hard to convince China that it, too, would
benefit by doing so, Nakasone said. On North Korea, Nakasone
underscored the threat posed to the region by the DPRK's
nuclear weapons program and ballistic missile tests, which
make clear the need to maintain a strong deterrence
capability through close coordination between the United
States and Japan. Nakasone expressed appreciation for the
efforts by EAP Assistant Secretary Christopher Hill and other
U.S. officials in the Six Party process, adding that the
process has entered a crucial stage and that any verification
regime for nuclear disablement must guarantee effective
verification.


5. (C) ADM Keating said he agrees completely on the need to
engage China, noting that policies aimed at cornering China
in any way are not constructive. He assured Nakasone that
the United States will coordinate closely with Japan and that
PACOM's engagement with China would not be at the expense of
the U.S.-Japan Alliance. Keating noted Japan's concerns
about North Korea, pointing out that the DPRK's behavior
highlighted the need for continued bilateral cooperation on
ballistic missile defense (BMD),which acts as a powerful and
effective deterrent. Nakasone agreed, noting the successful
missile intercept test by the JMSDF AEGIS destroyer Kongo in
December 2007. He added that another intercept test using
the JDS Chokai will take place later this year.


6. (U) ADM Keating has cleared this message.
SCHIEFFER