JAPAN SUPPORTS ELECTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 002947 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/A AND EAP/J E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2018 TAGS: PREL KDEM AF JA SUBJECT: JAPAN SUPPORTS ELECTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN REF: STATE 108855 Classified By: Ambassador J. T. Schieffer for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) (C) Japan shares our views regarding the importance of free, fair, and credible elections in Afghanistan that are recognized by all ethnic groups as legitimately demonstrating the will of the Afghan people, according to MOFA Second Middle East Division Principal Deputy Director Motosada Matano. Embassy shared reftel points with Matano October 22. He indicated that the current political situation in Japan makes it difficult to commit funding at this time, but said that supplemental funding legislation to help support the elections in Afghanistan is under consideration and will be introduced once the situation in the Japanese parliament becomes more clear. It is anticipated that this will be sometime early in 2009. In the meantime, Japan will continue to lend public support for the development of democracy in Afghanistan. SCHIEFFER