Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TOKYO3046
2008-10-31 07:27:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:  

JAPANESE SUPPORT FOR MULTINATIONAL FORCE AND

Tags:  PREL KMFO EG IS JA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKO #3046 3050727
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 310727Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8446
INFO RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 0321
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 0772
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 003046 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/RA ADAM VACCARO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/2018
TAGS: PREL KMFO EG IS JA
SUBJECT: JAPANESE SUPPORT FOR MULTINATIONAL FORCE AND
OBSERVERS

REF: STATE 114327

Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4(b) and (d
)

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 003046

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/RA ADAM VACCARO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/2018
TAGS: PREL KMFO EG IS JA
SUBJECT: JAPANESE SUPPORT FOR MULTINATIONAL FORCE AND
OBSERVERS

REF: STATE 114327

Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4(b) and (d
)


1. (C) Japan will try to maintain its current USD 240,000
annual contribution to the Multinational Force and Observers
(MFO),but it will be difficult to contribute more, according
to MOFA First Middle East Division Principal Deputy Director
Akihiro Tsuji. Embassy Tokyo spoke with Tsuji October 31, as
per reftel, underlining our strong support for the MFO and
the need for Japan to continue its support as well. Tsuji
replied that the Japanese Embassies in Rome and Cairo have
already received demarches on this subject and, in addition,
Egyptian Ambassador to Japan Walid Mahmoud Abdelnasser had
called on MOFA Director General for Middle Eastern and
African Affairs Toshiro Suzuki to press for support for the
MFO.


2. (C) Tsuji told us Japan will make every effort to continue
to support the MFO at current levels, but said it would be
extremely difficult to increase its contributions given the
financial constraints faced by Japan and the number of
competing priorities. In fact, said Tsuji, even maintaining
support at current levels is difficult, as Japan's
contributions to MFO are considered voluntary in nature,
rather than required. As a result, every time Japan's budget
for such things is reviewed, the voluntary programs face the
most scrutiny and are likely to be reduced or eliminated.


3. (C) Tsuji said he heard that Director General Larocco
might be considering a trip to Tokyo to press for Japanese
support in person, and said that he doubted a personal visit
would change the outcome.
SCHIEFFER