JAPAN'S VIEWS ON NICARAGUAN ELECTIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 003217 SIPDIS WHA/CEN FOR A. KRAAIMOORE E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/21/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV JA NU SUBJECT: JAPAN'S VIEWS ON NICARAGUAN ELECTIONS REF: STATE 122262 Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer. Reasons 1.4 (B) (D) ¶1. (C) On November 21, Embassy Tokyo political officer delivered reftel demarche regarding the Nicaraguan municipal elections to MOFA Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Division Principal Deputy Director Noritsugu Takahashi. Takahasi, who said Japanese officials had already noted remarks made by a United States government spokesperson, described the position as "clear and straight-forward." Tokyo agrees with the United States view "with regard to basics and tone-setting," however the "main point is how to do it - how to make it happen," he observed. ¶2. (C) Japan agrees with the concepts laid out in the Declaracion de la Mesa de Cooperantes, Takahashi continued. Two main principles of Tokyo's approach to Nicaragua are: a) non-interference in Nicaragua's internal politics, and b) promoting Nicaraguan democracy. Japanese officials would find it difficult to violate those principles and at the same time are looking to ways to "balance" the two. ¶3. (C) According to Takahashi, "Japan's behavior would follow the majority view established by the major donors." The Japanese government understands the United States plans to work with involved organizations to craft an international "voice" on Nicaragua. He concluded Japan would more likely be willing to follow the United States lead. SCHIEFFER