PAKISTAN DONOR'S CONFERENCE: JAPAN SEEKS FURTHER

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 003382 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/PB E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/12/2018 TAGS: EAID ECON EFIN IBRD PREL IMF PK JA SUBJECT: PAKISTAN DONOR'S CONFERENCE: JAPAN SEEKS FURTHER CONSULTATIONS REF: STATE 124618 Classified By: DCM James P. Zumwalt per 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) Japan strongly supports Pakistan and recognizes that the country has significant financial needs, MOFA Southwest Asia Division Deputy Director Aya Yoshida told Embassy Tokyo December 12. Furthermore, Japan wants to play a leadership role in assistance to both Pakistan and Afghanistan, she stressed. However, Japan does not believe that the timing of a donors conference prior to the U.S. inauguration is "appropriate." MOFA officials, including VFM Yabunaka, discussed this matter at length on December 12, and MOFA is concerned that such "early timing" would not allow Pakistan enough time to prioritize its $55 billion wish list (from the UAE meeting) to match the $4 billion donors' goal, Yoshida said. Pakistan's "difficult political situation" also complicates this prioritization process, she added. ¶2. (C) Japan would like to be able to send its Foreign Minister to the donors conference, but is concerned that he may not be able to attend in January because of the Diet's debate on the second supplementary budget, Yoshida continued. Southwest Asia DG Inomata will meet A/S Boucher on December 17 and would like to take the opportunity to discuss in greater detail its position on this conference and, more broadly, its thoughts on Pakistan and Afghanistan assistance, Yoshida said. ¶3. (C) The Ambassador will follow up with VFM Yabunaka on December 15. SCHIEFFER