JAPAN UNDECIDED ON SYRIAN-IAEA COOPERATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 003395 SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR ISN/RA JODY DANIEL AND BRECK HEIDLEBERG E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/09/2018 TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM IAEA TRGY JA SUBJECT: JAPAN UNDECIDED ON SYRIAN-IAEA COOPERATION PROJECT; SUGGESTS POSSIBLE TRANSPARENCY GAINS REF: SECSTATE 127578 Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Econoff delivered demarche contained in reftel to Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) International Nuclear Cooperation Deputy Director Shoichi Nagayoshi and Non-proliferation, Science, and Nuclear Energy Division action officer for Syria Shingo Ito December 9. In response, Nagayoshi noted the GoJ has not yet formulated an official position on this issue. During the meeting, he frequently referred to his notes and said that "reality is moving faster than we (MOFA) are on this issue." ¶2. (C) Nagayoshi made one comment regarding Japan's deliberations on the issue that appears to be at odds with the U.S. position. He noted that MOFA, after consulting with Japan's mission to the IAEA, sees a possible benefit from IAEA cooperation with Syria. Specifically, assistance could provide the international community greater insight into the internal workings of Syria's program. In response to Econoff's reftel-directed comments urging non-support of the project, he noted several times this was only a "preliminary observation" and the GoJ would take U.S. concerns into account when formulating its policy. ¶3. (C) Nagayoshi promised to inform us if the GoJ takes an official position on supporting the Syrian project. Also, as has generally been the case after we deliver non-proliferation related demarches, Nagayoshi asked what reactions we have received from other states receiving the demarche. Econoff told him we had no information to share on that topic at this time. SCHIEFFER