JAPAN MAY RECOGNIZE KOSOVO WITHIN WEEKS, AID

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000569 SIPDIS SIPDIS USAID FOR E&E/AA/DMENARCHIK AND ODP NNICHOLSON E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2018 TAGS: EAID EFIN EINV JA PREL XG SUBJECT: JAPAN MAY RECOGNIZE KOSOVO WITHIN WEEKS, AID FUNDING UNCERTAIN REF: STATE 18802 Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) Japanese recognition of Kosovo is likely "a matter of weeks, not months," Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Central and South Eastern European Division Deputy Director Akihiko Ishimoto told Emboffs February 28. Japan currently has a diplomatic mission in Kosovo to determine whether the country has met all the requirements for recognition, Ishimoto said. He cited governmental control over the claimed territory as an example of those requirements. The mission will meet with USG representatives and Kosovo authorities while there. Ishimoto stated MOFA's international legal affairs bureau is currently reviewing statehood documents to ensure they comply with international law. Assuming all requirements are met, the Cabinet will approve recognition, Ishimoto said. Ishimoto wondered, however, how Kosovo could have diplomatic relations with foreign governments without first establishing a foreign ministry. ¶2. (SBU) Ishimoto noted the GOJ received a similar "Kosovo Needs Table" to the one provided reftel at a technical meeting hosted by the World Bank and the European Commission in October 2007. He also confirmed Japanese "embassy personnel" at the March 5 technical meeting in Brussels. Ishimoto stated Japan has supplied technical assistance to Kosovo for many years by providing medical equipment and educational materials through the United Nations. In addition, Japan has hosted approximately 10 persons from Kosovo per year as "trainees" at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Ishimoto was hesitant, however, to discuss what type of further assistance, if any, Japan may provide given its declining aid budget. ¶3. (SBU) Comment. Japan's ODA budget has declined nearly 40% over the past 10 years. Given its hosting of the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV) in May, the GOJ is focusing its reduced resources on Africa, in addition to traditional recipients in Southeast Asia, leaving little hope for a significant additional contribution to Kosovo. End Comment. SCHIEFFER