JAPAN UNDECIDED ON U.N. SENIOR CIVILIAN FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000070 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/A BRADLEY E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/09/2018 TAGS: PREL NATO AF JA SUBJECT: JAPAN UNDECIDED ON U.N. SENIOR CIVILIAN FOR AFGHANISTAN AND TERMS OF REFERENCE REF: STATE 1001 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Joe Dononvan for reasons 1.4(b) and (d ) ¶1. (C) Embassy Tokyo Political Officer met January 8 with MOFA Second Middle East Division Principal Deputy Director Motosada Matano and Afghanistan desk officer Shizuka Morita to share reftel Terms of Reference and to advise of our strong support for the UK's Lord Paddy Ashdown to fill the position of U.N. Senior Civilian for Afghanistan. Matano, who undertook to pass the information to MOFA's U.N. Policy Division, said he was aware of this process but thought things seemed to be moving very quickly. He said the French had demarched on the same subject in November, but that there were several candidates for the job at that time. He continued that Japan agrees upon the need for strong leadership and a mechanism to avoid duplication of efforts but said he wanted to know more about why we are supporting Ashdown and more about the parameters of this new position's responsibilities. ¶2. (C) Political Officer replied we are supporting Lord Ashdown because he is a high-profile, senior-level European political figure who can leverage personal prestige and relationships to mobilize resources and enhance political will among international donors, and because he enjoys the international stature needed to succeed in the position and has access to top-level decision makers throughout the international community. In addition, his experience as High Commissioner in Bosnia gives him extensive and vital experience in marshaling international efforts in a high-profile, multi-national operation. Matano was also informed that in addition to the United States, Lord Ashdown is also supported by the UK, France, and Canada. With regard to the scope of the Senior Civilian's jurisdiction, Political Officer encouraged Matano to closely examine the Terms of Reference to better understand the range of duties and activities this person will have responsibility over. ¶3. (C) Matano said he would share the information with other relevant bureaus at MOFA and that further questions would be addressed through the Japanese Mission to the U.N. DONOVAN