AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD MEETS WITH JAPANESE PERMREP

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000641

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD MEETS WITH JAPANESE PERMREP
TAKASU ON G8, SC REFORM, AFRICA AND OTHER REGIONAL ISSUES

Classified By: POLITICAL MINISTER COUNSELOR JEFF DELAURENTIS, FOR REASO
NS 1.4 B/D


1. (C) Summary: Ambassador Khalilzad met with Japanese
PermRep Takasu on July 16 as part of regularly scheduled
consultations. Takasu began with a review of the G8 Summit
and said Japan wanted to continue to discuss the issues
raised there in New York. He touted a September 24
high-level event on water and sanitation to be co-hosted by
the Japanese PM, and solicited high-level USG participation.
On Security Council reform, Takasu urged the U.S. not to
focus only on the work of the Open Ended Working Group
because the group operates on consensus and no country is
willing to reveal their compromise positions in this forum.
On North Korea, Takasu said sanctions should not be lifted
until there is broad progress on a number of different
issues. The Ambassador asked for Japanese assistance in
helping press for changes that SRSG for Afghanistan Kai Eide
would like to make in the structure and functioning of UNAMA.
Takasu agreed. Takasu and the Ambassador also discussed
Russian duplicity in supporting Zimbabwe sanctions at the G-8
and then opposing them in the Council. Takasu also asked for
Japan to be included in any AU-UN panel formed pursuant to
UNSCR 1809. End summary.

REVIEW OF G8 SUMMIT


2. (C) Ambassador Takasu shared his positive assessment of
the G8 summit outcomes pertaining to development, Africa and
climate change, noting that the U.S. and Japanese positions
were much closer than those of other G8 members. He also
touted the outcome of the Tokyo International Conference on
African Development, which he said featured more African
leaders than even African Union summits. Tokyo was pleased
with the G8's continuing focus on its own pledges to assist
Africa's development. On climate change, he said Japan was
similarly happy with both the G8 declaration and the outcome
of the Major Economies Meeting (MEM) process. Though neither
document went as far as some critics may have hoped, Takasu
said they were particularly successful in avoiding unhelpful
elements (particularly some EU proposals) that would have
been counter-productive. In light of the MEM decision to
meet again during the 2009 G8 summit, Takasu said he will
continue his tradition of hosting periodic G20 climate change
breakfasts for the remainder of the year.


3. (C) In the midst of high-level General Assembly events on
Africa and the Millennium Development Goals in September,
Takasu touted a September 24 high-level event to be co-hosted
by the Japanese PM, the Dutch crown prince and other heads of
government regarding water and sanitation. Takasu solicited
high-level USG participation. The Japanese PR also responded
positively to several U.S. proposals, including the
possibility of seeking UN action to promote the legal
empowerment of the poor, and possibly forming a new coalition
of UN members who share viewpoints on democracy. Ambassador
Khalilzad promised to follow-up with the Japanese on both
issues.

SECURITY COUNCIL REFORM


4. (C) Takasu said the time has come to move to the next
stage of Security Council reform. He asked that the U.S. not
block the initiative of GA President Kerim, and move beyond
supporting only the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG). Since
the OEWG operates on consensus, no one is willing to come
forward with compromise proposals, said Takasu. The
Ambassador said the U.S. supports Kerim,s seven-pillar
approach including intergovernmental negotiation within the
context of the OEWG. The U.S. would be able to move forward
on reform based on the following points: 1) new permanent
members were chosen based on contributions, not
representation; 2) a large expansion beyond the current 15
would be difficult for practical reasons; and 3) Security
Council reform could only occur in the context of overall UN
reform.

DPRK, AFGHANISTAN, BURMA


5. (C) On DPRK, Takasu said Japan believes there must be
parallel development of all outstanding issues, including the
abduction of Japanese citizens. Japan cannot accept the
lifting of sanctions without across-the-board progress. On
Afghanistan, the Ambassador urged Takasu to support SRSG
Eide,s restructuring proposals. Takasu agreed, and
suggested jointly approaching the Secretary-General on this
issue. On Burma, Takasu voiced concern that a proposed group
of interested Asian countries, including India, China and
Indonesia would not adequately pressure Burma, especially

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given the major commercial interests China and India have in
Burma.

AFRICA


6. (C) The Ambassador said concerned countries are pushing
the Secretary-General to appoint a UN envoy to Zimbabwe,
although there is continuing uncertainty regarding this
because of the lack of Security Council mandate. In regards
to the failed SC Resolution, Takasu said a meeting of
Political Directors during the G8 Summit ended with Russia
opposing a resolution. However, the topic returned during a
subsequent Heads of State meeting, and the Russian President
twice expressed clear support for a Zimbabwe resolution. On
Sudan/ICC, the Ambassador said the ICC prosecutor has given
himself room to change his mind or negotiate. In addition,
further action in the ICC is unlikely over the next two
months because of its summer recess. On the AU-UN panel
called for by UNSCR 1809 to consider modalities of helping
regional reacekeeping operations, Japan asked the U.S. to
keep in mind that Japan would like to serve on any such panel
that may be constituted.
Khalilzad