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 USUN NEW Y 00000641 002 OF 002 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