Secretary Clinton's March 31, 2009 Conversation

S E C R E T PARTO 040903 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 3/31/2019 TAGS: OVIP CASC PARM MNUC KNNP KN KS AF JA PK SUBJECT: Secretary Clinton's March 31, 2009 Conversation with Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Nakasone Classified by: Kenneth H. Merten, Deputy Executive Secretary, S/ES, Department of State. Reason 1.4.(d) ¶1. (U) March 31, 2009; 4:00 p.m.; The Hague, Netherlands. ¶2. (U) Participants: U.S. The Secretary A/S Richard Boucher Mr. Jacob Sullivan, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Secretary Lt. Gen Paul Selva, Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mr. Daniel King (Embassy Notetaker) Japan FM Nakasone Mr. Yoshikawa, Special Representative for Assistance to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Mr. Umemoto, DG North America Affairs Mr. Ishikawa, Deputy DG for Asia and Oceania Affairs Mr. Yamanouchi, Director, North America Affairs Mr. Takizaki, Minister's Private Secretary Mr. Yoshihiro, Interpreter, Deputy Director, Global Issues Cooperation Division ¶3. (C) SUMMARY. The Secretary and FM Nakasone agreed to seek a UN resolution if North Korea should launch a missile. FM Nakasone expressed strong support for the new U.S. Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy. END SUMMARY. -------------- North Korea -------------- ¶4. (S) The two leaders met on the margins of the March 31 Dutch-Afghan-UN conference in The Hague ("International Conference on Afghanistan: A Comprehensive Strategy in a Regional Context"). Nakasone began by thanking the Secretary for her clear statement that the United States would defend Japan, including with nuclear deterrence. The Secretary said that if North Korea's announced missile launch proceeds, Japan and the United States must stand together and strongly oppose it. The Secretary re-affirmed the U.S. commitment to a de-nuclearized Korean peninsula. ¶5. (S) Nakasone responded that Japan is "at a critical phase" with North Korea, and that if the Koreans proceed with the launch it will be "a violation of the UN Security Council resolution and will not be acceptable." Nakasone appreciated that the Secretary had said she would raise the matter at the UN if the launch occurs. Nakasone noted that countries like the UK oppose the launch, but that he would like to call on China and Russia to join in opposition. ¶6. (S) Nakasone said the six-party talks are facing difficulties. According to Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso, the credibility of the talks can only be maintained with a robust framework. Resumption of the talks will be difficult if North Korea proceeds with the launch. Nakasone said that Japan is aware of the U.S. proposal regarding the six-party talks and wants to cooperate closely on it. ¶7. (S) The Secretary replied that the United States shares Japan's concerns. De-nuclearization of the Korean peninsula is and should remain the primary goal of the six-party talks. It would be particularly fruitful for North Korea to get back into two working groups at the six-party talks: de-nuclearization and energy. This will be difficult, particularly considering North Korea's actions over the past few months. ¶8. (S) Naksone said that Japan favors the idea of emphasizing the two work groups and mentioned that energy assistance is a way of gaining leverage. The Secretary agreed but urged caution, mentioning that North Korea made commitments in 2005 which they have not adhered to. ¶9. (S) Nakasone concluded that the protocols for both stages of the nuclear disarmament verification process must be agreed to in advance as a package deal. He stated that before stage one begins, the content of stage two must be agreed upon. Otherwise, there is a strong possibility that North Korea will "get what it wants." The Secretary acknowledged how difficult and uncooperative North Korea can be, noting that even when the Korean reach an agreement they don't fulfill obligations. She said that "our goal is to get something for whatever we give." She expressed support for Japan's efforts on the issue of abductees. -------------- Afghanistan-Pakistan -------------- ¶10. (U) Nakasone reaffirmed Japan's strong support for cooperation in Afghanistan and praised President Obama's new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. "We think it will be effective if we build on each country's strengths and pool resources." He emphasized the need to coordinate and collaborate on our assistance efforts including the President's proposed Contact Group. ¶11. (U) The Secretary thanked Japan for its strong statement made in support of Afghanistan cooperation and for Japan agreeing to host the April 17 Pakistan Donors Conference in Tokyo. The U.S. aims to have a strong commitment in Tokyo, and SRAP Holbrooke will represent the United States. The Secretary also thanked the FM for Japan's commitment to pay six months of salaries for approximately eighty thousand Afghan police. The Japanese contribution gives the U.S. leverage to provide training and get other commitments of support. -------------- IAEA Vote -------------- ¶12. (C) Nakasone thanked the Secretary for U.S. support in the International Atomic Energy Agency Director General vote, despite Japan's candidate, Yukiya Amano, not being elected. The Secretary noted that it is "hard to predict elections" and that she hopes for a shift of votes and the emergence of a clear winner. -------------- Pledge to Support Iranian Diplomacy -------------- ¶13. (C) The Secretary told Nakasone the United States is open to diplomacy with Iran. The United States hopes Japan will use its contacts with Iran to reconfirm our messages. Nakasone pledged Japan's support. -------------- Hague Convention On Child Abduction -------------- ¶14. (U) The Secretary asked Japan to join the Hague Convention in an effort to combat child abduction. The Secretary explained that parents face great litigation difficulties regarding child custody when they separate and live in two different countries. She mentioned that in today's increasingly mobile world, more parents will live separately. Nakasone said that Japan is studying its participation the convention. CLINTON