Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PARTO40903
2009-04-09 20:43:00
SECRET
US Delegation, Secretary
Cable title:  

Secretary Clinton's March 31, 2009 Conversation

Tags:  OVIP CASC PARM MNUC KNNP KN KS AF JA PK 
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DE RUCNAI #0003/01 0992043
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 092043Z APR 09
FM USDEL SECRETARY//EUROPE//
TO RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE IMMEDIATE
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO IMMEDIATE
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL IMMEDIATE
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)

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