SECRETARY CLINTON'S LETTER TO FOREIGN MINISTER OKADA

UNCLAS STATE 122645 SIPDIS COMMERCE PASS TO NOAA WHITE HOUSE PASS TO CEQ E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC PREL SENV IWC SUBJECT: SECRETARY CLINTON'S LETTER TO FOREIGN MINISTER OKADA ¶1. (U) Please deliver the following message from Secretary Clinton to Japanese Foreign Minister Okada. There will be no signed original. ¶2. (U) BEGIN TEXT: Dear Mr. Minister: I am writing to request your cooperation in resolving issues that are pending before the International Whaling Commission (IWC). The IWC has not functioned effectively for years due to the polarized views of its members. Conflicts within the IWC have increasingly undermined its effectiveness and have become difficult for our two governments. Although previous efforts to resolve the conflicts within the organization have not succeeded, the United States believes an opportunity currently exists that may not exist in future years. Most recently, a small Support Group of member nations, including Japan and the United States, met in October 2009 in Santiago, Chile. The United States supports the emerging agreement that would set overall whale catches at a reduced level while longer-term negotiations continue. We nevertheless recognize that work remains to be done to bridge remaining differences on key issues. Although all IWC members will ultimately share responsibility for the success or failure of this process, the approach Japan takes in the immediate future will have a major impact on the likelihood of success. The United States strongly urges Japan to join with other IWC members who have shown a willingness to compromise in the short term in order to reach the long-term goal of a normalized IWC. The United States is hopeful that we will be able to find common ground on this issue such that the IWC may move forward towards the development of a consensus agreement. In particular, I urge your government to engage in substantive discussions on your lethal research whaling program to facilitate a resolution of this matter very soon. In the context of a comprehensive set of reforms of the IWC, the United States is prepared to consider an arrangement within the IWC that provides international recognition of Japan's sustainable, small-type, coastal whaling practices, provided Japan's reduction in overall catch levels are meaningful and represent a significant reduction in whales taken over the period of the agreement. This issue has historically been difficult for our two nations. If we can resolve this long-standing difficult issue, both of our governments stand to benefit. We look forward to working closely with your government over the coming months to develop a consensus solution. Sincerely yours, Hillary Rodham Clinton End text. CLINTON