Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO1131
2009-05-19 05:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER TELEPHONES BURMESE
how-toVZCZCXRO7595 OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHFK RUEHHM RUEHKSO RUEHNH RUEHPB DE RUEHKO #1131 1390558 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 190558Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3047 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHZU/ASIAN PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION PRIORITY RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA PRIORITY 4054 RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA PRIORITY 6384 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE PRIORITY 7856 RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO PRIORITY 4585 RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI PRIORITY 7337 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 5111 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/USFJ PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001131
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM BM JA
SUBJECT: JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER TELEPHONES BURMESE
COUNTERPART
REF: TOKYO 1103
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Jim Zumwalt for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001131
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM BM JA
SUBJECT: JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER TELEPHONES BURMESE
COUNTERPART
REF: TOKYO 1103
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Jim Zumwalt for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: In a first-ever telephone call by a Japanese
Foreign Minister to his Burmese counterpart, Foreign Minister
Nakasone May 18 telephoned Burmese Foreign Minister U Nyan
Win to express Japan's "deep concern" about the case against
Aung San Suu Kyi. MOFA had already called in the Burmese
Ambassador to Tokyo to register concern (ref.) Japan's main
message to Burma is that it hopes the process of
democratization will be advanced at an early time in a manner
that involves all parties, including San Suu Kyi. END
SUMMARY.
2. (U) Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone May 18
telephoned Burmese Foreign Minister U Nyan Win to express
Japan's "deep concerns" about the recent charges brought
against Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK),according to a press release
issued by MOFA. Nakasone told Win the charges against ASSK
would have a "grave effect on the views of countries
concerned" regarding Burma and its upcoming general
elections. He said that everyone knows ASSK has been ill and
that humanitarian concerns should be considered.
Acknowledging that the ASSK case is a domestic issue being
addressed by the courts, Nakasone nevertheless urged Win that
Burma should act in an appropriate way taking into account
the views of the international community. He noted that this
is an extremely important time for democracy in Burma and
said it would behoove Burma if the democratization process is
advanced in a manner that will be held in high regard by the
international community.
3. (U) According to the press release, Win replied that he
understood the points made by Nakasone, but that the question
at hand was one of domestic law that will be decided by a
special court. He maintained that ASSK and the Amcit
involved are in good health and that a "special group" of
doctors is attending them. He concluded that his government
is making efforts to have good relations with countries like
Japan, the United States, and European countries and that he
would convey Nakasone's message to Burma's leadership.
4. (C) According to MOFA Southeast Asia Division official
Shogo Yoshitake, Nakasone's call to Win was the first time a
Japanese Foreign Minister has ever called his Burmese
counterpart. This fact alone, he said, should highlight
Japan's concern about the situation. He noted that Japan's
first reaction came on Friday, May 15, when MOFA Southeast
and Southwest Asian Affairs Department Director General
Hiroshi Inomata called in the Burmese Ambassador to Tokyo,
Hla Mynt, to lodge a protest and express Japan's deep
concern. (Ref.) Yoshitake said that it is unknown whether
FM Nakasone will attend the upcoming ASEM meeting in Hanoi,
but if he does, he will seek a meeting with the Burmese to
press this point further. Japan's main message is that it
hopes the process of democratization in Burma will be
advanced at an early time in a manner that involves all
parties, including ASSK.
ZUMWALT
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM BM JA
SUBJECT: JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER TELEPHONES BURMESE
COUNTERPART
REF: TOKYO 1103
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Jim Zumwalt for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: In a first-ever telephone call by a Japanese
Foreign Minister to his Burmese counterpart, Foreign Minister
Nakasone May 18 telephoned Burmese Foreign Minister U Nyan
Win to express Japan's "deep concern" about the case against
Aung San Suu Kyi. MOFA had already called in the Burmese
Ambassador to Tokyo to register concern (ref.) Japan's main
message to Burma is that it hopes the process of
democratization will be advanced at an early time in a manner
that involves all parties, including San Suu Kyi. END
SUMMARY.
2. (U) Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone May 18
telephoned Burmese Foreign Minister U Nyan Win to express
Japan's "deep concerns" about the recent charges brought
against Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK),according to a press release
issued by MOFA. Nakasone told Win the charges against ASSK
would have a "grave effect on the views of countries
concerned" regarding Burma and its upcoming general
elections. He said that everyone knows ASSK has been ill and
that humanitarian concerns should be considered.
Acknowledging that the ASSK case is a domestic issue being
addressed by the courts, Nakasone nevertheless urged Win that
Burma should act in an appropriate way taking into account
the views of the international community. He noted that this
is an extremely important time for democracy in Burma and
said it would behoove Burma if the democratization process is
advanced in a manner that will be held in high regard by the
international community.
3. (U) According to the press release, Win replied that he
understood the points made by Nakasone, but that the question
at hand was one of domestic law that will be decided by a
special court. He maintained that ASSK and the Amcit
involved are in good health and that a "special group" of
doctors is attending them. He concluded that his government
is making efforts to have good relations with countries like
Japan, the United States, and European countries and that he
would convey Nakasone's message to Burma's leadership.
4. (C) According to MOFA Southeast Asia Division official
Shogo Yoshitake, Nakasone's call to Win was the first time a
Japanese Foreign Minister has ever called his Burmese
counterpart. This fact alone, he said, should highlight
Japan's concern about the situation. He noted that Japan's
first reaction came on Friday, May 15, when MOFA Southeast
and Southwest Asian Affairs Department Director General
Hiroshi Inomata called in the Burmese Ambassador to Tokyo,
Hla Mynt, to lodge a protest and express Japan's deep
concern. (Ref.) Yoshitake said that it is unknown whether
FM Nakasone will attend the upcoming ASEM meeting in Hanoi,
but if he does, he will seek a meeting with the Burmese to
press this point further. Japan's main message is that it
hopes the process of democratization in Burma will be
advanced at an early time in a manner that involves all
parties, including ASSK.
ZUMWALT