GOJ STRATEGY FOR IAEA ELECTION; REQUEST FOR

S E C R E T TOKYO 001193

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR D(S),P, T, IO, ISN, EAP/J
DOE FOR NA-20
NSC FOR CONNERY
NRC FOR DOANE, SCHWARTZMAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/26/2034
TAGS: PARM ENRG TRGY PUNE IAEA JA
SUBJECT: GOJ STRATEGY FOR IAEA ELECTION; REQUEST FOR
COMMENT ON CHINA AND RUSSIA

REF: A. VIENNA 209

B. STATE 46302

C. VIENNA 189

Classified By: EMIN Robert F. Cekuta, Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)


1. (U) Please note action request contained in para 5.


2. (SBU) The GOJ is aware of and greatly appreciates U.S.
advocacy on behalf of its candidate for International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General, according to Ministry
of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Non-proliferation, Science, and
Nuclear Energy Division Deputy Director Naoto Ito. Econoff
met with Ito and Special Assistant Toshio Kaneko May 22 to
discuss the ongoing campaign for IAEA Director General and
Japan's efforts on behalf of its candidate Ambassador Yukiya
Amano.


3. (S) Ito briefly outlined Japan's thinking regarding
election dynamics. The GOJ expects Ernest Petric and
Jean-Pol Poncelet will be eliminated early. In discussing
the three-way race that would then ensue, he said Japan has
become concerned about dynamics within the EU and the
possible challenge that Luis Echavarri could pose to Amano.
Given this situation, the GOJ now hopes to see Echavarri
eliminated from the race, leaving Amano to face off against
Minty once again. To this end, the GOJ has begun focusing
efforts on countries supporting Echavarri.


4. (S) According to Ito, because the U.S. has stressed the
importance of Japanese engagement at high levels with
Minty-supporting countries such as Brazil and India, MOFA is
drafting a list of high-level GOJ demarches to share with the
USG via the Japanese Embassy in Washington. The constraints
the Diet schedule put on travel by the PM and Foreign
Minister may rule out or severely limit visits by these top
officials to other capitals, but MOFA is working to see what
trips may be possible. The Foreign Ministry is also engaging
METI, the science ministry (MEXT),and the Cabinet Office in
the lobbying campaign.


5. (S) Ito provided a list of countries he said Japan has
asked the U.S. to approach regarding Amano's candidacy. The
list includes the UK, Germany, Mexico, Ireland, Romania,
China, Russia, Argentina, Brazil, India, and Saudi Arabia.
Ito noted the GOJ welcomes all USG engagement with
governments in support of Amano, but said the above list is
focused on those where USG approaches are the most important.
He specifically noted the inclusion of Russia and China in
the list and made a special request regarding the two
countries. Approaching their governments may be more
delicate, he said, because of concern that a strong approach
would foster the impression that "Japan belongs to the U.S."
Ito requested thoughts from the USG on whether it is a good
idea for Japan to request continued U.S. support in
demarching Russia and China. Action request: Embassy would
appreciate points to use in response to Ito's request.
ZUMWALT