Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO1388
2009-06-19 06:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
JAPAN'S POSITION ON MIDDLE EAST DESALINATION AND
how-toVZCZCXYZ0003 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHKO #1388 1700611 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 190611Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3898 INFO RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 0382 RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 1652 RUEHDO/AMEMBASSY DOHA 0289 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 2446 RUEHMS/AMEMBASSY MUSCAT 0023 RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 1287 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 6537 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 5990 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0789 RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 1108 RUEHVL/AMEMBASSY VILNIUS 0162 RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 0392 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001388
SIPDIS
NEA/RA - LOUISE MARIEGAARD AND CONSTANCE ARVIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2019
TAGS: TSPL PREL MU XF JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN'S POSITION ON MIDDLE EAST DESALINATION AND
RESEARCH CENTER
REF: SECSTATE 63309
Classified By: EMIN ROBERT F. CEKUTA FOR REASONS 1.4(B),(D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001388
SIPDIS
NEA/RA - LOUISE MARIEGAARD AND CONSTANCE ARVIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2019
TAGS: TSPL PREL MU XF JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN'S POSITION ON MIDDLE EAST DESALINATION AND
RESEARCH CENTER
REF: SECSTATE 63309
Classified By: EMIN ROBERT F. CEKUTA FOR REASONS 1.4(B),(D)
1. (C) The GOJ fully supports the goals of the Middle East
Desalination Research Center (MEDRC),but would like to see
it providing more tangible results, Foreign Ministry First
Middle East Division Principal Deputy Director Akihiro Tsuji
told econoff June 19. Tsuji said a lack of clearly defined
metrics makes it difficult to build support for funding the
organization within the GOJ, given the constraints on the
amounts of available funding and the large number of projects
worldwide. The GOJ, therefore, would have a difficult time
committing to a proposed mandatory contribution.
2. (C) Tsuji said he is "puzzled" by the lack of
participation in MEDRC from European Union members, which
withdrew from the MEDRC in 2003, as well as by Russia, given
the countries' roles in the Middle East Peace Process. He
suggested approaching such countries as Germany, the UK, and
France as well as Norway to encourage involvement in MEDRC.
Still, he cautioned, MEDRC would need to define better its
accomplishments as well as set out realistic plans for
reducing expenditures in order to attract additional
participation. He added the GOJ supports MEDRC's
capacity-building efforts, but the center should focus more
on training programs in the region as opposed to scholarships
to study overseas.
3. (U) Tsuji, who will represent Japan at the June 22
Executive Council meeting in Muscat, said he is eager to
discuss these issues with the U.S. team before the meeting.
ZUMWALT
SIPDIS
NEA/RA - LOUISE MARIEGAARD AND CONSTANCE ARVIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2019
TAGS: TSPL PREL MU XF JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN'S POSITION ON MIDDLE EAST DESALINATION AND
RESEARCH CENTER
REF: SECSTATE 63309
Classified By: EMIN ROBERT F. CEKUTA FOR REASONS 1.4(B),(D)
1. (C) The GOJ fully supports the goals of the Middle East
Desalination Research Center (MEDRC),but would like to see
it providing more tangible results, Foreign Ministry First
Middle East Division Principal Deputy Director Akihiro Tsuji
told econoff June 19. Tsuji said a lack of clearly defined
metrics makes it difficult to build support for funding the
organization within the GOJ, given the constraints on the
amounts of available funding and the large number of projects
worldwide. The GOJ, therefore, would have a difficult time
committing to a proposed mandatory contribution.
2. (C) Tsuji said he is "puzzled" by the lack of
participation in MEDRC from European Union members, which
withdrew from the MEDRC in 2003, as well as by Russia, given
the countries' roles in the Middle East Peace Process. He
suggested approaching such countries as Germany, the UK, and
France as well as Norway to encourage involvement in MEDRC.
Still, he cautioned, MEDRC would need to define better its
accomplishments as well as set out realistic plans for
reducing expenditures in order to attract additional
participation. He added the GOJ supports MEDRC's
capacity-building efforts, but the center should focus more
on training programs in the region as opposed to scholarships
to study overseas.
3. (U) Tsuji, who will represent Japan at the June 22
Executive Council meeting in Muscat, said he is eager to
discuss these issues with the U.S. team before the meeting.
ZUMWALT