JAPAN PROPOSING TRILATERAL TRACK II DIALOGUE ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 001394 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/J E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/19/2019 TAGS: PREL ENRG RS JA SUBJECT: JAPAN PROPOSING TRILATERAL TRACK II DIALOGUE ON RUSSIA TOKYO 00001394 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: CDA James P. Zumwalt for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Tokyo would like to restart Track II discussions, dormant since the mid 1990s, among the United States, Japan, and Russia to learn more about Russia,s "intentions" behind its growing security and energy interest in the Asia-Pacific region. Washington and Tokyo should encourage Russia to play a "constructive role", MOFA's Russia Division told U.S. Embassy Tokyo June 15. MOFA would like U.S. endorsement of the Track II proposal before broaching the idea to visiting Secretary General of the Russian Presidency Sergei Naryshkin on June 21. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Tokyo wants to restart Track II discussions, dormant since the mid-1990s, among the United States, Japan, and Russia to determine Russia's "intentions" behind its growing security and energy outreach and interest in the Asia-Pacific region, MOFA's Russia Division Director Akira Muto told Political Minister-Counselor Meserve on June 15. As a Track II initiative, the dialogue would involve academics, area specialists, and former government officials. Tokyo would provide funding for most of the project, Muto reported. ¶3. (C) Japan is still looking for endorsements from Washington and Moscow on the proposal, but MOFA would like a U.S. statement of support before conveying the idea to visiting Secretary General of the Russian Presidency Sergei Naryshkin on June 21, Muto said. Japan's Embassy in Washington is relaying the same message to the Department, he added. Meserve noted the importance of raising nuclear non-proliferation as a topic during the discussions, particularly considering President Obama's emphasis on the subject. ¶4. (C) A copy of MOFA's concept paper on the Track II proposal follows: Japan-U.S.-Russia Trilateral Conference on Asia-Pacific Security Time and Venue The first conference is to be held by the end of March 2010 in Washington D.C. The second conference is to he held in Moscow, and the third in Tokyo. Organizations Center for Strategic and International Studies Japan Institute for International Affairs Institute of World Economy and International Relations Discussion Items Participants of the conference have to report to the governments of the three countries in writing on a) the significance of the forum, b) items to be discussed in the forum, and c) content of discussion and conclusion. Concerning (b),the following items should be discussed: --Threat to security in Asia-Pacific -current status of military and security policy of the States in the region -non-traditional threats (terrorism, WMD proliferation, piracy, etc.) --Ways to reduce threats in Asia-Pacific Region -security policy of Japan, U.S., and Russia -current status of bilateral, trilateral, and multilateral cooperation -others --Other challenges to security (including cooperation on energy and food security, infectious diseases) ¶5. (C) Russian interest in the Asia-Pacific region is increasing, Muto observed. The integration of former Soviet states into NATO and competing energy demands with China, in particular, are compelling Moscow to diversify energy resources and supply routes. Muto highlighted Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's public remarks in January 2009, when he said that Russia was already building an oil pipeline to the Pacific and a gas pipeline to China. Russia is TOKYO 00001394 002.2 OF 002 committed to boosting its energy sector despite the current financial crisis, Muto noted. Russia is also aiming to increase its security presence. Muto cited territorial encroachments by Russian military assets, among other items. ¶6. (C) Japan's policy toward Russia is to build a "strategically important relationship" and encourage Russia to play a constructive role in the region. Japan is aiming for a final solution to the longstanding dispute over the Northern Territories and is somewhat encouraged by Putin's visit to Japan last month and by President Dmitry Medvedev's readiness to discuss the issue in detail during the scheduled bilateral summit meeting at next month's G-8 Summit, Muto concluded. ZUMWALT