Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO1991
2009-08-31 01:33:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
how-toVZCZCXRO4586 RR RUEHDT RUEHPB DE RUEHKO #1991 2430133 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 310133Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5829 INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 6688 RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 8507 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 9984 RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 6175 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHMFISS/USFJ RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC RUEATRS/TREASURY DEPT WASHDC RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 6996
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001991
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/26/2019
TAGS: PREL KNSD PARM KN JA
SUBJECT: GOLDBERG-SAIKI LUNCH
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission James P. Zumwalt for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001991
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/26/2019
TAGS: PREL KNSD PARM KN JA
SUBJECT: GOLDBERG-SAIKI LUNCH
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission James P. Zumwalt for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: During an August 25 lunch hosted by MOFA
Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director General Akitaka
Saiki, Ambassador Philip Goldberg described UNSCR 1874 as
having a positive impact on North Korean behavior. Both
Ambassador Goldberg and DG Saiki noted the apparent easing of
tensions between North and South Korea. MOFA officials
reported that South Korean President Lee Myung Bak is
stressing the importance of U.S.-Japan-South Korean
coordination and the need to approach the North's current
"smile diplomacy" carefully. On Chinese Vice Foreign
Minister Wu Dawei's recent visit to North Korea, Saiki
reported that North Korean officials told Wu that Pyongyang
wants bilateral discussions with the United States and has no
interest in returning to Six-Party talks. END SUMMARY
2. (C) Ambassador Philip Goldberg and DG Saiki exchanged
views on North Korea and on implementation of UNSC Resolution
1874 during lunch on August 25. The Ambassador described the
sanctions resolution as having a positive impact on North
Korean behavior. UN members are working well to enforce the
resolution. Saiki said that a proposed trip to the Middle
East by Ambassador Goldberg was a good idea, citing the
challenges posed by countries, such as Syria and Iran, that
maintain military relations with the North.
3. (C) Ambassador Goldberg and DG Saiki noted the apparent
easing of tensions between North and South Korea through
developments such as the possible resumption of family
reunions and the DPRK delegation's attendance at Kim Dae
Jung's funeral. Seoul is currently debating how far to
pursue engagement without undermining resolution 1874, while
at the same time taking into account political demands for
improved ties, Ambassador Goldberg and DG Saiki observed.
Seoul and Pyongyang continue to undergo a "feeling out"
process, the Ambassador added.
4. (C) Reflecting on his trip with former Japanese Speaker of
the Lower House Yohei Kono to Kim's funeral, MOFA Northeast
Asia Division Director Junji Shimada mentioned that South
Korean President Lee Myung Bak was "cautious" in his comments
on the North during his meeting with Kono and that Lee did
not elaborate on the content of meetings with North Korean
envoys. Lee did stress the importance of U.S.-Japan-South
Korean cooperation and underscored the importance of
approaching the North's current "smile diplomacy" carefully.
On rumors of a North-South Summit, Goldberg and Saiki agreed
that the idea seems to be speculation for now.
5. (C) Saiki also offered his views on Chinese Vice Foreign
Minister and Six-Party Talks Chairman Wu Dawei's recent visit
to North Korea. North Korean officials told Wu that
Pyongyang wants bilateral talks with Washington and has no
interest in returning to Six-Party talks. Saiki emphasized
the importance of coordinating and sharing information on
Wu's trip, considering that Chinese officials insist on
briefing concerned parties separately and not together.
ROOS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/26/2019
TAGS: PREL KNSD PARM KN JA
SUBJECT: GOLDBERG-SAIKI LUNCH
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission James P. Zumwalt for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: During an August 25 lunch hosted by MOFA
Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director General Akitaka
Saiki, Ambassador Philip Goldberg described UNSCR 1874 as
having a positive impact on North Korean behavior. Both
Ambassador Goldberg and DG Saiki noted the apparent easing of
tensions between North and South Korea. MOFA officials
reported that South Korean President Lee Myung Bak is
stressing the importance of U.S.-Japan-South Korean
coordination and the need to approach the North's current
"smile diplomacy" carefully. On Chinese Vice Foreign
Minister Wu Dawei's recent visit to North Korea, Saiki
reported that North Korean officials told Wu that Pyongyang
wants bilateral discussions with the United States and has no
interest in returning to Six-Party talks. END SUMMARY
2. (C) Ambassador Philip Goldberg and DG Saiki exchanged
views on North Korea and on implementation of UNSC Resolution
1874 during lunch on August 25. The Ambassador described the
sanctions resolution as having a positive impact on North
Korean behavior. UN members are working well to enforce the
resolution. Saiki said that a proposed trip to the Middle
East by Ambassador Goldberg was a good idea, citing the
challenges posed by countries, such as Syria and Iran, that
maintain military relations with the North.
3. (C) Ambassador Goldberg and DG Saiki noted the apparent
easing of tensions between North and South Korea through
developments such as the possible resumption of family
reunions and the DPRK delegation's attendance at Kim Dae
Jung's funeral. Seoul is currently debating how far to
pursue engagement without undermining resolution 1874, while
at the same time taking into account political demands for
improved ties, Ambassador Goldberg and DG Saiki observed.
Seoul and Pyongyang continue to undergo a "feeling out"
process, the Ambassador added.
4. (C) Reflecting on his trip with former Japanese Speaker of
the Lower House Yohei Kono to Kim's funeral, MOFA Northeast
Asia Division Director Junji Shimada mentioned that South
Korean President Lee Myung Bak was "cautious" in his comments
on the North during his meeting with Kono and that Lee did
not elaborate on the content of meetings with North Korean
envoys. Lee did stress the importance of U.S.-Japan-South
Korean cooperation and underscored the importance of
approaching the North's current "smile diplomacy" carefully.
On rumors of a North-South Summit, Goldberg and Saiki agreed
that the idea seems to be speculation for now.
5. (C) Saiki also offered his views on Chinese Vice Foreign
Minister and Six-Party Talks Chairman Wu Dawei's recent visit
to North Korea. North Korean officials told Wu that
Pyongyang wants bilateral talks with Washington and has no
interest in returning to Six-Party talks. Saiki emphasized
the importance of coordinating and sharing information on
Wu's trip, considering that Chinese officials insist on
briefing concerned parties separately and not together.
ROOS