JAPAN EXPLAINS VISIT BY BURMESE OFFICIAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 001997 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/J, EAP/MLS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2019 TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL BM JA SUBJECT: JAPAN EXPLAINS VISIT BY BURMESE OFFICIAL TOKYO 00001997 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission James P. Zumwalt for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Tokyo invited Burmese Agriculture Minister Htay Oo to Japan because of his "high standing" in the Burmese regime and his position as a central decisionmaker on agriculture policy, a key area of interest to Japanese aid policy planners, particularly in the continuing aftermath of Cylcone Nargis, MOFA explained to Embassy Tokyo August 28. Htay Oo received a "firm message" on the continued house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) and on Burma's ongoing relationship with North Korea during meetings with Japanese Foreign Minister (FM) Nakasone and Vice Foreign Minister (VFM) Yabunaka. MOFA's official statement on the visit follows the main text. END SUMMARY ¶2. (C) In an August 28 meeting, MOFA First Southeast Asia Division Director Keiichi Ono and Principal Deputy Director Shogo Yoshitake provided Embassy Tokyo a readout of Burmese Minister of Agriculture and Union Solidarity and Development Association Chair Htay Oo's visit to Japan on August 25. Japan had invited the Agriculture Minister because of his "high standing" in the Burmese regime and his position as a central decisionmaker on agriculture policy, a key area of interest to Japanese aid policy planners, particularly in the continuing aftermath of Cylcone Nargis. Japanese officials also have identified Htay Oo as an "up-and-comer" within the Burmese Government. He is young (59 years old),frank, and more "internationally minded" than some of his Burmese colleagues, Ono explained. For example, while many Burmese leaders are "afraid to mention ASSK's name," Htay Oo does not appear to have that "complex" and spoke openly about her, Ono said. ¶3. (C) Htay Oo received a "firm message" on the continued house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi during meetings with FM Nakasone and VFM Yabunaka, Ono said. Nakasone called on Burma to release ASSK as soon as possible and to hold fair and inclusive elections, slated for an heretofore undetermined time in 2010. Nakasone said that taking such measures would be of great benefit to the country of Burma, Ono reported. ¶4. (C) Japanese officials also encouraged continued vigilance on UNSC Resolution 1874 against North Korea. Ono lamented Burma's ongoing relationship with the North but highlighted Rangoon's firm response to the Kang Nam 1 case in July. ¶5. (C) Ono had little to report on Htay Oo's response but mentioned that Htay Oo saw the recent court ruling on ASSK as being consistent with Burmese law. The Agriculture Minister also took note of Japan's concerns about North Korea and the importance of UNSCR 1874 implementation, according to Ono. ¶6. (C) On the eve of Japan's own election, Ono offered his opinion on Burma policy implications if opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) assumes power. The DPJ might take a more hard-line approach, he said, considering that the party includes relatively junior members who perhaps do not harbor as much sympathy for Burma as the older generation of Japanese lawmakers, he observed. At any rate, Ono expected a slow foreign policymaking transition for an upstart DPJ administration. ¶7. (SBU) Ono alluded to the Foreign Ministry statement copied below: Begin Statement Statement on Meeting Between Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone and Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Htay Oo. On August 25, H.E. Mr. Hirofumi Nakasone, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held talks with H.E. Mr. Htay Oo, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation of the Union of Myanmar, for about 20 minutes. The outline of the meeting is as follows: ¶1. Minister Nakasone made the following statements: TOKYO 00001997 002.2 OF 002 (1) The Government of Japan welcomed Minister Htay Oo's first visit to Japan. (2) Japan is cooperating with Myanmar in the field of agriculture and continues assistance to areas affected by the cyclone. (3) Japan strongly expects Myanmar to proceed a democratization process with participation of all the parties concerned in order that general elections next year are welcomed by the international community. Japan takes note of the fact that the Government of Myanmar referred to the possible early release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Japan believes that swiftly taking such measures and allowing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to participate in the democratization process would be of great benefit to Myanmar, and has strong expectations regarding this matter. ¶2. In response, Minister Htay Oo made the following statements: (1) He was happy to realize his first visit to Japan. Japan and Myanmar have a traditional relationship of friendship, and the citizens of both countries are close as well. (2) Myanmar is grateful for the large amount of assistance received from the Government of Japan for damages caused by Cyclone Nargis in 2008. (3) Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was dealt with the law, and Mr. Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC),has reduced her sentence. Myanmar believes that her early release will be possible if Daw Aung San Suu Kyi leads an honest life. End Statement ROOS