AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER TALKS CLIMATE CHANGE,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 002902 NOFORN SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/J, EEB, OES AND OES/OA E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2019 TAGS: PREL PARM PGOV ETRD PINR AS JA SUBJECT: AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER TALKS CLIMATE CHANGE, DISARMAMENT, FTA, AND WHALING IN TOKYO Classified By: DCM James P. Zumwalt, reasons 1.4 b and d ¶1. (C/NF) Summary: Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd focused on climate change, but discussed disarmament, the Japan-Australia FTA, and whaling during his talks with Prime Minister Hatoyama and others in Tokyo December 15, according to the Australian Ambassador to Japan and the MOFA Director General for Asia. While the climate change discussion was described as "nothing new" or already dated, on whaling each side staked out firm positions with Rudd saying legal action could follow if diplomacy fails and Hatoyama asking for Australia to pursue legal action against the environmental NGO Sea Shepherd. Rudd said he hopes for a quick conclusion to FTA talks and Hatoyama said Japanese agricultural reform would be a positive element in the talks. On regional architecture, Rudd agreed with Foreign Minister Okada's suggestion that his proposed Asia Pacific Community include the United States, although Rudd's body language left the role of ASEAN in an APC in doubt. Both leaders agreed to work closely to ensure success of the 2010 NPT RevCon and President Obama's Nuclear Security Summit. Rudd asked for Japan's support for further action on Iran regarding its nuclear program, but was disappointed with Hatoyama's reply that he has faith the U.S. and Iran will solve their differences. End summary. ¶2. (C/NF) Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd spent a good deal of his time discussing climate change in meetings with Prime Minister Hatoyama and Foreign Minister Okada in Tokyo December 15, according to Australian Ambassador to Japan Murray McLean. McLean did not dwell on the climate change discussion when he briefed the DCM on the visit December 17, saying anything Rudd said already would be outdated by the fast moving events in Copenhagen. In fact, Rudd cut short his trip to Japan to arrive earlier in Copenhagen, according to McLean. McLean also did not elaborate on the discussions on whaling between the two leaders, except to say Rudd made it clear that if a diplomatic solution cannot be reached, Australia would have to take legal action. During the meeting the DCM briefed McLean on the current status of U.S. basing issues. ¶3. (C/NF) Rudd told Hatoyama Australia wants to complete its 
FTA with Japan as soon as possible. Hatoyama commented that Japan is reforming its agricultural policy, which will be a positive in concluding the FTA. According to McLean, the FTA negotiations are now down to the difficult issues of agriculture and autos, and Australia will not sign an FTA unless it includes agriculture. Rudd also gave a presentation on the Australian economy to a group of Japanese business leaders. ¶4. (C/NF) Although Rudd was "primed" on security issues, the subject did not feature prominently in the discussion, McLean said. However, Hatoyama and Okada signed on to an agreement on logistical support modeled after a U.S.-Japan agreement, which McLean said was the first clear sign from the DPJ of continued security cooperation with Australia. On the issue of regional architecture, Rudd said his idea of an Asia Pacific Community would compliment Hatoyama's East Asia Community. He added that the United States must be included and he was not excluding ASEAN. Okada agreed on inclusion of the U.S., according to McLean. The two governments are planning for a two-plus-two meeting in Australia later this year, and Rudd offered Hatoyama the opportunity to speak before parliament if he comes to Australia. ¶5. (C/NF) Rudd raised Iran's nuclear program, saying Australia supports further sanctions and asked for Japanese support, as well. Hatoyama said he understands the situation is worsening but has faith the U.S. and Iran will solve their differences. He said Japan is seeking a fourth high level visit from Iran (Note: Iranian Supreme Council for National Security Secretary General Saeed Jalili is expected to travel to Japan December 20-24. End note). McLean lamented that Hatoyama appeared to still characterize it as a U.S.-Iran dispute, and did not understand the real threat posed by Iran. The DCM said we appreciate Rudd's efforts and encouraged Australia to continue raising the issue at appropriate levels. ¶6. (C/NF) In a separate conversation with the DCM December 14, MOFA Asia DG Akitaka Saiki also characterized PM Rudd's discussions with PM Hatoyama as "mostly focused" on climate change. "He said nothing new," Saiki added. On whaling, TOKYO 00002902 002 OF 002 while Rudd said he hoped to pursue a diplomatic solution through the IWC, Australia may consider taking a case to the International Court of Justice, DG Saiki reported. PM Hatoyama responded with his hope that Australia takes legal action in response to the Sea Shepherd's violent acts. On the NPT RevCon and President Obama's Nuclear Security Summit, both Rudd and Hatoyama agreed to work together closely to make them a success. Separately, when FM Okada met with PM Rudd, Okada called on the Australians to include the United States in their Asia Pacific Community thinking and to ensure that ASEAN is in the driver's seat. Rudd said "of course" in response to the former and seemed "not happy" in response to the latter, Saiki said. ROOS