Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO4
2009-01-02 06:33:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
JAPAN CALLS FOR HALT TO ATTACKS ON GAZA;
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHKO #0004/01 0020633 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 020633Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9800 INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL PRIORITY RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY 0374 RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY 0310 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 0324 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS PRIORITY 0532 RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 0609 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 0775 RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000004
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA, EAP/J, NEA/IPA HANKINS AND PRM/ANE RAMGOOLIE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/01/2019
TAGS: PREL EAID KPAL KWBG UNRWA IS JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN CALLS FOR HALT TO ATTACKS ON GAZA;
CONSIDERING ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO UNRWA
REF: 08 STATE 135559
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Jim Zumwalt for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000004
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA, EAP/J, NEA/IPA HANKINS AND PRM/ANE RAMGOOLIE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/01/2019
TAGS: PREL EAID KPAL KWBG UNRWA IS JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN CALLS FOR HALT TO ATTACKS ON GAZA;
CONSIDERING ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO UNRWA
REF: 08 STATE 135559
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Jim Zumwalt for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: Prime Minister Aso telephoned Prime Minister
Olmert to urge an end to Israel's airstrikes on Gaza. Japan
has also called on Hamas to stop firing rockets at Israel.
The Israeli Embassy in Tokyo has been in touch with MOFA
concerning possible UNSC actions concerning the situation in
Gaza, but MOFA is awaiting the outcome of a planned experts
meeting in New York before meeting with the Israeli
Ambassador. Japan is aware of the UNRWA Flash Appeal and is
currently in consultation with UNRWA to determine what type
of assistance is required; inter-ministerial consultations
concerning how much Japan can contribute are underway, but it
is too soon to determine what Tokyo's contribution will be.
There have been several peaceful demonstrations outside
Israel's embassy in Tokyo. END SUMMARY.
--------------
JAPAN URGES RESTRAINT
--------------
2. (C) Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso December 31
telephoned Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and spoke with
him for approximately 20 minutes concerning the situation in
Gaza, according to MOFA First Middle East Division Palestine
desk officer Mamoru Kanno. PM Aso acknowledged Israel's
right to self defense, but expressed concern for the safety
of Palestinian civilians and asked Olmert to show restraint
and to halt Israel's air strikes on Gaza. He also informed
Olmert that Japan will be working with the Palestinian
Authority and relevant international organizations to provide
humanitarian assistance, and urged Israel to take steps to
help avoid a humanitarian crisis. According to Kanno, Aso
urged Olmert to permit food, water, and medical supplies into
Gaza. Olmert reportedly replied that Israel will cooperate
in efforts to provide relief supplies. He reiterated
Israel's stance that Hamas is to blame for the continued
violence, that Israel has a right and duty to protect its own
citizens, and that it is taking all possible steps to avoid
inflicting casualties on civilians. Aso's call to Olmert
followed an earlier telephone conversation between Foreign
Ministers Nakasone and Livni.
3. (C) Israeli Embassy Second Secretary Israel Strolov
confirmed to us the gist of the telephone conversation, but
indicated his embassy is a bit miffed that Aso's
acknowledgment of Israel's right to self defense has not been
reported in MOFA's public accounts of the conversation. The
Israeli Embassy has been in touch with MOFA concerning
possible Security Council action on this issue, continued
Strolov. The Israeli Ambassador has requested a meeting with
Deputy Vice Minister for Foreign Policy Koro Bessho, who
handles UN affairs, although it is unlikely Bessho will see
him before January 5. Strolov believes the Japanese are
waiting for the outcome of a scheduled experts level meeting
in New York before meeting his Ambassador.
--------------
UNRWA FLASH APPEAL
--------------
4. (C) MOFA is aware of the UNRWA Flash Appeal and is
consulting with UNRWA concerning their requirements for
assistance, reported Kanno. He said that despite the New
Year holiday which has basically shut down the Japanese
government, inter-ministerial consultations are ongoing to
determine how much Japan will be able to contribute. Kanno
expects Japan will contribute, but said the amount of its
contribution would probably not be known until the week of
January 5.
--------------
DEMONSTRATIONS AT ISRAELI EMBASSY
--------------
5. (C) At least three peaceful demonstrations have been held
outside the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo, according to Strolov.
On December 29, approximately 10 people showed up but were
sent away by the police. On December 30 at 14:00,
approximately 150 people from "left wing" organizations held
banners, placed flowers, and chanted for an end to the
airstrikes. Two hours later, an Amnesty
International-organized group of about 250 peacefully
protested. Strolov said that while most of the demonstrators
were Japanese, approximately 40 seemed to be an organized
group of "Iranians and other Middle Eastern-types."
ZUMWALT
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA, EAP/J, NEA/IPA HANKINS AND PRM/ANE RAMGOOLIE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/01/2019
TAGS: PREL EAID KPAL KWBG UNRWA IS JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN CALLS FOR HALT TO ATTACKS ON GAZA;
CONSIDERING ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO UNRWA
REF: 08 STATE 135559
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Jim Zumwalt for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: Prime Minister Aso telephoned Prime Minister
Olmert to urge an end to Israel's airstrikes on Gaza. Japan
has also called on Hamas to stop firing rockets at Israel.
The Israeli Embassy in Tokyo has been in touch with MOFA
concerning possible UNSC actions concerning the situation in
Gaza, but MOFA is awaiting the outcome of a planned experts
meeting in New York before meeting with the Israeli
Ambassador. Japan is aware of the UNRWA Flash Appeal and is
currently in consultation with UNRWA to determine what type
of assistance is required; inter-ministerial consultations
concerning how much Japan can contribute are underway, but it
is too soon to determine what Tokyo's contribution will be.
There have been several peaceful demonstrations outside
Israel's embassy in Tokyo. END SUMMARY.
--------------
JAPAN URGES RESTRAINT
--------------
2. (C) Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso December 31
telephoned Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and spoke with
him for approximately 20 minutes concerning the situation in
Gaza, according to MOFA First Middle East Division Palestine
desk officer Mamoru Kanno. PM Aso acknowledged Israel's
right to self defense, but expressed concern for the safety
of Palestinian civilians and asked Olmert to show restraint
and to halt Israel's air strikes on Gaza. He also informed
Olmert that Japan will be working with the Palestinian
Authority and relevant international organizations to provide
humanitarian assistance, and urged Israel to take steps to
help avoid a humanitarian crisis. According to Kanno, Aso
urged Olmert to permit food, water, and medical supplies into
Gaza. Olmert reportedly replied that Israel will cooperate
in efforts to provide relief supplies. He reiterated
Israel's stance that Hamas is to blame for the continued
violence, that Israel has a right and duty to protect its own
citizens, and that it is taking all possible steps to avoid
inflicting casualties on civilians. Aso's call to Olmert
followed an earlier telephone conversation between Foreign
Ministers Nakasone and Livni.
3. (C) Israeli Embassy Second Secretary Israel Strolov
confirmed to us the gist of the telephone conversation, but
indicated his embassy is a bit miffed that Aso's
acknowledgment of Israel's right to self defense has not been
reported in MOFA's public accounts of the conversation. The
Israeli Embassy has been in touch with MOFA concerning
possible Security Council action on this issue, continued
Strolov. The Israeli Ambassador has requested a meeting with
Deputy Vice Minister for Foreign Policy Koro Bessho, who
handles UN affairs, although it is unlikely Bessho will see
him before January 5. Strolov believes the Japanese are
waiting for the outcome of a scheduled experts level meeting
in New York before meeting his Ambassador.
--------------
UNRWA FLASH APPEAL
--------------
4. (C) MOFA is aware of the UNRWA Flash Appeal and is
consulting with UNRWA concerning their requirements for
assistance, reported Kanno. He said that despite the New
Year holiday which has basically shut down the Japanese
government, inter-ministerial consultations are ongoing to
determine how much Japan will be able to contribute. Kanno
expects Japan will contribute, but said the amount of its
contribution would probably not be known until the week of
January 5.
--------------
DEMONSTRATIONS AT ISRAELI EMBASSY
--------------
5. (C) At least three peaceful demonstrations have been held
outside the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo, according to Strolov.
On December 29, approximately 10 people showed up but were
sent away by the police. On December 30 at 14:00,
approximately 150 people from "left wing" organizations held
banners, placed flowers, and chanted for an end to the
airstrikes. Two hours later, an Amnesty
International-organized group of about 250 peacefully
protested. Strolov said that while most of the demonstrators
were Japanese, approximately 40 seemed to be an organized
group of "Iranians and other Middle Eastern-types."
ZUMWALT