DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON IAEA REPORTS ON IRAN AND

S E C R E T TOKYO 000462 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT PLEASE PASS EAP/J, ISN/RA RICHARD NEPHEW, AND IO/T MATT GOLDSTEIN E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2019 TAGS: KNNP PARM IAEA MNUC IR SYR TRGY JA SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON IAEA REPORTS ON IRAN AND SYRIA REF: STATE 16285 Classified By: EMIN Robert Cekuta for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) Econoff delivered demarche contained in reftel to Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Non-proliferation, Science, and Nuclear Energy Division officers responsible for Iran and Syria February 24. Similarly, poloff delivered the points to contacts in MOFA's First and Second Middle East Divisions. ¶2. (SBU) Non-proliferation officer Isami Takada said Japan is drafting its national statement on Iran, so the demarche was well timed. He described Iran's continued breach of its obligations as quite serious but not unexpected, and noted Japan's position against Iran's activities remains unchanged. Takada said MOFA believed "the ball is in Iran's court" and it is Iran's turn to make a positive action. ¶3. (S) Takada added that Japan is aware a P5 1 statement is under negotiation and said Japan would welcome a strong joint statement in order to show Iran a united front. ¶4. (SBU) Regarding Syria, Takada said Japan shares the USG's concern and Japan's position has not changed since it issued its November 2008 statement on Syria. ZUMWALT