Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO744
2009-04-02 08:27:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
JAPAN LEANING TOWARD SUBMITTING KOSOVO ICJ
how-toVZCZCXRO7353 OO RUEHAG RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHKO #0744 0920827 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 020827Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1982 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 8589 RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PRIORITY 0002 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 2779 RUEHPS/AMEMBASSY PRISTINA PRIORITY 0004 RUEHVJ/AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO PRIORITY 0009 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY 4617 RUEHSQ/AMEMBASSY SKOPJE PRIORITY 0038 RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA PRIORITY 3319 RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA PRIORITY 5665 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE PRIORITY 7115 RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO PRIORITY 3861 RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 4463 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000744
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/02/2017
TAGS: AORC PREL ICJ JA KV
SUBJECT: JAPAN LEANING TOWARD SUBMITTING KOSOVO ICJ
ADVISORY OPINION
REF: A. STATE 29385
B. 03/18/09 JORDAN-SHIRATORI/WEINBERG E-MAIL
Classified By: Charge d' Affaires, a.i. James P. Zumwalt. Reasons 1.4
(B) (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000744
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/02/2017
TAGS: AORC PREL ICJ JA KV
SUBJECT: JAPAN LEANING TOWARD SUBMITTING KOSOVO ICJ
ADVISORY OPINION
REF: A. STATE 29385
B. 03/18/09 JORDAN-SHIRATORI/WEINBERG E-MAIL
Classified By: Charge d' Affaires, a.i. James P. Zumwalt. Reasons 1.4
(B) (D)
1. (C) Embassy Tokyo Political Officer delivered reftel
demarche on engaging states on an ICJ opinion regarding
Kosovo's independence to MOFA Central and South Eastern
Europe Division Principal Deputy Director Yuichi Oba on April
1. Oba stated the Japanese government had not made a final
decision on whether to submit an ICJ advisory opinion. Oba
stressed, however, that Foreign Ministry officials were
"working hard to move the issue forward," and that policy
formulation within MOFA was "moving in the right direction."
As a result, the United States "would not need to worry about
Japan's position," he concluded. Oba could not say when
Tokyo would make a decision but promised Japan's submission
would be submitted by the April deadline.
2. (C) During a March 17 discussion on this issue (ref
e-mail),Oba noted that Japan made a clear political
statement of support for Kosovo at the time Tokyo offered
recognition to Pristina. The ICJ brief, however, &must take
into account the legal elements.8 He continued ¬hing
prevents Japan from submitting a statement to the ICJ ) what
is important is what kind of statement8 Japan submits.
&The decision whether or not to submit a brief cannot be
separated from the content of the brief itself,8 he
continued. Tokyo has received input on possible elements of
an ICJ brief from the UK, Germany, and France.
3. (C) Comment: During previous discussions on the Kosovo ICJ
issue, Oba has referred to complications within MOFA,s
internal decision-making process as another reason for the
delay. He has nevertheless repeatedly tried to convey the
impression Japan intends to submit a brief, even if MOFA,s
internal procedures prevent Oba from actually saying so. As
a result, the Embassy has a high degree of confidence that
Japan does intend to submit an ICJ brief in support of
Kosovo. End Comment
ZUMWALT
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/02/2017
TAGS: AORC PREL ICJ JA KV
SUBJECT: JAPAN LEANING TOWARD SUBMITTING KOSOVO ICJ
ADVISORY OPINION
REF: A. STATE 29385
B. 03/18/09 JORDAN-SHIRATORI/WEINBERG E-MAIL
Classified By: Charge d' Affaires, a.i. James P. Zumwalt. Reasons 1.4
(B) (D)
1. (C) Embassy Tokyo Political Officer delivered reftel
demarche on engaging states on an ICJ opinion regarding
Kosovo's independence to MOFA Central and South Eastern
Europe Division Principal Deputy Director Yuichi Oba on April
1. Oba stated the Japanese government had not made a final
decision on whether to submit an ICJ advisory opinion. Oba
stressed, however, that Foreign Ministry officials were
"working hard to move the issue forward," and that policy
formulation within MOFA was "moving in the right direction."
As a result, the United States "would not need to worry about
Japan's position," he concluded. Oba could not say when
Tokyo would make a decision but promised Japan's submission
would be submitted by the April deadline.
2. (C) During a March 17 discussion on this issue (ref
e-mail),Oba noted that Japan made a clear political
statement of support for Kosovo at the time Tokyo offered
recognition to Pristina. The ICJ brief, however, &must take
into account the legal elements.8 He continued ¬hing
prevents Japan from submitting a statement to the ICJ ) what
is important is what kind of statement8 Japan submits.
&The decision whether or not to submit a brief cannot be
separated from the content of the brief itself,8 he
continued. Tokyo has received input on possible elements of
an ICJ brief from the UK, Germany, and France.
3. (C) Comment: During previous discussions on the Kosovo ICJ
issue, Oba has referred to complications within MOFA,s
internal decision-making process as another reason for the
delay. He has nevertheless repeatedly tried to convey the
impression Japan intends to submit a brief, even if MOFA,s
internal procedures prevent Oba from actually saying so. As
a result, the Embassy has a high degree of confidence that
Japan does intend to submit an ICJ brief in support of
Kosovo. End Comment
ZUMWALT