Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO895
2009-04-19 22:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
JAPAN PREPS FOR PACIFIC ISLANDS SUMMIT; FIJI
how-toVZCZCXRO3660 PP RUEHKSO RUEHMJ RUEHPB DE RUEHKO #0895 1092229 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 192229Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2411 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 8880 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 3133 RUEHMJ/AMEMBASSY MAJURO PRIORITY 0089 RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY PRIORITY 0146 RUEHSV/AMEMBASSY SUVA PRIORITY 0054 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON PRIORITY 1170 RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO PRIORITY 4131 RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI PRIORITY 7317 RHMFISS/USFJ PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000895
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: JAPAN PREPS FOR PACIFIC ISLANDS SUMMIT; FIJI
INVITE STILL UNDER DISCUSSION
Classified By: Charge James P Zumwalt for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
--------
Summary
--------
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000895
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: JAPAN PREPS FOR PACIFIC ISLANDS SUMMIT; FIJI
INVITE STILL UNDER DISCUSSION
Classified By: Charge James P Zumwalt for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (C) Japan will host the fifth Pacific Islands Leaders
Meeting (PALM 5) in Hokkaido May 22-23. The focus of this
tri-annual summit meeting between Japan and the members of
the Pacific Islands Forum will be climate change, human
security and expanding people-to-people exchanges. The
Japanese Government, which released a statement on April 16
expressing concern about recent events in Fiji, remains
undecided about whether to invite Fiji's interim leader. END
SUMMARY.
--------------
GOALS FOR PALM5
--------------
2. (C) MOFA Oceania Division Director Kiminori Iwama told
Embassy Tokyo that the upcoming PALM 5 event will focus on
three areas: "Eco-friendliness," the promotion of human
security, and expanding people-to-people exchanges. In terms
of eco-friendliness, Japan hopes to use the upcoming summit
meeting to promote regional cooperation in addressing climate
change and environmental protection, including through its
own "Cool Earth Partnership." Regarding human security,
Iwama noted that while it may be difficult for Japan to
provide more in the way of monetary assistance, the Japanese
government wants to promote exchanges of experts and
volunteers who can contribute technical know-how in fields
such as tourism, fresh water supply, and education. The PALM
5 - the theme of which is "We Are Islanders" - will also
discuss people-to-people exchanges between Pacific island
nations and Japan, as well as ASEAN members.
--------------
FIJI INVITATION STILL UNDER DISCUSSION
--------------
3. (C) Iwama noted that while in principle it would be
"preferable to invite all Pacific Island Forum (PIF)
members," MOFA recognizes that the current situation in Fiji
must be addressed. Iwama offered his personal view that it
will be "very difficult" to invite the head of Fiji's interim
government. The final decision will be made at "a very high
level," Iwama added.
--------------
MOFA STATEMENT ON FIJI
--------------
4. (SBU) On April 16, MOFA issued the following statement on
the situation in Fiji:
Japan has been encouraging Fiji to return to democracy since
the coup that took place in December, 2006. Japan is deeply
concerned that Fiji made undemocratic decisions including
abrogation of the Constitution, as it will step backwards in
its restoration of democracy process that Fiji has been
undertaking in cooperation with the international community.
Japan sincerely hopes Fiji will make steadfast advancement
towards democracy and that fair elections will be held at the
soonest possible timing.
ZUMWALT
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: JAPAN PREPS FOR PACIFIC ISLANDS SUMMIT; FIJI
INVITE STILL UNDER DISCUSSION
Classified By: Charge James P Zumwalt for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (C) Japan will host the fifth Pacific Islands Leaders
Meeting (PALM 5) in Hokkaido May 22-23. The focus of this
tri-annual summit meeting between Japan and the members of
the Pacific Islands Forum will be climate change, human
security and expanding people-to-people exchanges. The
Japanese Government, which released a statement on April 16
expressing concern about recent events in Fiji, remains
undecided about whether to invite Fiji's interim leader. END
SUMMARY.
--------------
GOALS FOR PALM5
--------------
2. (C) MOFA Oceania Division Director Kiminori Iwama told
Embassy Tokyo that the upcoming PALM 5 event will focus on
three areas: "Eco-friendliness," the promotion of human
security, and expanding people-to-people exchanges. In terms
of eco-friendliness, Japan hopes to use the upcoming summit
meeting to promote regional cooperation in addressing climate
change and environmental protection, including through its
own "Cool Earth Partnership." Regarding human security,
Iwama noted that while it may be difficult for Japan to
provide more in the way of monetary assistance, the Japanese
government wants to promote exchanges of experts and
volunteers who can contribute technical know-how in fields
such as tourism, fresh water supply, and education. The PALM
5 - the theme of which is "We Are Islanders" - will also
discuss people-to-people exchanges between Pacific island
nations and Japan, as well as ASEAN members.
--------------
FIJI INVITATION STILL UNDER DISCUSSION
--------------
3. (C) Iwama noted that while in principle it would be
"preferable to invite all Pacific Island Forum (PIF)
members," MOFA recognizes that the current situation in Fiji
must be addressed. Iwama offered his personal view that it
will be "very difficult" to invite the head of Fiji's interim
government. The final decision will be made at "a very high
level," Iwama added.
--------------
MOFA STATEMENT ON FIJI
--------------
4. (SBU) On April 16, MOFA issued the following statement on
the situation in Fiji:
Japan has been encouraging Fiji to return to democracy since
the coup that took place in December, 2006. Japan is deeply
concerned that Fiji made undemocratic decisions including
abrogation of the Constitution, as it will step backwards in
its restoration of democracy process that Fiji has been
undertaking in cooperation with the international community.
Japan sincerely hopes Fiji will make steadfast advancement
towards democracy and that fair elections will be held at the
soonest possible timing.
ZUMWALT