AMBASSADOR RICE MEETS WITH JAPANESE AMBASSADOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000071 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC JA SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR RICE MEETS WITH JAPANESE AMBASSADOR TAKASU Classified By: Ambassador Rice for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: During a productive and cordial initial meeting with Japanese Permanent Representative Takasu, Ambassador Rice outlined U.S. priorities and conveyed the Administration's desire to deepen the bilateral relationship. Takasu said Japan shares U.S. objectives and lends its "fullest support." Takasu remarked that the UN experience can be "very frustrating" but its strength is in consensus building, a priority for Japan. Takasu said Japan's highest priority is permanent membership on the Council and hoped for continued U.S. support. With regard to the International Criminal Court's (ICC) decision on the case against Bashir, Ambassador Takasu said the Government should know what's coming and commented that the Council would likely find common ground on the issue. Both Ambassadors expressed doubt about the efficacy of blue-helmeting the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISON). On Burma, Takasu said Japan had already offered the regime incentives for progress on key areas, including the release of prisoners and dialogue. The Japanese agreed to support the U.S. approach on Iran but commented "Japan cannot stop buying oil." Takasu voiced concern about possible DPRK activity directed toward Japan and asked for the United States' "fullest support" if anything should happen. The ambassadors also discussed development, Afghanistan and disarmament, and Takasu asked for constructive U.S. engagement during the upcoming conference on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, as well as U.S. support for Japan's candidate for the Director General position of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). End Summary. UNSC Reform ¶2. (C) Takasu said that reform of the Security Council is long overdue. He thanked Ambassador Rice for U.S. support in the past and proposed a "serious talk" about realistic reform at a later date. This is Japan's highest priority, he added. Japan had been selected to the Council each time it ran for a Council seat, he remarked, but "we deserve more" and hope the United States will continue its support. Ambassador Rice told Ambassador Takasu that the Administration agrees the Council does not currently reflect global realities and needs to adapt for its own viability and legitimacy. She added that one change in this Administration is that there is no need to link Security Council reform directly to overall UN reform, although the latter is a priority for the U.S. Most importantly, the United States wants to ensure the Council can continue to respond quickly and effectively to threats to international peace and security. Sudan ¶3. (C) Regarding the request from the ICC for an arrest warrant for President Bashir, Ambassador Takasu said that the Sudanese leadership should know what's coming and, noting South Africa's departure from the Council, added the Council will no longer protect the Government of Sudan. Takasu told Ambassador Rice that Secretary-General Ban is prepared to issue a statement immediately after the ICC decision, regardless of the decision, and that the Council should also try to issue a statement. Takasu said China "might be tough" in negotiating a statement, but remarked that Japan's positive bilateral relationship would keep China from "making Japan's Presidency difficult." Takasu also referenced the upcoming AU Summit and added that Libya might "toe the line" if the AU adopts a resolution on the issue. At a minimum, Takasu continued, the Council should speak with a unified voice and "we should be able to find common ground." It would be unfortunate if the Council could not reach agreement on a statement, he said. ¶4. (C) Ambassador Rice said she does not expect that the United States will support an Article 16 deferral or any actions that would delay justice. She emphasized the need to send a clear message to the Sudanese that no retaliation against peacekeepers or humanitarian workers would be tolerated. Rice commented that the United States is open to calibrating the rollout so there is no excess anxiety. Burma ¶5. (C) Ambassador Takasu said that the Secretary-General's Special Advisor Gambari is traveling to Burma to prepare the way for a possible Secretary-General Ban visit to the country. Gambari will brief the Council when he returns, Takasu noted, adding he did not expect a Council product after Gambari's briefing, which is tentatively scheduled for February 20, although France and the UK might propose one. ¶6. (C) Takasu said the Burmese junta has a "siege mentality" and perceives a "social threat everywhere." He commented that the best way forward is pressure combined with incentives. According to Takasu, Japan has already told the regime that if there is tangible progress on the release of political prisoners, including Aung Sun Suu Kyi (ASSK) (or at least the relaxation of the conditions of her house arrest) and progress toward more credible 2010 elections, including an electoral commission, Japan would expand humanitarian assistance. (Note: Takasu said Japan would not consider specific incentives until there was tangible progress but offered as examples the reconstruction of school buildings and expanded health and social development. End Note.) ¶7. (C) Ambassador Rice agreed that Japan and the United States share the same aim in Burma. She added that the Administration remains highly skeptical about incentives before concrete action. Rice said the U.S. is not averse to considering a combination of pressure and incentives but cautioned that pressure must be as real as incentives. Somalia ¶8. (C) Ambassador Takasu said acting against piracy is included in the Japanese constitution's Article 9 prohibition against the use of force. He added that Japan hopes to send escort ships to the region to protect Japanese ships and goods. The ships would not be able to escort foreign vessels, however, including World Food Program ships. Takasu said the government will soon propose the bill to parliament, but emphasized that the process is complex and commented that the Upper House majority "is against us." ¶9. (C) Takasu said that Japan is prepared to support the strengthening of AMISOM but is concerned about the financial implications of the mission. Japan needs minimal conditions before it can support approval of a UN mission, he remarked. Ambassador Rice said the United States also supports strengthening AMISOM but is skeptical about any push to blue-helmet the mission. She stressed the importance of finding a mechanism that can support non-UN missions while still insuring accountability and transparency. DPRK ¶10. (C) Ambassador Takasu said Japan remains committed to the Six-Party talks stressing credible verification is the key. He emphasized that North Korea possesses missiles that put Japan within range and pose a serious threat to Japan's security. On abductees Takasu said the DPRK is unreliable and added that the regime committed to investigate the issue only to change its tune with Japan's recent change in leadership. Takasu reiterated his concern about Japanese security and asked for "full U.S. support if anything comes up." Development ¶11. (C) Ambassador Takasu said he was very encouraged by the Administration's decision to make development and Millennium Development Goals (MDG) a priority, particularly considering the impact of the current economic crisis. He emphasized that the General Assembly is not well-suited to address development issues and "we should not be hijacked" by delegations that might push development in the GA. Takasu said the EU often changes its position with regard to development and added that JUSCANZ (Japan, U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand) is more closely allied to the common U.S.-Japan position. Japan is a good friend to the United States on development issues, he said. Ambassador Rice said the Administration is enthusiastic about development and MDGs and hopes to identify measures and increase efforts to accomplish them. Afghanistan ¶12. (C) Takasu told Ambassador Rice that Japan is committed to preventing terrorism and takes seriously its role in Afghanistan. He remarked that "Japan should do more" but is prohibited by its Article 9 prohibition renouncing the use of force. Instead, Takasu continued, Japan will continue refueling ships and is also reconstructing the airport. He commented that Japan has set aside a supplemental budget that includes USD 300 million for Afghanistan, and actively supports PRTs. Ambassador Rice thanked Takasu for Japan's contribution and welcomed any additional support Japan could provide. She said the Administration is committed to more assistance in Afghanistan and most importantly, to preventing Afghanistan from returning to a launching pad for extremists. Iran ¶13. (C) Takasu said Japan complies with all sanctions on Iran, but added that Japan continues to purchase 15 percent of its oil from Iran. "Japan cannot stop buying oil," he commented. He said that Japan adheres to all non-proliferation treaties and has urged Iran to do likewise. Ambassador Rice confirmed that Japan shares the U.S. assessment that Iran is seeking to weaponize its nuclear technology. She stressed the urgency of the issue and said that the Administration will sequence a package of incentives and pressure in the EU3 3 format and eventually via direct engagement. She said the U.S. aim is to exhaust the diplomatic track while reinforcing it with significant pressure. Ambassador Rice pushed for maximum support from Japan in order to make Iran's choice as stark as possible. Disarmament ¶14. (C) Takasu said Japan was encouraged by the U.S. decision to make disarmament and non-proliferation a priority. He asked for U.S. support during the upcoming May conference on the CTBT. He said that a move in U.S. policy might also change China's position along with several other countries. Takasu also requested U.S. support for Japan's candidate, Ambassador Yukiya Amano, for the IAEA Director General position. Rice