Japan Hosts Sixth Asian Senior-Level Talks on

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 TOKYO 000153 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN, ISN/RA BEISECKER, EAP/J STATE PASS DOE FOR NA-20 Ken Baker, NA-21 Andrew Bienowski, NA-24 Mark Whitney, NE-6 Ed McGinnis, NE-54 Carter Savage E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP PUNE PARM PREL ETTC JA SUBJECT: Japan Hosts Sixth Asian Senior-Level Talks on Non-Proliferation (ASTOP) TOKYO 00000153 001.2 OF 006 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY. ¶1. (SBU) Summary and Comment: The government of Japan hosted the sixth meeting of the Asian Senior-Level Talks on Non-Proliferation (ASTOP) December 11, 2009. Sixteen countries from the Asia-Pacific region and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) were represented. The U.S. delegation (USDel) was pleased with the level of participation and degree of preparedness of participants in a wide range of discussions on nonproliferation-related topics, including North Korea and UNSCR 1874, nuclear security, and the Iranian nuclear issue. USG participation in and support for ASTOP helps achieve regional nonproliferation objectives and should be continued. In tandem with the newly-created Intersessional Meeting on Nonproliferation and Disarmament in the ASEAN Regional Forum, ASTOP provides a useful forum to engage ASEAN members in particular on a broad range of nonpro issues. In addition, our support of ASTOP serves to cultivate Japanese leadership in the region on nonproliferation issues. End Summary and Comment. ¶2. (SBU) The sixth annual meeting of the Asian Senior-Level Talks on Non-Proliferation (ASTOP) was held in Tokyo on December 11, 2009. With the exception of China and Canada, which were represented by Japan-assigned diplomats, participants at the DAS/AS level from Australia, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the United States, Vietnam, and Japan came well prepared to engage substantively. Only the Brunei delegation remained silent during the full-day event. Indonesia had been invited, but did not attend. USDel, led by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Nonproliferation Policy and Negotiations C. S. Eliot Kang, participated in discussions that covered North Korea and Iran, peaceful uses of nuclear energy, proliferation security, and the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). ¶3. (SBU) Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Shuji Kira delivered opening remarks in which he noted the global expansion in peaceful uses of nuclear energy and the need to maintain the non-proliferation regime. He referenced the challenges of North Korea and Iran, and called on the international community to agree on a clear and unified path forward. Meeting Chair Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Director General for Disarmament, Non-Proliferation, and Science Toshio Sano began the day's discussions by describing developments since 2003, when the first ASTOP meeting was held. He highlighted the strengthening of sanctions against the North Korean regime, and the renewal of doubts about Iran's peaceful intentions as a result of the Qom disclosure. -------------- North Korea -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Wang Tianling, Counselor from the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo, delivered a perfunctory presentation (which he translated from the original Chinese text) on North Korea, in which he noted the desire of all parties to resume Six-Party Talks and expressed China's hope for progress on denuclearization. Wang stressed three goals: to strive for an early resumption of Six-Party Talks, to maintain the peace and stability of Northeast Asia, and to respect the security interests of all parties while undertaking implementation of UNSC resolutions. ¶5. (SBU) Tsuotomu Koizumi, Director of the Non-Proliferation, TOKYO 00000153 002.2 OF 006 Science, and Nuclear Energy Division in the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed full agreement on the necessity of a peaceful solution on the Korean peninsula, but asserted that North Korea's return to the negotiating table should be a start to the process, and not a reason to grant any concessions. DAS Kang gave a read out of Ambassador Bosworth's just-completed visit to the DPRK. He noted that the purpose of Ambassador Bosworth's visit was to facilitate the resumption of Six-Party Talks and to reaffirm the goal of implementing the September 2005 Joint Statement, and emphasized that our bilateral engagement itself takes place in the context of the Six-Party framework. -------------- UNSCR 1874 -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Ambassador Mario Lopez De Leon,Jr., Chief Coordinator in the Office of the Secretary, Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, delivered remarks on the Philippines implementation of UNSCR 1874 sanctions on North Korea. De Leon described Philippine efforts to comply with the resolution and the challenges faced by an archipelagic nation in dealing with maritime cargo inspections. In particular, De Leon noted the need for equipment and related training in order to enhance capacity for cargo identification as well as technical training on enforcement of existing regulations. ISN/ECC Director Justin Friedman responded with a brief outline of our extensive, collaborative, capacity-building efforts under the EXBS program. ¶7. (SBU) Anuson Chinvanno, Director-General of the Department of International Organizations in the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed Thailand's ambition to comply with 1874 as fully as possible, but noted the importance of sharing accurate information and raised concerns about shipment inspections and liability. (Note: this event occurred before the Thai seizure in Bangkok of an aircraft carrying North Korean arms. End Note.) Specifically, Anuson asked who bears liability should an inspection fail to turn up any contraband. In response, the U.S and other delegations highlighted the importance of clarifying national law to provide customs officials the proper protections and authorities to undertake inspections. ¶8. (SBU) Shin Dong-ik, Director-General of the Bureau of International Organizations of the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, argued that implementation of 1874 was going well but urged all transshipment countries to remain vigilant and respond to reasonable and credible information. Shin also raised the issue of inspection cost, and suggested that while it generally expected the inspecting country to bear the costs, in cases where countries make requests of each other for inspections, perhaps the requesting country could share the cost of the inspection. Shazryll bin Zahiran, Principal Assistant Secretary of the Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Division in the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then asked about best practices related to inspecting and seizing cargo as well as how best to dispose of seized cargo. -------------- Iranian Nuclear Program -------------- ¶9. (SBU) DAS Kang gave a presentation describing recent developments on the Iran nuclear issue, including an update on TOKYO 00000153 003.2 OF 006 centrifuges and uranium enrichment, details on the status of the IAEA investigation, and a summary of existing UNSC resolutions. Gerry McGuire, Director of the Counter-Proliferation Section in the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, followed the U.S. presentation by detailing the requirements of each of the Security Council resolutions on Iran, and describing Australia's efforts to implement them. ¶10. (SBU) To Anh Tuan, Assistant Director General for the Department of International Organizations in the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated Vietnam's desire for a peaceful resolution to the Iranian issue, but noted the differences between Iranian words and actions. DAS Kang urged that international solidarity is vital for dealing with Iran and that those countries within the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) interested in peaceful nuclear development should not allow Iran to be the messenger for them on nuclear issues. Tint Swai, Deputy Director-General of the ASEAN Affairs Department in the Burmese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressed the need to integrate both Iran and the DPRK into the international community. ¶11. (SBU) Ambassador De Leon of the Philippines expressed concerns about how Iranian withdrawal from the NPT could negatively affect the NPT Review Conference. De Leon cautioned that Iran's views on peaceful use of nuclear power would have extra weight as it was currently on the NAM troika. -------------- IAEA & Additional Protocol -------------- ¶12. (SBU) Attendees discussed the importance of the IAEA Additional Protocol (AP) and efforts to universalize adoption. DG Anuson of Thailand noted that the AP has essentially become a requirement for any country to build a nuclear power plant, but challenges for universalization remain. He asked what incentives the international community could use to get countries to adopt the protocol, and whether it should be made an obligation under the NPT. Delegations debated whether concerns about cost, lack of technical capacity, or invasiveness prevented countries from bringing APs into force. Laos raised concerns that an AP provided no clear benefits for states without nuclear programs. DAS Kang, supported by the Singaporean del, responded that whether to adopt the AP should not be viewed as simply a question of benefit, but rather as a necessary obligation for all sovereign states and important for the establishment of regional norms. Todd Perry, Manager of NNSA's International Nonproliferation Export Control Program, noted the United States was prepared to provide technical assistance as necessary. ¶13. (SBU) After a presentation by the IAEA on the Agency's activities in the Asia-Pacific region, DG Shin from South Korea asked a question about the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle. Shin, arguing that pyroprocessing is safe and proliferation resistant, asked whether the IAEA considers pyroprocessing to be a form of reprocessing. The IAEA delegate noted that the IAEA does consider it reprocessing, and is currently training IAEA staff to better understand pyroprocessing technologies. -------------- Nuclear Energy -------------- TOKYO 00000153 004.2 OF 006 ¶14. (SBU) Sueo Machi, a GOJ science advisor and former commissioner of Japan's Atomic Energy Commission, delivered a presentation on nuclear energy, in which he highlighted the role of nuclear energy in mitigating global warming and promoting energy security, two important GOJ objectives. He noted Japan's low CO2 emission per GDP, which he attributed to energy conservation and nuclear power. In subsequent discussions, DDG Tuan of Vietnam reiterated that while Vietnam supports non-proliferation, the right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy must be maintained. Tuan expressed appreciation for IAEA assistance in the areas of planning and regulatory reform, and noted future need for training of personnel, improved safety measures, and assistance setting up a nuclear regulatory agency. -------------- Nuclear Security -------------- ¶15. (SBU) DAS Kang led a discussion on nuclear security, covering the Nuclear Security Summit, the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT),and UNSCR 1540. Kang noted the need for countries to come to a common understanding of the threat posed by nuclear terrorism, and to agree to effective preventative measures. He told participants that the United States and Russia as co-chairs of the GICNT are working to revise the terms of reference for the Initiative, and described some proposed changes such as a rotating chairmanship, a voting mechanism, and working groups. ¶16. (SBU) DG Anuson of Thailand, noting the UNSCR 1540 Comprehensive Review, expressed his hope that next year's report on implementation reflects the importance of capacity building of human resources and the need for technical equipment. Anuson also observed that to date, 1540 implementation discussion had focused almost exclusively on nuclear nonproliferation and urged that more consideration be given to chemical and biological controls. -------------- Proliferation Security Initiative -------------- ¶17. (SBU) Low Chian Siong, Branch Head for Policy in the Singaporean Ministry of Defense, and DG Shin of South Korea led discussion on the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). Low presented on Singapore's recent Deep Sabre II Workshop, which involved 11 participants and 10 observers. Low described Singapore's joining of the PSI, a fact welcomed by several delegations, and announced that it would host both a regional PSI workshop in the second half of 2010, and the Plenary for the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) in 2011. During discussions, Joseph Peter Ballard, Policy Officer in the International Security and Disarmament Division in the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, identified New Zealand's PSI priorities as broadening cooperation, increasing communication between members, and encouraging greater regional involvement. -------------- NPT Review Conference -------------- ¶18. (SBU) MOFA Director for Arms Control and Disarmament Hideo Suzuki delivered Japan's presentation on the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the 2010 NPT Review Conference (RevCon). He TOKYO 00000153 005.2 OF 006 focused on the importance of ensuring an outcome that will maintain and strengthen the NPT regime. ¶19. (SBU) Suzuki identified three main objectives for Japan: progressing on all three pillars in a balanced manner, contributing to the conference by playing a bridging role between interests, and reaching an agreement on forward-looking measures to strengthen the NPT regime. As specific action items, he suggested members should discuss a consultation mechanism on withdrawal, and revise the 13 practical steps from the 2000 NPT RevCon. ¶20. (SBU) Deborah Paul, Political Counselor for the local Canadian Embassy, noted Canada's high expectations for this RevCon, and described Canada's goal as a substantive and balanced outcome document. Paul suggested that the RevCon will have to address the various fuel supply initiatives under discussion. Finally, Paul noted Canada's intent to advocate for a non-discriminatory set of criteria by the Nuclear Suppliers Group that does not prohibit countries with exemplary non-proliferation credentials from acquiring enrichment and reprocessing technologies. Mr. Ballard from New Zealand urged more concrete progress on disarmament in the lead up to the RevCon. -------------- Bilateral Discussions -------------- ¶21. (SBU) During bilateral discussions on the margins of ASTOP with ADG Tuan from Vietnam, DAS Kang urged Vietnam to play a larger role in the Non-Aligned Movement's proceedings on nonproliferation. Kang expanded that the NAM was in need of voices of moderation and pragmatism, especially in light of Egypt and Iran's posturing and the upcoming 2010 NPT Review Conference. Tuan opined Vietnam had engaged some on the DPRK issue, but stated Vietnam was a "small country" and not a strong voice in many NAM discussions. Tuan stated he would forward the U.S. message to Hanoi and relevant embassies. ¶22. (SBU) During lunch discussions with Kang, PAS Shazryll from Malaysia stated that the Malaysian government is currently reviewing its general approach to nonproliferation. He confided that the MFA was taken off guard by the PM Office's reaction to Malaysian Perm Rep Arshad's negative vote on the Iran issue at the November IAEA Board of Governors (BOG) meeting. [Note: Malaysia was one of only three countries to vote against the Iran resolution at the November IAEA BOG. The Malaysian government issued a press statement in December declaring that the vote was not in accordance with government procedures and recalled Ambassador Arshad back to Kuala Lumpur. End note.] ¶23. (SBU) In a separate conversation with ECC Director Friedman, Shazryll said that Malaysia was ready to work more actively with the United States on export control capacity building through the EXBS program. He cautioned that a proposed January date for a commodity identification training (CIT) program would be difficult, as the Malasian interagency was moving slowly in lining up the right participants. He suggested March would be better timing for the GoM. ¶24. (SBU) Shazryll-the GoM point of contact on export controls-complained that international donors were flooding Malaysia with offers of "best practice" training and it was difficult to sort TOKYO 00000153 006.2 OF 006 out which would be best. Friedman suggested that the GoM call a donors conference to show leadership on the issue and set priorities for the donor community to fill in a coordinated fashion. Shazryll said that he will be moving on to a new assignment in the next six months. Friedman suggested that he focus his efforts on developing a capacity development implementation plan that his successor could take up to prevent any unnecessary delay in capacity development during the job handover. ¶25. (U) This cable was cleared with the delegation subsequent to its return to Washington. ROOS