VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHKO #5558/01 2690802
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 260802Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6762
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 4305
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 1259
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA PRIORITY 0406
UNCLAS TOKYO 005558
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP MCAP PINR PINS PTER
SUBJECT: JAPANESE QUESTIONS REGARDING THE GLOBAL INITIATIVE
TO COMBAT NUCLEAR TERRORISM KEY DOCUMENTS, PREPARATION FOR
INITIAL MEETING IN OCTOBER
REF: SECSTATE 155988
1. This is an action message. See para 5.
2. SUMMARY: Russian Embassy Political Officer Sergey I.
Kuznetsov and U.S. Embassy Science and Technical Affairs
Officer Ayanna Hobbs met with Japanese counterparts at MOFA
on 25 September. Using the three briefing documents (reftel)
officers explained the points, and using a timeline,
highlighted the important dates, including the date change of
the initial meeting. Japan raised numerous questions
regarding the Initiative. END SUMMARY.
-----------------------------
MOFA's Comments
------------------------------
3. Japan welcomed the Initiative and stated its continued
support in the fight against terrorism. They added that the
same people working on the Initiative are also responsible
for ratifying the Nuclear Terrorism Convention. Therefore
Japan may not be able to provide a response by 29 September.
MOFA plans to have interagency discussions on GI starting 26
September. Japan reiterated that if it is unable to provide
comments by 29 September, it does not mean Japan does not
support the initiative.
4. MOFA's International Nuclear Energy Cooperation Division
Principal Deputy Director Zentaro Naganuma conveyed a message
that Japan is currently undertaking legal checks and measures
to ratify the Nuclear Terrorism Convention. Japanese Embassy
officials in the U.S. and Russia will be in contact with
their counterparts for further discussion. Japan welcomes
cooperation from the U.S. and Russia on this matter.
----------------------------
MOFA's Questions
----------------------------
5. In general, Japan's questions centered around the
Explanatory Notes to Statement of Principles and the Terms of
Reference for Implementation and Assessment. Their main
concerns were on member participation, financial obligations
and procedures for carrying out training exercises and/or
workshops.
A. What kind of representation is expected from other
initial partner nations? What will be the level of
participation from each partner nation? (NOTE: For example,
other government entities, specialists,
scientists/technicians, law enforcement)
B. Will inclusion/membership be limited to IAEA countries or
will the offer be open to others?
C. What distinction will be made between initial partner
nations and those countries which join after the Statement of
Principles has been endorsed?
D. What are the reactions or responses to this Initiative
from other countries? (NOTE: China was specifically
mentioned).
E. As Morocco is hosting the event, will Morocco become a
partner nation or only act an observer at the initial
meeting? If Morocco does becomes a partner, Japan needs a
statement to issue to the press, which explains the criteria
or requirements for becoming a partner nation and a
justification for Morocco's inclusion.
F. Under the second document entitled Explanatory Notes to
Statement of Principles referring to the subsection titled,
Activities, what is the difference between regular host
Global Initiative workshops and host Global Initiative
workshops, if any? In objectives 3, 4, 7, 8 regular is
mentioned. In objectives 1, 2, 5, 6 it is not.
G. Under the second document entitled Explanatory Notes to
Statement of Principles, referring to the subsection titled,
Authorities, what is the meaning of meets or exceeds legal
requirements? Japan is unclear of the meaning because the
Nuclear Terrorism Convention has not been ratified.
H. Will the training exercises mentioned in the Explanatory
Notes to Statement of Principles be similar to other
international cooperative training, such as PSI? Who will
fund the exercises? Will there be a joint or special fund?
If so, what are the plans for fund creation? Will there be
any expected financial obligations from the initial partner
nations?
I. Under the third document entitled Terms of Reference for
Implementation and Assessment referring to the subsection
titled Responsibilities of Initiative Participants, statement
number 3, what is meant by ensure adequate provision of
resources? Japan understands that contributions are
voluntary. However do resources mean financial resources? If
so, how much will each member be assessed? If resources are
not financial obligations, provide concrete information on
the kind of resources expected and/or anticipated.
J. Will the Terms of Reference for Implementation and
Assessment become a legally-binding document?
K. Please advise on briefing format for the 31 October
presentation given by expert-level I+G*le)2Qon physical
protection or its international role in combating terrorism?
Should Japan's announcement include any financial
commitments? If so, what amount?
----------------------------
Participants
----------------------------
6. Japanese participants included three members from MOFA's
International Nuclear Energy Cooperation Division:
Principal Deputy Director Zentaro Naganuma
Deputy Director Takayuki Kitagawa
Officer Toshio Kaneko
7. Other participants included:
Russian Embassy Political Officer Sergey I. Kuznetsov
American Embassy Science and Technical Affairs Officer Ayanna
Hobbs
SCHIEFFER