Cablegate: Japan to Extend Self Defense Force Participation

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PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKO #3505 2130729
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 010729Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6016
INFO RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY 0317
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 8144
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY 0258
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RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 5229

UNCLAS TOKYO 003505

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MOPS IS SY JA KPKO
SUBJECT: JAPAN TO EXTEND SELF DEFENSE FORCE PARTICIPATION
IN GOLAN HEIGHTS OBSERVER FORCE

1. (U) Japan decided July 31 to extend Japan Self Defense
Force (JSDF) participation in the U.N. Disengagement Observer
Force in the Golan Heights (UNDOF) for an additional six
months ending March 31, 2008, according to press reports
confirmed by MOFA contacts. The decision was made in
response to a July 20 UNSC decision to extend the mandate of
UNDOF for another six months.

2. (U) Japan has been providing rear area support to UNDOF by
sending Ground Self Defense Force (GSDF) units and other
personnel to take part in transport operations and road
repair work since February 1996. In addition, the Air Self
Defense Force (ASDF) has been supporting the GSDF with
occasional airlifts of food and other supplies with its C-130
transports, although the ASDF is not a member of UNDOF.

3. (U) The decision to extend JSDF participation was based on
the understanding that Japan, as a member of the
international community, should continue making contributions
toward the achievement of peace in the Middle East, according
to MOFA Foreign Policy Bureau's Peacekeeping Operations
Office.
SCHIEFFER

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