JAPAN, PRC, ROK TRILATERAL FOREIGN MINISTERS DISCUSS DPRK, REGIONAL COOPERATION

CONFIDENTIAL C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 002532 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/06/2016 TAGS: PREL, ECON, KS, CH, JA SUBJECT: JAPAN, PRC, ROK TRILATERAL FOREIGN MINISTERS DISCUSS DPRK, REGIONAL COOPERATION Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer. Reasons 1.4 (B) (D) 1. (C) Summary. During the June 3 trilateral foreign ministers' meeting attended by officials from Japan, South Korea and the PRC, all three parties agreed on the need for an early resolution to the Banco Delta Asia (BDA) issue, MOFA contacts told Embassy Tokyo Political Officer June 5. Japan FM Aso stressed that North Korea would need to demonstrate a sincere attitude toward resolution of the abduction issue in order to achieve a "break-through" in Japan-North Korea relations. ROK minister Song Min-soon said that, despite the "good signals" emanating from North-South relations, Seoul would "reserve its position" on providing food assistance to Pyongyang. End Summary. ------------ No Surprises ------------ 2. (C) The June 3 trilateral foreign ministers' meeting attended by Japanese FM Taro Aso, PRC FM Yang Jiechi, and ROK FM Song Min-soon on Cheju Island, South Korea took place at the initiative of the ROK, MOFA Asian Regional Policy Division Principal Deputy Director Yasuhiro Kobe told Embassy Tokyo Political Officer June 5. The ROK had suggested two months earlier that the three ministers take advantage of the previously scheduled Asian Cooperation Dialogue, currently underway in Seoul, to hold a separate trilateral discussion. Kobe said this had been the fourth time Japan, PRC, and ROK FM's had met, the most recent having occurred in January 2007 on the margins of the East Asia Summit in the Philippines. 3. (C) Kobe said that "there were no surprises" during the 90-minute meeting. Discussion centered on two major topics: 1) North Korea and 2) trilateral cooperation. ----------- North Korea ----------- 4. (C) Yang said that China welcomed recent progress in inter-Korean relations, including the establishment of North-South rail links and consultations at the ministerial level. The PRC promised to cooperate with the other countries involved in the Six-Party Talks to resolve problems associated with the transfer of DPRK funds from Banco Delta Asia (BDA). Beijing understands Japan's concern about the abduction issue, and hopes that Tokyo will resolve the issue through dialogue and by demonstrating patience. 5. (C) Aso stressed that the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula was a goal sought by the international community. Japan wanted to find a satisfactory resolution to the BDA issue. The three countries must urge the DPRK to implement the initial actions specified by the February 13 Six-Party agreement. Japan wants to develop "good" bilateral relations with Pyongyang, and hopes to make progress in the Six-Party process. However, North Korea would need to demonstrate a sincere attitude toward resolution of the abduction issue in order to achieve a "break-through" in Japan-North Korea relations. 6. (C) Song observed that North Korea must implement the Six-Party Joint Statement of September 19, 2005, as well as the February 13 agreement. South Korea hoped that the abduction issue would be resolved in the course of Japan-DPRK normalization talks taking place in the Six-Party working groups. Despite the "good signals" that had been transmitted in North-South relations, Seoul would "reserve its position" on providing food assistance to Pyongyang because the DPRK had not implemented the initial actions specified under the February 13 accord. On BDA, Song expressed regret that North Korea had not implemented the initial steps, and said he hoped that Six-Party participants would take "active measures" to resolve the issue. ---------------------- TRILATERAL COOPERATION TOKYO 00002532 002 OF 002 ---------------------- 7. (C) According to Kobe, the three men discussed ways to achieve progress in various areas. Discussion touched on nine points, in which the three countries: -- Expressed hope for the successful conclusion to the tripartite negotiations on an investment and promotion agreement. (Kobe said the countries recently undertook separate three-way bilateral negotiations on this subject.) -- Assigned a high value to a study undertaken by the private sector on the possibility of establishing a free trade agreement. -- Noted efforts to strengthen trilateral talks on energy security. -- Reviewed efforts to establish civilian air charter routes between Tokyo's Haneda and Shanghai airports, as well as between Seoul's Gimpo and Shanghai airports. -- Resolved to enhance cooperation on environmental issues, particularly problems associated with severe Chinese sandstorms that can cause health concerns in Japan and South Korea. -- Called for efforts to create a policy dialogue on measures regarding climate change. -- Agreed to promote cultural and youth exchange programs (high school and university students), as well as "consultations on an official level on concrete measures" that the three nations might take. -- Sought to promote exchanges among journalists. -- Looked to foster exchanges among "think tanks." SCHIEFFER