Cablegate: Japan's Views On Nicaraguan Elections

VZCZCXYZ0003
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKO #3217 3260745
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 210745Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8982
INFO RUEHMU/AMEMBASSY MANAGUA PRIORITY 0140
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 2644

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 003217

SIPDIS

WHA/CEN FOR A. KRAAIMOORE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/21/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV JA NU
SUBJECT: JAPAN'S VIEWS ON NICARAGUAN ELECTIONS

REF: STATE 122262

Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer. Reasons 1.4 (B) (D)

1. (C) On November 21, Embassy Tokyo political officer
delivered reftel demarche regarding the Nicaraguan municipal
elections to MOFA Mexico, Central America and Caribbean
Division Principal Deputy Director Noritsugu Takahashi.
Takahasi, who said Japanese officials had already noted
remarks made by a United States government spokesperson,
described the position as "clear and straight-forward."
Tokyo agrees with the United States view "with regard to
basics and tone-setting," however the "main point is how to
do it - how to make it happen," he observed.

2. (C) Japan agrees with the concepts laid out in the
Declaracion de la Mesa de Cooperantes, Takahashi continued.
Two main principles of Tokyo's approach to Nicaragua are: a)
non-interference in Nicaragua's internal politics, and b)
promoting Nicaraguan democracy. Japanese officials would
find it difficult to violate those principles and at the same
time are looking to ways to "balance" the two.

3. (C) According to Takahashi, "Japan's behavior would follow
the majority view established by the major donors." The
Japanese government understands the United States plans to
work with involved organizations to craft an international
"voice" on Nicaragua. He concluded Japan would more likely
be willing to follow the United States lead.
SCHIEFFER

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