Cablegate: Ambassador Roos Discusses Basing Issues with Kanagawa

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OO RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #2108/01 2540409
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 110409Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6121
INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 6410
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 3776
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 8746
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 0225
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 6926

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 002108

DEPT FOR EAP/J

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON MARR PGOV PREL JA
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR ROOS DISCUSSES BASING ISSUES WITH KANAGAWA
GOVERNOR MATSUZAWA

1. (SBU) Summary: During a September 7 courtesy call with Kanagawa
Governor Shigefumi Matsuzawa, the Ambassador said there would be no
renegotiation of the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA),
and stated the USG implements the higher of the U.S. or Japanese
standards on environmental protection and clean up at the bases.
Matsuzawa reiterated his support for DPRI, and stressed the
importance of implementing the realignment plan, as agreed. Lastly,
the Ambassador said he would assist in scheduling meetings for
Matsuzawa and Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima for their November
5-6 visit to Washington, D.C. End Summary.

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES
-----------------------
2. (SBU) Governor Matsuzawa prominently displayed the memorabilia
from his trip to Washington, D.C. for President Obama's inauguration
for the meeting, and he talked effusively about his time at the
event. Matsuzawa said the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is
looking forward to working with the Democratic Administration in the
U.S. The Ambassador told him that the U.S. Government appreciates
his positive efforts and support for Defense Policy Review
Initiative (DPRI) and the other moving pieces (air wing relocation)
and requested that he continue positively advising his DPJ
colleagues. Matsuzawa said he would continue to advise his DPJ
colleagues on the benefits of DPRI, but had three issues he needed
to discuss: (1) SOFA renegotiation or conclusion of a Special
Measures Agreement (SMA) on environmental issues; (2) his upcoming
November trip to the U.S. with Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima;
and (3) holding the second consultative meeting on base issues
before the end of the year.

SOFA RENEGOTIATION - A FIRM "NO"
-------------------------------
3. (SBU) In response to Matsuzawa's suggestion that the U.S.-Japan
SOFA be renegotiated or a Special Measures Agreement (SMA) be
concluded to address environmental concerns, the Ambassador told the
Governor that there is no need to revise the SOFA. The U.S.-Japan
SOFA is being actively interpreted and its application improved
through the Joint Committee and works well for both our countries.
He added that the U.S. Government upholds the highest standard on
environmental protection and clean up. He noted that the USG
applies the Joint Committee agreement which allows for the stricter
law or regulation between the U.S. and Japan if an environmental
incident were to occur on a U.S. base in Japan. The Ambassador
stressed that he wants good communication with the Governor and the
cities of Kanagawa, broad local-level interaction, because these
groups' views are important and he is personally sympathetic to the
importance these groups place on these issues.

NOVEMBER VISIT TO WASHINGTON
----------------------------
4. (SBU) As to Matsuzawa's and Nakaima's trip to the U.S. scheduled
for November 5-6, the Governor requested the Ambassador's assistance
in organizing meetings at the Departments of State and Defense, with
members of Congress, with key think tanks and academics. He added
that they would like to call on President Obama, if possible. The
Ambassador told the Governor the embassy would assist in scheduling
meetings, but stressed he can only pass the Governor's request for a
meeting with the President to the NSC and that he could not speak
for the President's time. Matsuzawa appreciated the candor on this
request.

DPRI
----
5. (SBU) Matsuzawa noted that he saw two challenges ahead on DPRI.
He said the first issue would be in getting the DPJ on board the
realignment plan, in particular FRF. He also expressed his concern
on the delay in identifying a permanent FCLP site. Matsuzawa
reiterated his support for the realignment plan and stressed the
importance of implementing the plan "thoroughly, as agreed, and as
scheduled." He added that the realignment plan was a
government-to-government agreement, and not an agreement made with
the LDP. He added that as a former DPJ Lower House member, he still
has many friends in the party and hopes to use his weight in
convincing the DPJ to move forward with the realignment programs.
The Ambassador thanked the Governor for his positive efforts and
support.

SECOND LIAISON MEETING BY YEAR'S END?
-------------------------------------
6. (SBU) Governor Matsuzawa was very appreciative of former
Ambassador Schieffer's efforts to organize the first Liaison Meeting
between the USG-USFJ-GOJ and Governors Association to discuss basing
issues. He asked that the Ambassador assist in scheduling the
second Liaison Meeting before the end of the year. The Ambassador

TOKYO 00002108 002 OF 002

pledged to help try and schedule the meeting before the end of the
year because he views this communication as critical, and because he
believes these consultations produce results. The meetings need to
continue so that we facilitate open communication among the four
groups.

APEC AND EMBASSY-KANAGAWA TIES
------------------------------
7. (SBU) Matsuzawa was very pleased the first meeting and told the
Ambassador would like to organize a helicopter tour of Kanagawa
Prefecture, including a lunch stop at his favorite, secluded
restaurant in Hakone and an aerial tour of the APEC sites for 2010.
The Ambassador agreed to this proposal to strengthen the personal
relationship, and stressed he wants to do all he can to ensure APEC
2010 is a success and builds momentum for APEC 2011 in the United
States.

ROOS

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