Cable No. 1206 from Ambassador Nonoyama Tadayuki (Jordan) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, 'Prime Minister Kaifu’s Meeting With First Deputy Prime Minister Ramadan (2 of 2)'

Secret

Telegraphic Copy                                                                    [blacked out]

Prime Minister Kaifu’s Meeting With First Deputy Prime Minister Ramadan (2 of 2)

No. 1206         Secret  Top Urgent      [blacked out]

(Outgoing telegram 1205 a divided telegram)

3. In reply, the Prime Minister responded as follows:

(1) I had been aware of the thinking of your country (Iraq), but today I have had the opportunity to hear that position once again. There are various things that I would like to say but, given the time constraints, I would like to state Japan’s position. Whatever the reason or background, Japan cannot accept the settlement of problems by armed force. I would like you to understand that it is not only the United States but nearly all countries, that make this argument. At a time when the international community is searching for a new order, Japan wishes for your country to hold dear the sentiment that your country would not become the one to start a war and would work in a steadfast way for a peaceful settlement. For that purpose, Japan wishes for Iraq, on the basis of the United Nations resolutions, to withdraw from Kuwait, restore Kuwait’s legitimate government, give all the foreign “hostages” the freedom to leave the country, and aim for the development of the situation. In particular, Japan wishes you to think about those Japanese citizens whom you are detaining, who have contributed to your country’s development and devoted themselves to the development of relations between our two countries. Japan wishes you to make a courageous decision for the sake of fundamentally resolving the issue.

(2) Once the issue is settled, Japan can then make efforts for the settlement of the Middle East’s other issues. Having met you today, Deputy Prime Minister, I wanted to request of you a courageous decision from a high level regarding the peaceful settlement of the issue and the settlement of the “hostage” issue. I would like to continue from this point forward the dialogue between our two countries.

4. Ramadan said the following:

(1) I appreciate your words, Prime Minister, on wishing to continue a political dialogue. Continuing a dialogue will bring better results. At any level, at any time, engaging in dialogue for a peaceful settlement is important. Since, if war were to happen, it would deliver a terrible blow not only to the Middle East but to the entire international community, and Japan in particular, I would like to continue the dialogue in order to avoid war at all costs.

(2) Iraq desires not war, but peace. If Iraq had wanted war, then there would have been no need to detain foreigners in order to prevent war.

I would like you to understand that our wishing to avoid war is Iraq’s sincere wish.

If you say that the release of the detained foreigners is so important, then what do you think of the present circumstances under which 18 million Iraqi citizens are suffering from a lack of food? The present United Nations resolutions, which do not allow the export of food to Iraq, are truly inhumane acts.

(3) You say that it would be fine to settle the other issues once we settle the issue of Kuwait, but why do the issues of Palestine and Lebanon come after that of Kuwait? Why is the Kuwait issue more important? Why do you not try to settle these issues together? For us Arabs and Muslims, Jerusalem is millions of times more important than Kuwait. Why can we not discuss these issues together at one table? Kuwait, with its oil, must be more important than Jerusalem for the United States, but Jerusalem is more important for us. I would like to discuss these questions in future dialogue.

(4) As President Mitterand said, carrying out the withdrawal of various troops from the region of the Middle East would be considered both important and fair. I am pleased to be able to confirm that dialogue with your country will continue. There is a great divergence of views between Japan and Iraq, but dialogue regarding the issue of the Gulf crisis and bilateral relations is meaningful.

5. In conclusion, the Prime Minister said the following and ended the meeting:

Japan, too, would like to work toward a peaceful settlement of the issue. Japan would like Iraq, standing on the basic principle of the international community, to stop preventing foreigners, against their will, from leaving the country and to let them go as quickly as possible. As I said before, Japan would like Iraq to make a courage decision to find a way to resolve the situation and, with that, we hope that there will be created an atmosphere to make possible the discussion of other issues. For that, Japan would like you to make a decision from a high perspective and return the situation to where it was before August 2. Continuing to value dialogue with your country, I would like to strive even more for the peace settlement of the issue.

Passed to diplomatic missions in Iraq, Egypt, Iran, Syria, Morocco, Israel, Yemen, Tunisia, Algeria, Gulf Cooperation Council (except for Kuwait), the United States, France, Britain, the Soviet Union, China, and the United Nations. Request that you pass telegram to other diplomatic missions that you find relevant. (End)