Cable No. 706 from Ambassador Obara Takeshi (Oman) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, 'The Prime Minister’s Visit to Oman (Chat With Royal Advisor Al-Zawawi)'

Secret

Telegraphic Copy                    [blacked out]               04-046

The Prime Minister’s Visit to Oman (Chat With Royal Advisor Al-Zawawi)

No. 706                       Secret  Top Urgent       [blacked out]

On October 8, Omar Al-Zawawi, advisor to the Sultan, paid a courtesy call and talked for approximately 30 minutes with the Prime Minister in his lodgings while staying in Salalah. Following is a summary of its main points. (Those present were Owada Hisashi, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs; [Watanabe Makoto], Director General of the Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau; Orita Masaki, Secretary to the Prime Minister; and Obara Takeshi, Ambassador to Oman. Interpreter: Secretary Tsuruoka Koji.)

1. After the exchange of initial greetings, Al-Zawawi expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for keeping his promise (that the Prime Minister would visit Oman), made at the time of the April visit to Japan (the Prime Minister replied that he always kept his promises). After that, there was the following exchange regarding the situation in the Gulf and other issues.

(Al-Zawawi) It is welcome that Japan is increasing its interest in the Middle East. Among the Arabs there is a saying that goes, “Misfortune will turn to good fortune.” Japan’s deepening its interest will be important in the future shaping of the new international order. Prime Minister, I would like to ask how you view Japan’s role in the new international order.

(Prime Minister) I believe that the United Nations should be at the center of a future, entirely new international order. Japan to date has considered as primary its role as “a member of the West,” as a summit and G7 member in the context of the East-West conflict. From this point forward, however, I believe that, on the basis of United Nations principles, we should play a major role within the framework of the United Nations. Moreover, Japan has developed to date in an environment of world peace. I believe that we should cooperate henceforth as much as possible for the sake of world peace. Japan will contribute a maximum of two billion in such areas as cooperation in medical care, materials, and transport for activities to restore peace in the Middle East. We have also announced and are implementing a policy of contributing support of two billion dollars to the front-line countries that are suffering from the effects of the United Nations economic sanction measures. Japan’s new role is to play as much of a role as possible in peacekeeping operations other than those using military force. Also, going forward, we would like to establish international norms that do not recognize the use of military force to violate the sovereignty of another country.

(Al-Zawawi) With European Community (EC) unification also in mind, I would like to ask whether Japan henceforth will position itself as a member of the West or as a member of Asia.

(Prime Minister) Until now Japan, within the conflict between the two camps of liberalism and communism, has been a member of the West (liberalism). Now that the conflict has been resolved, our position and role henceforth as a member of the Asia-Pacific region will emerge. The international situation will henceforth develop centering on the relations between the regions of the United States, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific, and we have to build new relations of cooperation in this situation.

(Al-Zawawi) As Oman sees it, Japan seems to be increasing its political role, while limited militarily, in addition to its roles in the areas of industry and the economy.

2. The following exchange took place regarding relations between Japan and Oman.

(Prime Minister) I would like from this point forward to further seek in particular the promotion with Oman of relations with Japan, relations of mutual dependence, and mutual understanding. Yesterday I invited Sultan Qaboos to visit Japan at a time of his convenience between the autumn of 1991 and the spring of 1992.  I would like to have the support of Your Excellency, who knows much about Japan, to realize this visit to Japan.

(Al-Zawawi) I, too, welcome the invitation to visit Japan. I (Al-Zawawi) would like to work to realize this visit to Japan and contribute to our bilateral relations. This country’s ministers and dignitaries have long awaited your visit, Prime Minister, to Oman. I hope that it will be a fruitful one. Finally, I would like to ask for the Prime Minister’s support in approaching Japanese corporations. To date, there have been no contributions from Japanese corporations to the Japan-Oman Friendship Association.

(Prime Minister) In the Japanese private sector are companies, including the Japan Petroleum Exploration Company, Limited (JAPEX), that have relations of mutual dependence with Oman. There are also people who have an interest in Oman. I would like to convey your feelings to the Japanese business community and work myself from the side.

3. Finally, Al-Zawawi expressed his wish that the Prime Minister extend his best wishes to former Deputy Prime Minister Kanemaru and other Japanese friends. With that, he ended the chat.

Passed to Permanent Mission to the United Nations and diplomatic missions in the United States, and the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). (End)