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C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 002911 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SCA BOUCHER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/25/2011 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER LK JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN REP AKASHI PREVIEWS CO-CHAIRS MEETING 
 
 
Classified By: DCM Joe Donovan.  Reason: 1.4 (b)(d). 
 
¶1. (C) Summary.  Japan Representative for Sri Lanka 
Peace-Building Akashi told the DCM on May 24 that the May 30 
Co-Chair Meeting in Tokyo comes at a crucial point in the 
peace process and expressed hope that it will be a 
comprehensive meeting leading to a consensus on the way 
forward.  Both the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE have 
issues to address, and while the government should be held to 
policies that will not further alienate the Tamil population, 
the LTTE should be urged to choose diplomacy over military 
actions, he said.  Commenting on FM Samaraweera's recent 
visit to Tokyo, Akashi said the Sri Lanka government now 
appears to have high expectations for the upcoming Co-Chairs 
Meeting.  Akashi believes the Co-Chairs should discuss the 
role of other, non-Co-Chair countries, particularly India, 
Canada and the UK.  He expressed appreciation for the U.S. 
role and the value of U.S.-Japan collaboration within the 
Co-Chairs setting.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (C) The DCM called on Yasushi Akashi, Representative of 
the Government of Japan on Peace-Building, Rehabilitation and 
Reconstruction in Sri Lanka, on May 24 to learn Japan's 
positions prior to the May 30 Co-Chairs Meeting that Akashi 
will host in Tokyo.  Akashi praised the U.S.' "important" 
involvement, and said the peace process is now at a "critical 
point."  Akashi said the April 28 Oslo Co-Chairs Meeting had 
produced a very short joint statement, but he hoped the Tokyo 
meeting would conduct a "serious, comprehensive 
stock-taking."  He wants participants to evaluate what has 
been achieved -- and not achieved -- and then chart a future 
course.  Both the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE have 
responsibilities to assume, he stated, and meeting 
participants will consider both "hard" and "soft" options 
that could affect the situation.  The group may also consider 
financial control measures and arms import restrictions to 
Tamil controlled areas. 
 
¶3. (C) Since the Oslo meeting, Japan has been encouraging 
India, with its relatively strong influence in Sri Lanka, to 
play a greater role in the Sri Lanka peace process, Akashi 
said.  It is up to India to decide what role it can play, he 
suggested, adding he understood that India did not want to 
identify itself as a full Co-Chair member.  Akashi hopes 
India will become more involved not only at the Tokyo 
meeting, but beyond, and said that based on his talks with FM 
Saran and NSA Narayanan, he believes New Delhi is seriously 
considering a larger role.  Akashi also hopes the Co-Chairs 
will consider broadening the contact group to include other 
countries with possible influence, citing the UK and Canada, 
which have relatively large Tamil populations, as candidates 
to play a greater part.  Akashi said he believes the 
Co-Chairs group needs to remain loose and flexible in order 
to remain effective. 
 
¶4. (C) Akashi feels civil organizations can play an 
influential role in Sri Lanka, and said he makes a point of 
visiting with one or two NGOs each time he visits.  Noting 
Japan and Sri Lanka's shared Buddhist heritage, he said Japan 
is encouraging Japanese Buddhist organizations to engage with 
moderate counterparts in Sri Lanka, in an effort to isolate 
extremist Buddhist groups. 
 
¶5. (C) Asked to provide a readout of FM Samaraweera's May 
17-21 visit to Tokyo, Akashi replied that the Sri Lanka 
government appears to have high expectations for the upcoming 
Co-Chairs Meeting.  The government is frustrated with its 
inability to persuade the LTTE to return to the negotiating 
table, and also frustrated by the LTTE's armed attacks.  The 
Government of Sri Lanka would like to see other countries 
with large Tamil populations designate the LTTE as a 
terrorist organization, as the U.S. has done.  Then the 
international community could take measures to stop financial 
contributions, which enable the LTTE to purchase arms. 
Although FM Samaraweera conveyed the government's willingness 
to abolish certain discriminatory policies, Akashi said the 
Co-Chairs should encourage it to go further so that Tamils 
inside and outside the country see the government's gesture 
of lifting restrictions as the way for moving forward. 
 
¶6. (C) Summing up his analysis on the situation in Sri Lanka 
following the Co-Chairs meeting, Akashi said he hoped the 
LTTE would be persuaded that diplomacy is its best option and 
end its armed struggle.  However, Akashi said he was familiar 
with the LTTE's past behavior and preferences, and admitted 
his thinking might be wishful.  "This is our strong hope," he 
said, "whether the LTTE will give up arms remains to be seen." 
SCHIEFFER