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FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
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RUEHML/AMEMBASSY MANILA 1511
RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 7464
RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 4776
RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI 0046
RUEHZS/ASEAN COLLECTIVE
RHMCSUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0561

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 TOKYO 000153 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR ISN, ISN/RA BEISECKER, EAP/J 
STATE PASS DOE FOR NA-20 Ken Baker, NA-21 Andrew Bienowski, NA-24 
Mark Whitney, NE-6 Ed McGinnis, NE-54 Carter Savage 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KNNP PUNE PARM PREL ETTC JA
SUBJECT: Japan Hosts Sixth Asian Senior-Level Talks on 
Non-Proliferation (ASTOP) 
 
TOKYO 00000153  001.2 OF 006 
 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY. 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary and Comment:  The government of Japan hosted the 
sixth meeting of the Asian Senior-Level Talks on Non-Proliferation 
(ASTOP) December 11, 2009.  Sixteen countries from the Asia-Pacific 
region and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) were 
represented.  The U.S. delegation (USDel) was pleased with the level 
of participation and degree of preparedness of participants in a 
wide range of discussions on nonproliferation-related topics, 
including North Korea and UNSCR 1874, nuclear security, and the 
Iranian nuclear issue.  USG participation in and support for ASTOP 
helps achieve regional nonproliferation objectives and should be 
continued.  In tandem with the newly-created Intersessional Meeting 
on Nonproliferation and Disarmament in the ASEAN Regional Forum, 
ASTOP provides a useful forum to engage ASEAN members in particular 
on a broad range of nonpro issues.  In addition, our support of 
ASTOP serves to cultivate Japanese leadership in the region on 
nonproliferation issues.  End Summary and Comment. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) The sixth annual meeting of the Asian Senior-Level Talks 
on Non-Proliferation (ASTOP) was held in Tokyo on December 11, 2009. 
 With the exception of China and Canada, which were represented by 
Japan-assigned diplomats, participants at the DAS/AS level from 
Australia, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, New 
Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the United States, 
Vietnam, and Japan came well prepared to engage substantively.  Only 
the Brunei delegation remained silent during the full-day event. 
Indonesia had been invited, but did not attend.  USDel, led by 
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Nonproliferation Policy and 
Negotiations C. S. Eliot Kang, participated in discussions that 
covered North Korea and Iran, peaceful uses of nuclear energy, 
proliferation security, and the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty 
(NPT). 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs 
Shuji Kira delivered opening remarks in which he noted the global 
expansion in peaceful uses of nuclear energy and the need to 
maintain the non-proliferation regime.  He referenced the challenges 
of North Korea and Iran, and called on the international community 
to agree on a clear and unified path forward.  Meeting Chair 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Director General for Disarmament, 
Non-Proliferation, and Science Toshio Sano began the day's 
discussions by describing developments since 2003, when the first 
ASTOP meeting was held.  He highlighted the strengthening of 
sanctions against the North Korean regime, and the renewal of doubts 
about Iran's peaceful intentions as a result of the Qom disclosure. 
 
----------- 
North Korea 
----------- 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Wang Tianling, Counselor from the Chinese Embassy in 
Tokyo, delivered a perfunctory presentation (which he translated 
from the original Chinese text) on North Korea, in which he noted 
the desire of all parties to resume Six-Party Talks and expressed 
China's hope for progress on denuclearization.  Wang stressed three 
goals: to strive for an early resumption of Six-Party Talks, to 
maintain the peace and stability of Northeast Asia, and to respect 
the security interests of all parties while undertaking 
implementation of UNSC resolutions. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) Tsuotomu Koizumi, Director of the Non-Proliferation, 
 
TOKYO 00000153  002.2 OF 006 
 
 
Science, and Nuclear Energy Division in the Japanese Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs expressed full agreement on the necessity of a 
peaceful solution on the Korean peninsula, but asserted that North 
Korea's return to the negotiating table should be a start to the 
process, and not a reason to grant any concessions.  DAS Kang gave a 
read out of Ambassador Bosworth's just-completed visit to the DPRK. 
He noted that the purpose of Ambassador Bosworth's visit was to 
facilitate the resumption of Six-Party Talks and to reaffirm the 
goal of implementing the September 2005 Joint Statement, and 
emphasized that our bilateral engagement itself takes place in the 
context of the Six-Party framework. 
 
---------- 
UNSCR 1874 
---------- 
 
¶6.  (SBU) Ambassador Mario Lopez De Leon,Jr., Chief Coordinator in 
the Office of the Secretary, Philippine Department of Foreign 
Affairs, delivered remarks on the Philippines implementation of 
UNSCR 1874 sanctions on North Korea.  De Leon described Philippine 
efforts to comply with the resolution and the challenges faced by an 
archipelagic nation in dealing with maritime cargo inspections.  In 
particular, De Leon noted the need for equipment and related 
training in order to enhance capacity for cargo identification as 
well as technical training on enforcement of existing regulations. 
ISN/ECC Director Justin Friedman responded with a brief outline of 
our extensive, collaborative, capacity-building efforts under the 
EXBS program. 
 
¶7.  (SBU) Anuson Chinvanno, Director-General of the Department of 
International Organizations in the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 
 expressed Thailand's ambition to comply with 1874 as fully as 
possible, but noted the importance of sharing accurate information 
and raised concerns about shipment inspections and liability. 
(Note: this event occurred before the Thai seizure in Bangkok of an 
aircraft carrying North Korean arms.  End Note.)  Specifically, 
Anuson asked who bears liability should an inspection fail to turn 
up any contraband.  In response, the U.S and other delegations 
highlighted the importance of clarifying national law to provide 
customs officials the proper protections and authorities to 
undertake inspections. 
 
¶8.  (SBU) Shin Dong-ik, Director-General of the Bureau of 
International Organizations of the South Korean Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs and Trade, argued that implementation of 1874 was going well 
but urged all transshipment countries to remain vigilant and respond 
to reasonable and credible information.  Shin also raised the issue 
of inspection cost, and suggested that while it generally expected 
the inspecting country to bear the costs, in cases where countries 
make requests of each other for inspections, perhaps the requesting 
country could share the cost of the inspection.  Shazryll bin 
Zahiran, Principal Assistant Secretary of the Nuclear Disarmament 
and Non-Proliferation Division in the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs, then asked about best practices related to inspecting and 
seizing cargo as well as how best to dispose of seized cargo. 
 
----------------------- 
Iranian Nuclear Program 
----------------------- 
 
¶9.  (SBU) DAS Kang gave a presentation describing recent 
developments on the Iran nuclear issue, including an update on 
 
TOKYO 00000153  003.2 OF 006 
 
 
centrifuges and uranium enrichment, details on the status of the 
IAEA investigation, and a summary of existing UNSC resolutions. 
Gerry McGuire, Director of the Counter-Proliferation Section in the 
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, followed the 
U.S. presentation by detailing the requirements of each of the 
Security Council resolutions on Iran, and describing Australia's 
efforts to implement them. 
 
¶10.  (SBU) To Anh Tuan, Assistant Director General for the 
Department of International Organizations in the Vietnamese Ministry 
of Foreign Affairs, stated Vietnam's desire for a peaceful 
resolution to the Iranian issue, but noted the differences between 
Iranian words and actions.  DAS Kang urged that international 
solidarity is vital for dealing with Iran and that those countries 
within the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) interested in peaceful nuclear 
development should not allow Iran to be the messenger for them on 
nuclear issues.  Tint Swai, Deputy Director-General of the ASEAN 
Affairs Department in the Burmese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 
stressed the need to integrate both Iran and the DPRK into the 
international community. 
 
¶11. (SBU) Ambassador De Leon of the Philippines expressed concerns 
about how Iranian withdrawal from the NPT could negatively affect 
the NPT Review Conference.  De Leon cautioned that Iran's views on 
peaceful use of nuclear power would have extra weight as it was 
currently on the NAM troika. 
 
-------------------------- 
IAEA & Additional Protocol 
-------------------------- 
 
¶12.  (SBU) Attendees discussed the importance of the IAEA Additional 
Protocol (AP) and efforts to universalize adoption.  DG Anuson of 
Thailand noted that the AP has essentially become a requirement for 
any country to build a nuclear power plant, but challenges for 
universalization remain.  He asked what incentives the international 
community could use to get countries to adopt the protocol, and 
whether it should be made an obligation under the NPT.  Delegations 
debated whether concerns about cost, lack of technical capacity, or 
invasiveness prevented countries from bringing APs into force.  Laos 
raised concerns that an AP provided no clear benefits for states 
without nuclear programs.  DAS Kang, supported by the Singaporean 
del, responded that whether to adopt the AP should not be viewed as 
simply a question of benefit, but rather as a necessary obligation 
for all sovereign states and important for the establishment of 
regional norms.  Todd Perry, Manager of NNSA's International 
Nonproliferation Export Control Program, noted the United States was 
prepared to provide technical assistance as necessary. 
 
¶13.  (SBU)  After a presentation by the IAEA on the Agency's 
activities in the Asia-Pacific region, DG Shin from South Korea 
asked a question about the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle. 
Shin, arguing that pyroprocessing is safe and proliferation 
resistant, asked whether the IAEA considers pyroprocessing to be a 
form of reprocessing.  The IAEA delegate noted that the IAEA does 
consider it reprocessing, and is currently training IAEA staff to 
better understand pyroprocessing technologies. 
 
-------------- 
Nuclear Energy 
-------------- 
 
 
TOKYO 00000153  004.2 OF 006 
 
 
¶14.  (SBU)  Sueo Machi, a GOJ science advisor and former 
commissioner of Japan's Atomic Energy Commission, delivered a 
presentation on nuclear energy, in which he highlighted the role of 
nuclear energy in mitigating global warming and promoting energy 
security, two important GOJ objectives.  He noted Japan's low CO2 
emission per GDP, which he attributed to energy conservation and 
nuclear power.  In subsequent discussions, DDG Tuan of Vietnam 
reiterated that while Vietnam supports non-proliferation, the right 
to peaceful uses of nuclear energy must be maintained.  Tuan 
expressed appreciation for IAEA assistance in the areas of planning 
and regulatory reform, and noted future need for training of 
personnel, improved safety measures, and assistance setting up a 
nuclear regulatory agency. 
 
---------------- 
Nuclear Security 
---------------- 
 
¶15.  (SBU) DAS Kang led a discussion on nuclear security, covering 
the Nuclear Security Summit, the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear 
Terrorism (GICNT), and UNSCR 1540.  Kang noted the need for 
countries to come to a common understanding of the threat posed by 
nuclear terrorism, and to agree to effective preventative measures. 
He told participants that the United States and Russia as co-chairs 
of the GICNT are working to revise the terms of reference for the 
Initiative, and described some proposed changes such as a rotating 
chairmanship, a voting mechanism, and working groups. 
 
¶16. (SBU) DG Anuson of Thailand, noting the UNSCR 1540 Comprehensive 
Review, expressed his hope that next year's report on implementation 
reflects the importance of capacity building of human resources and 
the need for technical equipment.  Anuson also observed that to 
date, 1540 implementation discussion had focused almost exclusively 
on nuclear nonproliferation and urged that more consideration be 
given to chemical and biological controls. 
 
--------------------------------- 
Proliferation Security Initiative 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶17.  (SBU) Low Chian Siong, Branch Head for Policy in the 
Singaporean Ministry of Defense, and DG Shin of South Korea led 
discussion on the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI).  Low 
presented on Singapore's recent Deep Sabre II Workshop, which 
involved 11 participants and 10 observers.  Low described 
Singapore's joining of the PSI, a fact welcomed by several 
delegations, and announced that it would host both a regional PSI 
workshop in the second half of 2010, and the Plenary for the Global 
Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) in 2011.   During 
discussions, Joseph Peter Ballard, Policy Officer in the 
International Security and Disarmament Division in the New Zealand 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, identified New Zealand's PSI 
priorities as broadening cooperation, increasing communication 
between members, and encouraging greater regional involvement. 
 
--------------------- 
NPT Review Conference 
--------------------- 
 
¶18.  (SBU) MOFA Director for Arms Control and Disarmament Hideo 
Suzuki delivered Japan's presentation on the Non-Proliferation 
Treaty (NPT) and the 2010 NPT Review Conference (RevCon).  He 
 
TOKYO 00000153  005.2 OF 006 
 
 
focused on the importance of ensuring an outcome that will maintain 
and strengthen the NPT regime. 
 
¶19.  (SBU) Suzuki identified three main objectives for Japan: 
progressing on all three pillars in a balanced manner, contributing 
to the conference by playing a bridging role between interests, and 
reaching an agreement on forward-looking measures to strengthen the 
NPT regime.  As specific action items, he suggested members should 
discuss a consultation mechanism on withdrawal, and revise the 13 
practical steps from the 2000 NPT RevCon. 
 
¶20.  (SBU) Deborah Paul, Political Counselor for the local Canadian 
Embassy, noted Canada's high expectations for this RevCon, and 
described Canada's goal as a substantive and balanced outcome 
document.  Paul suggested that the RevCon will have to address the 
various fuel supply initiatives under discussion.  Finally, Paul 
noted Canada's intent to advocate for a non-discriminatory set of 
criteria by the Nuclear Suppliers Group that does not prohibit 
countries with exemplary non-proliferation credentials from 
acquiring enrichment and reprocessing technologies.  Mr. Ballard 
from New Zealand urged more concrete progress on disarmament in the 
lead up to the RevCon. 
 
--------------------- 
Bilateral Discussions 
--------------------- 
 
¶21. (SBU) During bilateral discussions on the margins of ASTOP with 
ADG Tuan from Vietnam, DAS Kang urged Vietnam to play a larger role 
in the Non-Aligned Movement's proceedings on nonproliferation.  Kang 
expanded that the NAM was in need of voices of moderation and 
pragmatism, especially in light of Egypt and Iran's posturing and 
the upcoming 2010 NPT Review Conference.  Tuan opined Vietnam had 
engaged some on the DPRK issue, but stated Vietnam was a "small 
country" and not a strong voice in many NAM discussions.  Tuan 
stated he would forward the U.S. message to Hanoi and relevant 
embassies. 
 
¶22. (SBU) During lunch discussions with Kang, PAS Shazryll from 
Malaysia stated that the Malaysian government is currently reviewing 
its general approach to nonproliferation.  He confided that the MFA 
was taken off guard by the PM Office's reaction to Malaysian Perm 
Rep Arshad's negative vote on the Iran issue at the November IAEA 
Board of Governors (BOG) meeting.  [Note:  Malaysia was one of only 
three countries to vote against the Iran resolution at the November 
IAEA BOG.  The Malaysian government issued a press statement in 
December declaring that the vote was not in accordance with 
government procedures and recalled Ambassador Arshad back to Kuala 
Lumpur.  End note.] 
 
¶23. (SBU) In a separate conversation with ECC Director Friedman, 
Shazryll said that Malaysia was ready to work more actively with the 
United States on export control capacity building through the EXBS 
program.  He cautioned that a proposed January date for a commodity 
identification training (CIT) program would be difficult, as the 
Malasian interagency was moving slowly in lining up the right 
participants.  He suggested March would be better timing for the 
GoM. 
 
¶24. (SBU) Shazryll-the GoM point of contact on export 
controls-complained that international donors were flooding Malaysia 
with offers of "best practice" training and it was difficult to sort 
 
TOKYO 00000153  006.2 OF 006 
 
 
out which would be best.  Friedman suggested that the GoM call a 
donors conference to show leadership on the issue and set priorities 
for the donor community to fill in a coordinated fashion.  Shazryll 
said that he will be moving on to a new assignment in the next six 
months.  Friedman suggested that he focus his efforts on developing 
a capacity development implementation plan that his successor could 
take up to prevent any unnecessary delay in capacity development 
during the job handover. 
 
¶25.  (U) This cable was cleared with the delegation subsequent to 
its return to Washington. 
 
ROOS