Cable No. 1465, Ambassador Sato to the Foreign Minister, 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (7th Meeting)'

Number: (TA) R054902     5423

Primary: Asian Affairs Bureau Director-General

Sent: China, July 31, 1978,  23:20

Received: MOFA, August 01, 1978,  00:28

To: The Foreign Minister      

From: Ambassador Sato

Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China Negotiations (7^th Meeting)

No. 1465 Secret Top Urgent

(Limited Distribution)

Outgoing Separate Telegram No. 1464

Today, I would like to talk about two things. I think that in the six meetings to date, particularly in the restricted meeting of the 28th,  it became clear that the focus of the issues lies in Sentence 1, Article 3, of the Japanese side’s draft, that is to say, the provision “This treaty is not directed against any specific third country.” This provision, as Vice Minister Han Nianlong knows, derives from Japan’s diplomatic posture, that is to say, from the posture that “Our country in fact maintains to the extent possible friendly relations with all countries of the world, except for those that would conduct hostile acts against us.” We appraise Vice Minister Han’s having said at the second meeting, in regard to the position of Japan’s diplomacy, that you understand Japan’s desire.

I would like you to understand that, so long as Japan holds firm to this position, Japan regards as necessary the insertion in some part of the treaty the idea of the sort in Sentence 1, Article 3.

I have been involved in these negotiations now for eight months. There have been various twists and turns, but on this occasion we have entered into intensive negotiations. The Japanese side, with instructions from the Prime Minister and the Foreign Ministry, has written into the treaty draft two points – we do not seek hegemony and are opposed to hegemony – in language nearly identical to that of the Joint Communique. The Japanese side thinks that it has done everything possible and would like, one way or another, to conclude the treaty.

I also understand well that Vice Minister Han has been involved in these treaty negotiations for more than three and a half years, has labored more than I have, wishes to conclude this treaty, and is making efforts towards this. What I now wish to request of you, Vice Minister Han, is some idea or suggestion from the Chinese side that takes into consideration Japan’s aforementioned position.

Second, and this is a point that I raised at the previous restricted meeting, is the issue of discussing provisions other than Article 3. The reasons that I raise this issue are, as I explained last time as well: one is from the viewpoint of promoting discussion and another is to report to Tokyo and to solidify Tokyo’s thinking. Concerning this issue, Vice Minister Han said at the last meeting that he fully understood my feeling. I now wish to ask once more now whether you are still thinking to indicate these provisions to discuss or points at issue.

(End)