Cable No. 390, Foreign Minister to the Charge d'Affaires in Syria [Tsujita], 'Problem of the Release of the American Hostages (Dispatch of Prime Minister’s Special Envoy)'

Number: 065531-001

Draft Telegram

Drafted:  July 31, 1985

Primary: Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau Director-General

To: Charge d’Affaires to Syria Tsujita      

From: Foreign Minister

Problem of the Release of the American Hostages (Dispatch of Prime Minister’s Special Envoy)

No. 390 Secret Urgent (Priority Processing)

(Limited Distribution)

Re: Outgoing Telegram No. 380

1. On the 31^st, Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau Director-General Miyake asked Syrian Ambassador to Japan Atassi to come see him. Having started the meeting in describing the contents of the referenced outgoing telegram, Bureau Director-General Miyake said that the dispatch of Special Envoy Nakayama was something that Prime Minister Nakasone had decided on his own initiative after receiving Minister Abe’s report on his visit to the Middle East. Along with informing Ambassador Atassi concerning the Special Envoy’s schedule that preparations were being made to visit Syria around August 10-12 following his visit to Iran, Bureau-Director Miyake requested the Ambassador’s cooperation in realizing meetings with President Assad and Foreign Minister Shara.

2. In reply, Ambassador Atassi said that he would convey the above without delay to his home government.

(End)