Cable No. 6164, Ambassador Matsunaga to the Foreign Minister, 'Problem of the Release of the American Hostages'

Number: R111223

Primary: Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau Director-General

Sent: United States, August 15, 1985, 22:24

Received: MOFA, August 16, 1985, 11:25

To: The Foreign Minister      

From: Ambassador Matsunaga

Problem of the Release of the American Hostages

No. 6164 Secret Top Urgent

(Limited Distribution)

Re: Your Telegram, Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau Director-General’s Telegram No. 4138

1. On the 15^th, I gave a briefing by telephone on the meetings of Special Envoy Nakayama with government leaders in Iran and Syria to Presidential Assistant McFarlane, who is staying in Santa Barbara, California, with President Reagan.  I also requested that he convey the briefing to President Reagan. The other side’s response is as follows below.

(1) I am happy that you contacted us. The Government of Japan is most kind. Also, I am profoundly grateful for your government’s taking prompt action. I will contact the President immediately. I think that the President will tell me to convey to you that he, too, is profoundly grateful.

(2) Having heard you speak, I have the sense that Iran and Syria have a strong confidence in Japan. Please let us know of any progress from this point onward.

(3) In addition, and I ask that you not tell others, according to indications from Israel, the plan is for the remaining hostages to be released by September 10.

2. Regarding 1. (3) above, the other side having stressed their desire to strictly limit this information to the Government of Japan, I request that care be taken in its handling.  (End)