Cable No. 956, Ambassador Kiuchi to the Foreign Minister, 'Meeting of the Japanese Foreign Minister and the US Secretary of State (Kuala Lumpur)'

Number: R095965

Primary: North American Affairs Bureau Director-General

Sent: Malaysia, July 12, 1985, 20:10

Received: MOFA, July 12, 1985, 21:18

To: Foreign Minister     

From: Ambassador Kiuchi

Meeting of the Japanese Foreign Minister and the US Secretary of State (Kuala Lumpur)

No. 956 Secret Top Urgent

(Limited Distribution)

Re: Outgoing Telegram 951 Separate Telegram 1 (Opening Remarks)

1. Minister Abe began his remarks by saying that he understood Secretary Shultz’s concern in handling the TWA Incident, expressing his condolences for the victims of the incident, and stating that he was praying for the release as soon as possible of the seven Americans held hostage separately. Furthermore, he remarked that he would like to express his gratitude for the US side’s close communication in advance regarding such issues as the US-Soviet summit, the problem of observing SALT II, and the TWA Incident. Minister Abe remarked that our side had been informed about the information obtained and that we wished to continue such exchanges of information.

2. In response, Secretary Shultz said that information exchange was valuable and that he was deeply grateful for Minister Abe’s remarks on the hostage situation. In addition, he said that he could not thank Minister Abe enough for his great help in acting as mediator with Majlis Speaker Rafsanjani.

3. Minister Abe replied that he did not know how much of a help he had been but that, when he made his appeal, Majlis Speaker Rafsanjani said that he had “made a request of President Assad.” He said that he did not know the extent to which it was true but would like to confirm it on his upcoming visit to Syria and would inform the Secretary of what he had learned. Secretary Shultz said that he looked forward to hearing from the Minister and again spoke of how he thought that the Minister’s acting as intermediary had had a very important impact.

Passed to United States, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, France (VVVVV). (End)