Special Envoy Nakayama’s Visit to Syria (Main Points of Remarks and Questions and Answers)

Confidential

Special Envoy Nakayama’s Visit to Syria

(Main Points of Remarks and Questions and Answers)

August 1985

(Contents)

I. Initial Remarks

II. Bilateral Relations

1. General Bilateral Relations

2. Relations: Economic and Technical Cooperation

3. Relations: Cultural Exchange

III. Situation in the Middle East

1. Problem of Peace in the Middle East

2. Iran-Iraq Conflict

IV. Problem of the Release of the Hostages (Separate Document)

[TN: crossed out: August 1, 1985, First Middle East Division]

I. Initial Remarks

It was a pleasure to have recently visited your country as the special envoy of Prime Minister Nakasone. I know that the recent visit of Minister Abe to your country was highly meaningful for the further development of our bilateral relations. I have been sent this time, following Minister Abe’s visit to the Middle East, to conduct exchanges of views with your country’s leaders regarding bilateral relations and the international situation.

II. Bilateral Relations

1. General Bilateral Relations

(Main Points of Remarks)

(1) There have always been friendly relations between Japan and Syria. Particularly with Foreign Minister Shara’s visit to Japan and Minister Abe’s recent visit to your country, relations of friendship and cooperation have greatly developed. With the cooperation of Your Excellencies as well, I hope for the further development of bilateral relations.

(2) Prime Minister Nakasone, too, intends to strive for the further development of bilateral relations.

2. Relations: Economic and Technical Cooperation

(1) Basic Policy

(Main Points of Remarks)

Our country’s intention, in light of friendly relations with your country, the role that your country plays in peace in the Middle East, and the greatness of your country’s development needs, is to promote henceforth as well economic and technical cooperation to the extent possible.

(2) Cooperative Relations: ODA Loans

(Main Points of Remarks)

(a) Minister Abe recently said that the 10.4 billion yen in mixed credits previously promised would be applied to the Substations Project (note below). I am aware that our two countries are now working on the details.

Note: Main Points of the Substations Project

This project, in order to address future increases in Syrian domestic demand for electric power, with planning under way for the construction of large-scale power plants for the present and the future, three substations (400/230 kV) will be constructed: in Adra (outside of Damascus), Hama, and Aleppo. In addition, the power transmission lines are being built with the cooperation of Czechoslovakia.

In addition, the breakdown is yen credits of 3.64 billion yen, at an interest rate of 4 percent, over 25 (7) years and export credits of 6.76 billion yen, at an interest rate of 6.3 percent, over 10 (2) years. (The years between parentheses are the grace periods. )

(b) Concerning the new yen credits, I am aware that our side has started to positively consider the Baniyas Power Station Project, which the Syrian side made its priority at the time of Minister Abe’s visit to the Middle East.

Note: The Project To Expand Baniyas Power Station

This project is for adding two generators of 170 MW to the Baniyas Power Station to address future demand for electricity. Total foreign exchange required: 30  billion yen. The bids are now under review.

3. Relations: Technical Cooperation

(Main Points of Remarks)

I am sincerely delighted that a technical cooperation agreement was concluded on Minister Abe’s recent visit to your country. I hope that, under this agreement, technical cooperation with your country further expands in a stable way.

[TN: Crossed out below are a section on Syria’s request for technical cooperation in construction of a research center (SSRC) and another on “The Stony Agricultural Land Reclamation Project.”]

Confidential

Special Envoy Nakayama’s Visit to Syria

(Main Points of Remarks and Questions and Answers)

August 1985

(Contents)

I. Initial Remarks

II. Bilateral Relations

1. General Bilateral Relations

2. Relations: Economic and Technical Cooperation

3. Relations: Cultural Exchange

III. Situation in the Middle East

1. Problem of Peace in the Middle East

2. Iran-Iraq Conflict

IV. Problem of the Release of the Hostages (Separate Document)

[TN: crossed out: August 1, 1985, First Middle East Division]

I. Initial Remarks

It was a pleasure to have recently visited your country as the special envoy of Prime Minister Nakasone. I know that the recent visit of Minister Abe to your country was highly meaningful for the further development of our bilateral relations. I have been sent this time, following Minister Abe’s visit to the Middle East, to conduct exchanges of views with your country’s leaders regarding bilateral relations and the international situation.

II. Bilateral Relations

1. General Bilateral Relations

(Main Points of Remarks)

(1) There have always been friendly relations between Japan and Syria. Particularly with Foreign Minister Shara’s visit to Japan and Minister Abe’s recent visit to your country, relations of friendship and cooperation have greatly developed. With the cooperation of Your Excellencies as well, I hope for the further development of bilateral relations.

(2) Prime Minister Nakasone, too, intends to strive for the further development of bilateral relations.

2. Relations: Economic and Technical Cooperation

(1) Basic Policy

(Main Points of Remarks)

Our country’s intention, in light of friendly relations with your country, the role that your country plays in peace in the Middle East, and the greatness of your country’s development needs, is to promote henceforth as well economic and technical cooperation to the extent possible.

(2) Cooperative Relations: ODA Loans

(Main Points of Remarks)

(a) Minister Abe recently said that the 10.4 billion yen in mixed credits previously promised would be applied to the Substations Project (note below). I am aware that our two countries are now working on the details.

Note: Main Points of the Substations Project

This project, in order to address future increases in Syrian domestic demand for electric power, with planning under way for the construction of large-scale power plants for the present and the future, three substations (400/230 kV) will be constructed: in Adra (outside of Damascus), Hama, and Aleppo. In addition, the power transmission lines are being built with the cooperation of Czechoslovakia.

In addition, the breakdown is yen credits of 3.64 billion yen, at an interest rate of 4 percent, over 25 (7) years and export credits of 6.76 billion yen, at an interest rate of 6.3 percent, over 10 (2) years. (The years between parentheses are the grace periods. )

(b) Concerning the new yen credits, I am aware that our side has started to positively consider the Baniyas Power Station Project, which the Syrian side made its priority at the time of Minister Abe’s visit to the Middle East.

Note: The Project To Expand Baniyas Power Station

This project is for adding two generators of 170 MW to the Baniyas Power Station to address future demand for electricity. Total foreign exchange required: 30  billion yen. The bids are now under review.

3. Relations: Technical Cooperation

(Main Points of Remarks)

I am sincerely delighted that a technical cooperation agreement was concluded on Minister Abe’s recent visit to your country. I hope that, under this agreement, technical cooperation with your country further expands in a stable way.

[TN: Crossed out below are a section on Syria’s request for technical cooperation in construction of a research center (SSRC) and another on “The Stony Agricultural Land Reclamation Project.”]