Cable No. 5954, Ambassador Matsunaga to the Foreign Minister, 'Problem of the Release of the American Hostages'

Number: R107324

Primary: Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau Director-General

Sent: United States, August 06, 1985, 23:48

Received: MOFA, August 07, 1985, 12:50

To: The Foreign Minister      

From: Ambassador Matsunaga

Problem of the Release of the American Hostages

No. 5954 Secret Urgent (Priority Processing)

(Limited Distribution)

Re: Your Telegram, Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau Director-General’s Telegram No. 3965

1. On the 5^th, in a telephone call to President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs McFarlane, I conveyed to him the points in your initial telegram and requested that he communicate them to President Reagan. The President’s Assistant then said the following:

“Thank you for the information. I highly appraise the Government of Japan’s swiftly taking measures and would like to express my profound gratitude. I will report this immediately to the President.”

2. On the 6^th, visiting Secretary Shultz for another matter, I reported the same information to him. The Secretary then said the following:

“Thank you for the information. I highly appraise the efforts of the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, and the Government of Japan at the time of the TWA hostage incident. I hope for the present efforts to succeed. I firmly believe that the accumulation of such efforts on the part of the Government of Japan will contribute to the resolution of the situation.” (End)