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posted Tuesday, 6 June 2006
Although it is a taboo that it is not often spoken of in public, or at least in the presence of foreigners, one of the key dynamics in the turbulent Sino-Japanese relationship has always been Japan's close post-war relationship with the US.
When it comes to this particular point of international affairs, the Chinese people have express a full range of emotions, including:
Consternation - that American troops sit on Japanese islands, ready to interviene in any future conflict over the disputed island of Chinese-Taiwan.
Confusion - as to why Washington is, today, more concerned with China's current misdeeds than Japan's past crimes.
Anger - that Washington chose to side with Tokyo; its mortal wartime enemy, over Beijing; its former ally.
Envy - over the prosperity and international acceptance that its relationship with America has brought Japan
And even sadness - over the fact that Japan, China's estranged Asian brother, still remains partially under America's very western heal.
However, the relationship between Washington and Tokyo has not always been as close as many Chinese believe, and Japan's post-war policies have not always been as America-lead as Chinese history records.
A Difference of Opinions
Historically, there have long been a great many 'differences of opinion' between Tokyo and Washington over the former's policies which, at best, could be described as enmity, and at worst, as open hostility.
Unsurprisingly, the focus of these has often been Japanese ties with China.
Surprisingly though, and in contrary to what many people might expect, many of these 'differences of opinion' have not been about Japan's poor relationship with China. Quite the opposite in fact.
Indeed, one of the most serious historical US-Japanese political splits was brought about by Japanese efforts to normalize relations with China. At a time when it was US policy to isolate the Communist Government on Mainland China, in favor of the pro-capitalist, yet undemocratic, pseudo-military government on Chinese-Taiwan.
The latter of which states Washington maintained was 'the only true China'.
Dirty Laundry
Though they feature little in today's political cimate, the existence of these 'differences of opinion' over China were brought into the sharp focus late last month, with the release of a catalog of previously classified transcripts transcripts in which one of America's most senior officials - US National Security Advisor Heinz “Henry” Kissinger - which reveal that, as far as he was concerned, the Japanese were a pack of 'treacherous pro-Chinese dogs and liars' who were bent both on humiliating him, and 'collapsing US Asia Pacific policy' for their own ends.
| "Of all the treacherous sons of bitches, the Japs take the cake" Heinz “Henry” Kissinger, National Security Advisor (1969-1974), US |
According to records, Kissinger's outburst was made in mid 1972, when it was revealed to him that Japanese Prime Minister 田中角栄 (Tanaka Kakuei) was about to actively defy US foreign policy - which Japan had closely followed since its unconditional surrender to the US in 1945 - by entering into direct talks with Beijing over the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Describing Japanese reconciliation efforts as being conducted with 'indecently hasty', a term taken to mean that they were conducted 'without consultation, or permission, form Washington', Kissinger is also reported to have expressed extreme consternation that Japanese representatives initially wished their meeting with China to take place on “National Day”.
| "It's not just their indecent haste in normalizing relations with China, but they even picked National Day as their preference to go there” Heinz “Henry” Kissinger |
National Day is synonymous with the Communist takeover of Mainland China.
As a result of this announcement, Kissinger refused to consult with Japanese officials over the agenda for 田中 (Tanaka)'s meeting. A decision which served to further limit US influence in the Sino-Japanese reconciliation process.
Had he not refused, it is possible that Kissinger may have been able to persuade Japan to reconsider, or tone down their offer to China. In which case Japan may not have normalized relations with at that juncture, and may have followed the US in maintaining an anti-China stance.
History - Japan?
Although America made early moves to reconcile with China in February 1972, US approaches stopped short of offering any permanent solutions to Sino-US issues, and did not include an acceptable offer of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Washington had banked on Japan following behind the US, lending strength to the US position. Allowing it to more readily pressure China into making compromises.
However, the US position was significantly undermined when, in August 1972, Japanese Prime Minister 田中角栄 (Tanaka Kakuei) unilaterally moved to offer China significantly more than the US. Including transferring full diplomatic recognition from Taipei; the capitol of Chinese-Taiwan, to Beijing; the capitol of Mainland China, and a commitment to recognize Chinese-Taiwan as an 'inalienable component of greater China'.
| "一) 日本国と中華人民共和国との間のこれまでの不正常な状態は、この共同声明が発出される日に終了する 二) 日本国政府は、中華人民共和国政府が中国の唯一の合法政府であることを承認する 三) 中華人民共和国政府は、台湾が中華人民共和国の領土の不可分の一部であることを重ねて表明する。日本国政府は、この中華人民共和国政府の立場を十分理解し、尊重し、ポツダム宣言第八項に基づく立場を堅持する 四) 日本国政府及び中華人民共和国政府は、千九百七十二年九月二十九日から外交関係を樹立することを決定した。両政府は、国際法及び国際慣行に従い、それぞれ の首都における他方の大使館の設置及びその任務遂行のために必要なすべての措置をとり、また、できるだけすみやかに大使を交換することを決定した 1) The abnormal state of affairs that has hitherto existed between Japan and the People's Republic of China is terminated on the date on which this Joint Communique is issued. 2) The Government of Japan recognizes that Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China. 3) The Government of the People's Republic of China reiterates that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China. The Government of Japan fully understands and respects this stand of the Government of the People's Republic of China, and it firmly maintains its stand under Article 8 of the Postsdam Proclamation. 4) The Government of Japan and the Government of People's Republic of China have decided to establish diplomatic relations as from September 29, 1972. The two Governments have decided to take all necessary measures for the establishment and the performance of the functions of each other's embassy in their respective capitals in accordance with international law and practice, and to exchange ambassadors as speedily as possible." Clause 1-4, Joint Communique of the Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China (日本国政府と中華人民共和国政府の共同声明/中华人民共和国政府与日本政府的联合声明), 29 September, 1972 |
By moving independently of the US, and in direct contradiction to the US posture, Japan effectively derailed American attempts to negotiate with China on behalf of both countries, seriously damaging America's authority in the region, and reducing its position of strength in negotiations..
Japan's normalization of relations later lead to the the signing of agreements for the provision of war reparations, known as ODA, to Mainland China. Providing Beijing with additional capitol to construct and maintain the industry and infrastructure on which its present day economic success, and ability to compete directly with the US, is built, and creating further enmity in the US-Japanese relationship.
History – America?
Despite its greatly weakened position, the US held out on recognition of Mainland Chia until international realities, and fears that political opponents would preempt official government action, forced Washington in to signing a 'One China' agreement, and following Japan in switching diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing.
On 15 December 1978, the US and China to the “Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations”, a document which was ratified, by mutual agreement, on 1 January 1979.
| “1) The United States of America and the People's Republic of China have agreed to recognize each other and to establish diplomatic relations as of January 1, 1979. 2) The United States of America recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China. Within this context, the people of the United States will maintain cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan. 3) The United States of America and the People's Republic of China reaffirm the principles agreed on by the two sides in the Shanghai Communique and emphasize once again that: 4) Both wish to reduce the danger of international military conflict. 5) Neither should seek hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region or in any other region of the world and each is opposed to efforts by any other country or group of countries to establish such hegemony. 6) Neither is prepared to negotiate on behalf of any third party or to enter into agreements or understandings with the other directed at other states. 7) The Government of the United States of America acknowledges the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China. 8) Both believe that normalization of Sino-American relations is not only in the interest of the Chinese and American peoples but also contributes to the cause of peace in Asia and the world. The United States of America and the People's Republic of China will exchange Ambassadors and establish Embassies on March 1, 1979.” Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations. Signed 15 December 1978, ratified 1 January 1979. |
Response?
After the less than favorable quotations appeared in the Japanese media, Kissinger was forced to issue a statement confirming that he had made the remarks, but denying that they represented his opinions of Japan as a whole. Instead, voicing that they only represented opinions over Japan's unilateral attempts at rapprochement with Mainland China.
| "They certainly do not reflect a principled hostility to Japan, a country for which I have always entertained the most sincere respect" Heinz “Henry” Kissinger, May 2006 |
Despite being one of the principle figures in the US-Japanese equation, Kissinger has often been accused of having a 'poor knowledge' of Japanese culture, and of using 'inappropriate Western benchmarks' when dealing with US-Japanese issues.
Further Embarrassment
Though an embarrassing loss of face for Kissinger, and highly humiliating for the current US administration - which has recently been at odds with Japan over a number of issues, including US troop deployments on Japanese soil, and Japan's participation in the unconstitutional war of overseas aggression against Iraq – this is not the first time that damaging transcripts of Kissinger have come to light in regards to his dealings with China.
In 2002, declassified documents showed that Kissinger had purposefully mislead the American and Taiwanese people about the now infamous meeting held between himself and the Chinese leadership in July 1971.
According to Kissinger's original version of events, the issue of Chinese-Taiwan was 'barely mentioned' during the meeting between himself and the Chinese Premier 周恩來 (Zhou Enlai).
However records of the meeting, released under the Freedom of Information Act, revealed that approximately 9 out of 37 page of transcript material, or approximates 1/4 of the total meeting, were devoted near exclusively to the issues.
| "The document proves that what Kissinger writes in his memoirs about Taiwan being barely discussed is breathtakingly not true" James Mann, Senior Writer in Residence, Center for Strategic and International Studies, US |
According to official US transcripts, issues that were discussed included:
- The possibility of the US signing a 'One China' accord
- US support for Taiwanese independence
- The reversal of US troop deployments in Taiwan,
- Chinese concerns that the US might be purposefully positioning the Japanese Self Defense forces to break the constitution by stepping in as a proxy to American forces in order to deny China control of the disputed island.
| “With respect to the Taiwan independence movement, we will give no support either direct or indirect. If you have any reliable information to the contrary, get it to me and I will see that whatever is going on is stopped.” Heinz “Henry” Kissinger, Speaking to Chinese Premier 周恩來 (Zhou enlai), July 1971 |
A Full uncensored and unedited transcript of the meeting is available for download HERE (PDF).
Please note, the front 'cover sheet' was added at a later date, and that all times are recorded in local format. Placing the meeting on 10 July Chinese time, and 9 July US time.
Please also note that US documents are Romanized using the Wade-Giles system. Rendering 周恩來 (Zhou Enlai) as Chou En-Lai. Premier is also rendered as 'Prime-Minister'.
The Kissinger Transcripts?
Kissinger remarks on Japan's attempts to normalize relations with China are contained in “The Kissinger Transcripts: A Verbatim Record of US Diplomacy, 1969-1977", a collection of over 2000 memos and transcripts relating to the former Secretary of State, which were compiled by The National Security Archive
The National Security Archive is a non-profit organization, which is dedicated to cataloging and releasing state record that have been declassified under the Freedom of Information Act. It is based in George Washington University, and was founded on 1985.
View Comments/Add a Comment (2)
1. Michael Turton left...
Tuesday, 6 June 2006 11:13 pm :: http://michaelturton.blogspot.com
And, after selling out Taiwan, Kissinger got nothing for it. I sometimes
agree with that minority in the CIA in the late 60s and 70s who argued that
he was a Soviet agent. For all the good he did, he may as well have been.
2. ACB left...
Tuesday, 6 June 2006 11:53 pm :: http://angrychineseblogger.blog-city.com
You should try reading some of the transcripts of his 'negotiations' with
China. They're scary stuff.