Taking Advantage of Diplomatic Momentum

With initiative of the chair country of Group 20, the Syria issue turned its shape of military showdown to diplomatic solution. To Russian proposal of putting chemical weapons in Syria under international control, President of the United States, Barack Obama, began to explore other ways than using force. However, it is still skeptical whether both great powers can agree with a legally binding resolution. Japan, both as a close ally of U.S. and geographically close neighbor of Russia, is going back and forth between the two.

In his address to the nation, Obama showed a careful attitude of current developments in international community on chemical weapons in Syria. “[O]ver the last few days, we’ve seen some encouraging signs,” told Obama. “[T]he Russian government has indicated a willingness to join with the international community in pushing Assad to give up his chemical weapons,” Obama added with his recognition that the initiative might prevent use of force.

It is unknown whether U.S. is going to cooperate with Russia, until Secretary of State, John Kerry, will realize the seriousness of Russia on the initiative in the meeting with Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, in Geneva on Thursday. On a draft of resolution submitted to United Nations Security Council by France, Russia showed its negative attitude against authorizing military option in the name of U.N., while U.S. is willing to join the resolution. The difference between U.S. and Russia on attacking Syria is still large.

Japan basically welcomed the Russian initiative. “We take it as positive action,” told Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga in a press conference. By doing so, the administration led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe tried to maintain current positive relationship with Russia. On the other hand, he was taking care of the standpoint of U.S., describing “We support the efforts of related parties to prevent from use of chemical weapons again.”

However, the main point for the Cabinet was domestic response to the issue. “It is not indifferent for our country,” said Suga “that chemical weapons were used in Syria, which has a close military tie with North Korea.” By connecting the situation in Syria to Japan’s security, he supposedly indicated that it was possible for Japan to support military option in Syria, or to join some activities in the name of self-defense.

Abe administration wants to get a momentum for reinterpretation of the Constitution on collective self-defense right. It also is obvious that the Cabinet is taking advantage of Syria issue to pave the way for it.