CANBERRA

[matter omitted]

MR UYAMA mentioned that the paper [2] on the Japanese reactions to
Australia's request may be somewhat vague but was the best they
could do at this stage. The Japanese Government had many bilateral
negotiations concerning the renewal of agreements with other
countries. In these cases it covered all the negotiating on the
spot and apparently regarded the Australia-Japan negotiations as
being appropriately handled in this way. This could account for
their unwillingness to be more definite before the negotiating
team from Tokyo actually commenced talks here.

Any request by Australia for more specific reactions would only
mean further delay and was unlikely to produce anything of value.

The Japanese team had been designated and expected to come in the
third week in October.

It was hoped that the initial stage of exchanging reactions could
be completed at this meeting.

MR PHILLIPS said it had not been intended that the initial
reactions would be detailed. On our part our requests themselves
did not go into detail.

In relation to the progress of the talks and the arrival of the
Japanese delegation, our feeling was that until requests and
initial reactions had been exchanged it was difficult to say when
we could best go ahead.

While the Japanese procedure was undoubtedly suitable for
reviewing agreements the initiation of an agreement perhaps called
for different technique. We were anticipating obtaining a certain
amount of clarification from the Japanese on the present basis and
then another meeting at this level before full negotiations
started. As the Japanese would see on examining our reactions [3]
it would be difficult for us to go ahead without some further
information.

The initial reactions were exchanged and examined.

MR PHILLIPS suggested that we would like some time to examine the
Japanese reaction.

MR UYAMA Paragraph 13 of the Australian reaction requests further
advice from Japan. However, Tokyo will undoubtedly take the view
that they would like to hear more on other aspects of the requests
before they make any statement on this. While appreciating the
difficulties of the Australian position, the Japanese Government
would prefer to have the full delegation thrash out these matters
on the spot in actual negotiation. It may be difficult to get
further reactions on present basis.

MR PHILLIPS suggested examination and further meeting for any
necessary clarification before detailed negotiations commenced.

MR UYAMA suggested Monday morning to allow advice to reach Tokyo
as soon as possible.

MR PHILLIPS felt that a meeting on Monday would not be possible
but agreed to contact Mr Uyama on Monday and discuss the position.

MR UYAMA asked whether it would be possible for him to give Tokyo
any indication of timing and whether once negotiations started
meetings could be held in a more or less continuous series. He
also asked whether clarification of para. 13 of Australian
reaction is a prerequisite to formal negotiations.

MR PHILLIPS suggested that he discuss timing with Mr Uyama on
Monday. We certainly hoped that the actual negotiations would be
run as a continuous session and this was part of the reason for
wishing to clear up as much as possible beforehand. As to the
clarification of para. 13, we would certainly like this before
commencing negotiations.