藤崎駐米大使は即刻更迭されるべきだ

　少し前の話になるが、事の重大さに鑑み、本ブログの記事として載せておくことにする。

「米政府、駐米大使の呼び出しを否定」（世田谷通信）

　日本のマスコミ各社は、日本時間の２１日、ヒラリー・クリントン米国務長官が藤崎一郎駐米大使を国務省に呼び出し、日米合意に基づき辺野古への移設計画を早期に実施するように指示したと報道し、「異例の呼び出し」「アメリカの怒りは頂点」などと書きたてた。しかし、日本側のこれらの報道を受け、米国務省のクローリー次官補は、日本時間の２３日、ワシントンでの記者会見で、「クリントン長官は藤崎大使を呼び出してはいない。藤崎大使は『普天間問題の解決には時間が必要だ』という日本側の立場を伝えるために、自ら国務省に立ち寄ったのだ」と説明し、日本のマスコミの報道内容を否定した。（2009年12月23日）

　これだけでは確かとは言えないので、国務省のWebサイトを見たら、ブリーフィングのページがあった。以下引用すると、

Philip J. Crowley
Assistant Secretary
Daily Press Briefing
Washington, DC
December 22, 2009

INDEX:

JAPAN
The Secretary and Japan's PM met briefly in Copenhagen; the U.S. feels that the current plan for the realignment is the best way to go forward; we are continuing to work with the Government of Japan and the Realignment Roadmap High-Level Working Group

DPRK
"Rumors of the demise of the Six-Party Talks have been greatly exaggerated" and the U.S. and other Six-Party members continue to urge North Korea to return to the talks; recent meetings in Pyongyang were hopeful; however, future actions by North Korea will speak louder than words

CLIMATE CHANGE
The results of talks in Copenhagen bear out that verification aspects are among the most important ingredients in any successful climate change progress; access to data will allow for the kind of transparency that is necessary

TRANSCRIPT:
　QUESTION: Do you have any readout of the Secretary’s meetings yesterday with the Japanese ambassador? I had heard she called him in to talk about Futenma.
　MR. CROWLEY: The -- I think the Japanese ambassador came by to see both Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell, stopped by to see Secretary Clinton. During the course of the meeting, the ambassador gave us an indication that they needed more time to work through issues related to the basing agreement. We continue to believe that the current plan provides the best way forward, but we’ll continue our discussions with Japan on this issue.
　QUESTION: You said that -- “stopped by.” You wouldn’t describe him as being called in on a --
　MR. CROWLEY: All right, let me --
　QUESTION: -- day when the government was being closed and --
　MR. CROWLEY: He was -- I think -- my -- I mean, he -- I don’t think he was called in. I think actually he came to see us.
　Yes.
　QUESTION: There were some reports in the Japanese press that the Secretary perhaps took issue with some comments that the prime minister had made in Copenhagen. He said something like she showed understanding, or basic understanding over the Futenma issue. Can you confirm?
　MR. CROWLEY: I was with the Secretary in Copenhagen, and she had an encounter with the prime minister in the hallway as they were both moving to meetings. I think they also interacted during the course of a dinner there hosted by the Queen of Denmark. I don’t know, very specifically, what the nature of their discussions were. Obviously, this remains important to us and we will continue to work with the Japanese Government on these issues.
　We continue to think that the realignment plan that currently exists is the best way in reducing the burden on Okinawa and -- but maintaining our ability to defend Japan and to maintain security in the region. I think the message that Japan gave to us yesterday was just it’s going to take a little more time.
　QUESTION: Thank you.
　QUESTION: One more on Japan.
　MR. CROWLEY: All right. We have some -- we’re -- go ahead.
　QUESTION: Can I ask on North Korea?
（以下略）

　確かに、「きっこのブログ」にあるように、大使は呼び出されてなどいないようである。つまり、今回の「大使呼びつけ」とやらは、藤崎大使とやらが自分で出向いていき、その顛末を自分でメディアに語った話が誇張されて伝わったもののようだ。

　今回の報道が、外交に関する民主党政権の不安定さを人々に印象づける上で大きな役割を果たしていることを重大視するのであれば（そしてもちろん、重大視するべきである）、民主党政権はこの駐米大使を即刻更迭するべきである。さもなければ示しがつかず、民主党政権はますます外務（害務）官僚に侮られることとなろう。