(* This is a provisional translation by "WIP ジャパン" for reference purpose only. The original text is in Japanese.)
Press Conference by Foreign Minister Taro Aso
Date: Tuesday, August 1, 2006, 10:53 a.m.
Place: Briefing Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Main topics:
- Ministerial Citation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Staff in Iraq
- Structural Reform
- Cabinet Meeting
- The Interpretation of the Constitution Regarding Japan's Right to Collective Self-Defense
- Adoption of the United Nations Resolution on Iran
1. Ministerial Citation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Staff in Iraq
Minister:
There will be an award ceremony at 11:10 am for those who have been working at the office in Samawah, Iraq, and at the embassy in Iraq since the war began. In spite of advice to evacuate having been issued, they have remained, diligently carrying out their duties there without regard for life or limb. They are therefore to be awarded with a Foreign Ministerial Citation. The Ground Self Defense Forces and the Foreign Ministry have been like the twin wheels of the aid vehicle in the city of Samawah, and there they have carried out humanitarian reconstruction and relief activities. The Ground Self Defense Forces' portion of this work in Samawah, as well as that of the Foreign Ministry, having been completed, this ceremony is being held upon the return of the Samawah office staff to Japan.
Related Information (The Issue of Iraq)
2. Structural Reform
Minister:
As you know, today the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to undergo structural reform. There are two main foci. One is the merging of the Economic Cooperation Bureau with part of the Global Issues Department, creating the 'International Cooperation Bureau'. The other is the creation of a 'South Asia Department' within the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau. An inauguration ceremony for these new organs will follow, along with more detailed explanations.
Question:
What is hoped will be achieved with these structural reforms?
Minister:
There have been very few examples in the sphere of government administration of structural reforms taking place partway through the financial year. One reason for this rare step being taken was the pressing need for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to swiftly respond to the creation of the Council of Overseas Economic Cooperation by the government and the Cabinet by taking unifying measures. Another reason was that the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau was reaching its response limit. Asia now contains almost 60 percent of the world's population. Within that, the massive populations of China and India come to over 2 billion people. So, with regard to our relations with China and India, we were barely able to cope. It was therefore necessary to make further divisions in order to preserve functionality. The economies of India and China are now rapidly expanding, becoming what are often referred to as BRICs. So the structural reforms within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be understood as a response to this development.
3. Cabinet Meeting
4. The Interpretation of the Constitution Regarding Japan's Right to Collective Self-Defense
5. Adoption of the United Nations Resolution on Iran
Question:
The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution in response to the Iranian nuclear issue. What is the significance of this?
Minister:
Last night shortly after 11 o'clock Japan time, the United Nations Security Council resolution number 1696 was adopted, in succession to number 1695 which was the resolution regarding North Korea. I believe this is a big step towards a resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue. Also the EU 3+3, being the three major EU nations and the United States, Russia, etc., have put forward a comprehensive proposal that I hope will be complied with as soon as possible. Time is running out for either a yes or a no. While in Malaysia, the Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki expressed a strong desire to talk with me, so time was made for a talk with Foreign Minister Mottaki. In accordance with what EU representative Solana stressed repeatedly, in the brief time we had, I said to Foreign Minister Mottaki that any talk that took place must take place with sincerity. The question of timing is in Iran's hands. My message to him was that here it was not the United States that was calling for a halt, but the EU representative Solana who called for it three times, and that therefore the call should be heeded. I stressed that this was not an American demand and that what Solana said had the support of the rest of the world. For this reason, I said that the longer Iran left its response, the more likely the issue was to make it as far as a United Nations resolution. And, indeed, that is what has happened. If a reply to it is not made by August 31, the issue will be taken even further and will, in the end, have to be acted upon. Therefore we would like to state as strongly as possible that with only a month from now in which to respond, it is of the utmost importance to frame a response within that time and deliver it in an appropriate manner.
Question:
It seems particularly significant that this resolution was delivered in a way that clearly linked it to moves towards economic sanctions.
Minister:
This is not a call for economic sanctions, or a move to put sanctions in place. This resolution 1696 obligates Iran to cease nuclear enrichment and reprocessing activities, but does not give prominence to economic sanctions. That belongs to whatever happens after August 31, as a next step.
Question:
Judging by Iran's responses so far, they seem unlikely to comply with the resolution. What ramifications might this have for the Azadegan oilfields and Japan's energy strategies?
Minister:
I have no intention of changing anything regarding the dialog over Azadegan because of the nuclear issue. The nuclear issue takes priority.
Related Information (Press Release)
Back to Index