(* This is a provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only. The original text is in Japanese.)

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Masahiko Koumura

Date: Tuesday, November 27, 2007, 9:24 a.m.
Place: In front of the Ministers' Room in the House

Main topics:

Dismantling of Decommissioned Russian Nuclear Submarine
Dispatch of Election Monitors to Russian State Duma (the Lower House) Election
North Korean Issues

1. Dismantling of Decommissioned Russian Nuclear Submarine

Minister:
The dismantling work on Russia's decommissioned nuclear submarines has been taking place with approximately 10 billion yen worth of capital, and New Zealand has stated that it will provide assistance of approximately 59 million yen. With the Republic of Korea this will be implemented as a joint project by our three countries.

2. Dispatch of Election Monitors to Russian State Duma (the Lower House) Election

Minister:
One more topic regarding Russia. Japan will dispatch election monitors on the occasion of the elections for their lower house. This dispatch will take place as a result of a request from the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation. Japan has a strong interest in election activities such as voting and counting of votes taking place in a fair and democratic manner. Russia, for its part as well, has asked for monitoring to take place, and that is why Japan will dispatch election monitors.

3. North Korean Issues

Question:
Regarding relations with North Korea, beginning today specialists from various nations will be enter nuclear facilities in Yongbyon. Do you have any comment on that?

Minister:
That has been an ongoing process led by the United States, and the other nations also would like to take a good look for ourselves. We will go there to take a look.

Question:
What are your expectations for the outcome of this visit?

Minister:
Basically we would like to see whether or not everything is properly undertaken, and whether or not North Korea will thoroughly carry out what it needs to do. This is carried out through the cooperation of the United States and North Korea. We will monitor it and take a look to confirm that everything is implemented correctly.

Question:
How do you intend to advance the situation in the Japan-North Korea Consultations, aiming for the Head of Delegation Meeting of the Six-Party Talks? Furthermore what is the outlook for holding those talks?

Minister:
If possible, in early December we would like to hold the Head of Delegation Meeting of the Six-Party Talks. In fact, at the Japan-China-Korea Three-Party Committee Meeting held recently, we discussed that and I understand that coordination is now underway to realize that.

Question:
Will progress be made in the future in the Japan-North Korea Consultations?

Minister:
Of course it would be ideal for us to move ahead in parallel with the efforts for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and with the US-North Korea Consultations. If progress is delayed in the Japan-North Korea Consultations, that would be problematic. Therefore in order to avoid delays we should act on a principle of "action for action," and there are some things for North Korea to do on its side. Japan intends to move ahead once North Korea has taken necessary steps, and thereby achieve progress.

Question:
You stated that in early December you would like to hold the Head of Delegation Meeting of the Six-Party Talks. Prior to that do you intend to hold a meeting of the Working Group for the Normalization of Japan-DPRK Relations?

Minister:
At this point in time I have not received any report to that effect.

Question:
When all related countries gather around the table, without a meeting of the Working Group for the Normalization of Japan-DPRK Relations, there are concerns that Japan's position thus far will carry less weight. What are your thoughts on that?

Minister:
Although I have not yet received an accurate report as to when that will take place, I believe that there are various possibilities such as it taking place as an official meeting or as an unofficial meeting, in the open, or under the surface.

Back to Index