(* 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: Friday, March 23, 2007, 8.45a.m.
Place: in front of the Ministers' Room in the House

Main topics:

Six-Party Talks
Domestic Politics

1. Six-Party Talks

Question:
Yesterday, Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan, returned to North Korea. How do you take this kind of response of the North Korean side?

Minister:
It's a result of their having been over-particular in talks regarding the B.D.A. (Banco Delta Asia). I do not see their response as very constructive.

Question:
The Talks this time has gone into recession without coming to discussion about the specific initial actions. What is the outlook for a resumption of them?

Minister:
The North Koreans left the Talks because of the question whether the money in the BDA (Banco Delta Asia) will be available or not. It's a technical question, so once the question is to be closed up I expect that they will come back.

Question:
One point of view is that with this development the agreed deadline of 60 days will be missed. What is your opinion on this?

Minister:
I don't agree. It all depends on the attitude of the North Koreans. If it failed to happen, then no progress will be made on the other matters such as assistance with oil. The only pressing matter is that of the USD25 million and I don't think that the actions will fail to be implemented within 60 days.

Question:
Some countries' response to this is that the momentum achieved from already having reached agreement in February should not be halted. Will the Talks reconvene as soon as possible?

Minister:
For all the talk of momentum, in this case another side is involved, meaning talk of momentum is not necessarily appropriate. However, I don't feel that the five nations are out of step. I believe that things are going much as anticipated.

2. Domestic Politics

(See Japanese Version)

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