Press Conference by Press Sec. 12 May 1995

1. Statement by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono on the decision for the indefinite extension of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)
2. Dispatch of Japanese election observers to the Republic of Haiti
3. Meeting between Ambassador to Japan Walter Mondale of the United States of America and Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kunihiko Saito regarding recent developments in Japan- United States trade relations
4. Issues related to the Islamic Republic of Iran
5. Situation on the Korean Peninsula
6. Tokyo City Expo '96
7. Consideration of a dispatch of Japanese peace-keeping personnel to the Golan Heights
8. Nerve gas incident on the Tokyo subway system

1. Statement by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono on the decision for the indefinite extension of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)

   Acting Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. First, I would like to read the Statement by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono on the decision for the indefinite extension of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

   "I welcome wholeheartedly the decision to extend indefinitely the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons by consensus at the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Parties to the NPT.

   I attended the Conference, and based on Japan's experience as a country that suffered the consequences of nuclear bombs, re-emphasized our position to seek the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons, and at the same time, from the stance of clearly renouncing possession of nuclear weapons, expressed our support for the indefinite extension of the NPT, which plays an important role in nuclear non- proliferation, nuclear disarmament and the peaceful use of nuclear energy, as well as our hope that as many States Parties as possible share this basic view of Japan.

   The fact that a decision has been made to extend the NPT indefinitely, as well as the fact that the future course of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, such as the strengthening of the review process, has been delineated, demonstrates eloquently that the views of Japan and those of the international community are in accord. I would like to pay high tribute to the achievements of the Conference.

   I would like to appeal to all nuclear-weapon States, taking account of the achievement at this Conference, to make further efforts for nuclear disarmament with the ultimate objective of the elimination of nuclear weapons in response to the trust placed in them by non-nuclear weapon States. Japan, for its part, wishes to make further efforts for the strengthening of nuclear non-proliferation and further nuclear disarmament."

2. Dispatch of Japanese election observers to the Republic of Haiti

   Acting Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: The Government of Japan has decided to dispatch to the Republic of Haiti as election observers a total of five persons, comprising Professor Nobuhiko Suto of Tokai University and four officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to take part in the Electoral Observation Mission organized by the Organization of American States (OAS). This dispatch will be made in response to a request made by the Government of Haiti, to assist the free and fair implementation of the parliamentary and local elections to be held in Haiti on 25 June. In addition to the contribution of personnel, Japan has also decided to donate US$504,000 to the trust fund for electoral assistance established by the United Nations in support of the forthcoming elections. The Government of Japan is confident that the financial assistance and dispatch of electoral observers will be an effective and adequate support for Haiti.

   I would like to add a footnote to this announcement. This is the first time we are making use of a new scheme in our official development assistance (ODA) program, established for the specific purpose of assisting democratic development. Although we have supported elections in developing countries through the use of other schemes, this new scheme allows Japan to respond more effectively to the needs in this area of developing countries. The assistance will be provided in the form of grant aid. This can be used for the purchase of ballot boxes, election information posters, vehicles, computers and other materials and equipment necessary for holding elections. We believe that this is a specific example of Japan's policy to support democracy in the world.

3. Meeting between Ambassador to Japan Walter Mondale of the United States of America and Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kunihiko Saito regarding recent developments in Japan-United States trade relations

   Acting Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: I would like to fill you in on the meeting held between Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono and Ambassador to Japan Walter Mondale of the United States of America yesterday. The purpose of Ambassador Mondale's visit was to transmit through official channels the content of United States Trade Representative Mickey Kantor's 11 May (Tokyo time) announcement regarding the automobile and auto parts sector issue. In response, Foreign Minister Kono said that he regretted the United States announcement, and that Japan was prepared to make a response to this at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Both Foreign Minister Kono and Ambassador Mondale agreed that Japan-United States relations were of extreme importance and that both sides needed to make efforts to make sure that the automobile and auto parts sector issue did not adversely affect the overall relationship.

   Q: I have some questions on another subject, but since you've made this announcement on the Mondale-Kono meeting -- how do you propose, in the Foreign Ministry and the Government of Japan, to prevent, in the public mind, an adverse effect of the sanctions announcement?

   A: Objectively speaking, the ties between Japan and the United States are in very good shape. We have a very good security relationship. We have an excellent political relationship. In the economic area, we have reached agreement in a large number of sectors. We are cooperating on global issues. I think it is necessary for both sides to bear this in mind and not lose sight of the fact that we do have a very good relationship overall.

4. Issues related to the Islamic Republic of Iran

   Q: Asahi Shimbun reported yesterday that a high-level delegation from Iran will arrive in Tokyo next week to discuss relations with Japan. Could you confirm that, and will they discuss the yen loan problem?

   A: This is one of a series of regular consultations between Japan and the Islamic Republic of Iran. These consultations have been held twice in the past, and since these talks are of a routine nature, they do not have any special implications in connection with the question of yen loans nor with the United States sanctions against Iran. Given the nature of these talks, we will be discussing a wide range of issues, including bilateral issues, the Middle East, and also global issues of interest to both sides. If your question is -- "is the issue of yen loans going to be discussed?" -- the possibility that it will be discussed is not excluded, given the broad scope of these consultations.

   Q: How about U.S. sanctions? Is it going to be included in this wide range of global issues?

   A: I think both sides are free to discuss whatever is on their minds.

   Q: Is there any document coming up?

   A: I believe not.

   Q: May I follow up on Iran? In March, when you deferred the loan -- the second phase of the yen loan for the Karun Hydroelectric Project -- would you have considered deferment on your own, or was it in response to U.S. allegations about Iran's involvement in terrorism and suspected nuclear weapons program, etc.?

   A: I have to take exception to the use of the word, "defer." As you know, we have been considering this matter in the light of Japan's Iran policy and ODA Charter for some time now. That remains our position at this point in time.

   Q: But the second phase was due in March, wasn't it?

   A: No.

   Q: It wasn't? First it was last year, and then it was --

   A: There was no specific deadline for the decision to extend the loans.

   Q: Since when did this review begin, in line with the Iran policy and ODA Charter, etc.?

   A: I do not have that with me. I will have to get back to you on that.

   Q: Let me ask you a direct question. Is there any connection, at all, between this review of releasing the second phase and overall relations and the American allegations about matters over which they have gone to sanctions?

   A: Let me put it this way. Japan is considering this matter in the light of Japan's Iran policy and the ODA Charter, and, in so doing, we will be taking account of Iran's behavior and the overall situation concerning Iran.

   Q: Can you please give the exact dates of the Iranian officials' visit?

   A: The meeting will be held on Monday, 15 May.

   Q: When is their arrival in Japan, and when are they leaving?

   A: I do not have their exact itinerary.

   Q: We can appreciate that governments normally take action -- or refuse to take action, as the case may be -- on a case-by-case basis, considering national interest. You will appreciate that I would like to ask you a question based on principle. Now, can you offer us either the principle involved or the national interest involved in not releasing the second phase of the loan to Iran?

   A: I did not use the phrases, "not releasing" or "releasing" or "deferring" -- I would like to emphasize this point. But I can address the question of Japan's basic thinking on Iran. We believe that, in order to ensure peace and stability in the Gulf Region, it is desirable to have a realistic and moderate Iran. I think everybody in the world shares this view. How best to attain this? We believe that it is important to encourage the moderate groups in Iran, so that they would have a greater influence in Iran. We do not think that isolating Iran is the right answer.

   Q: I think a ban or a sanction is a form of isolating a country, so from this can I assume that Japan does not agree with the U.S. policy of imposing sanctions on Iran?

   A: As you know, the request was made by the United States to Japan to go along with United States policy -- for Japan to take parallel or similar measures to the measures taken by the United States. We are carefully considering this matter based on Japan's Iran policy and also the need to secure a stable supply of oil.

   Q: I have the responses of the Canadians, the Australians, the British, the French and the Italians, all of whom, in their statements after the announcement of U.S. sanctions against Iran, specifically mentioned that they are opposed to the imposition of unilateral sanctions. Japan, among these, is the only one which has not made any comment on the sanctions aspect -- the moral aspect or the justifications. Don't you think -- not directly, but indirectly -- your lack of opposition to that has encouraged the Americans to contemplate similar actions against you in a different realm altogether? Can you really absolve yourself of encouraging the Americans to contemplate unilateral sanctions on anybody and everybody?

   A: I have to take exception to drawing a parallel between United States sanctions against Iran and the automobile and auto parts sector issue between Japan and the United States. I do not see any connection between the two, and I doubt very much that there is any connection in the minds of United States officials between the two. That is speculation, but I doubt very much that there is any connection.

   Q: You doubt about United States officials, but if you travel by subway, you will notice this in the minds of the Japanese people. I am sure you agree with that.

   A: No. I do not think so. I have to disagree with you, there.

5. Situation on the Korean Peninsula

   Q: Would you tell us the Japanese Government's current evaluation of the situation of the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO), based on Ambassador Gallucci's visit, I believe yesterday?

   A: Yesterday, Assistant Secretary of State for Political- Military Affairs Robert Gallucci of the United States visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He had a meeting with Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kunihiko Saito and some other high officials of this Ministry. In his meeting with Vice-Minister Saito, Ambassador Gallucci filled him in on the tripartite meeting which took place in Seoul, and they both agreed that the United States and Japan must work closely together in order to resolve this issue of North Korea's nuclear development program.

   Q: What I want to know is -- not to ask for your own personal observation -- has the KEDO situation been improving toward a possible peaceful solution, or are you still seeing some tough obstacles ahead to having North Korea agree?

   A: I do not think it is my job to give you a personal assessment of the situation. All I can say is that there were reports in the Japanese papers that the North Koreans sent a letter to the United States regarding the talks. I can confirm that a letter was delivered from North Korea to the United States, although I cannot reveal the contents of this letter, and Japan, the United States, and the Republic of Korea will be discussing how to respond to this North Korean letter. With regard to the venue and timing of the resumption of the talks between the United States and North Korea, nothing has been decided.

6. Tokyo City Expo '96

   Q: Is the Foreign Ministry involved in Tokyo City Expo '96, especially in the office of participant? Have you received a response from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government concerning the cancellation plan?

   A: We have not heard anything official. We are not directly involved in this. It is purely a project of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

7. Consideration of a dispatch of Japanese peace-keeping personnel to the Golan Heights

   Q: I would like to ask a couple of basic questions on your sending a peace-keeping operation to the Golan Heights. I had read that the request was first made in the United Nations in May last year, and I would like to confirm whether this was in fact the case. The second question is: Japanese newspapers have reported that any Japanese operation that joins in the Golan Heights would come under Canadian control because it would be joining the Canadian contingent. Is that also true?

   A: I will have to get back to you on those points because they involve some technical issues.

   Q: On a related question -- I think that the Foreign Ministry has been saying all along that they would like to make a decision about whether to send troops in May, so I assume a six month period to prepare for sending a contingent in November, which would take over operations from the Canadians. There has been some difficulty I think in trying to make that deadline, because of opposition from certain members of the Social Democratic Party of Japan. My question is: does the Foreign Ministry believe that a decision not to send a contingent would endanger their reputation in the international community, though they haven't ever publicly promised that they would send troops overseas? Given the fact that Japan has been thinking about it for seven months at least, if not a year, do you think that a decision now not to send troops, would endanger in the way I suggested?

   A: It is our policy not to respond to hypothetical questions. The state of affairs is as follows: this question, as you know, is being discussed among the ruling parties, and the Government will make a final decision on whether to send a PKO unit to the Golan Heights, taking into account the decision reached by the ruling Coalition parties.

8. Nerve gas incident on the Tokyo subway system

   Q: I just came back from Egypt, and every one is scared from the news of the sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway. But, as the Foreign Ministry, do you think that the Aum Shinrikyo group has any political goals? What do they want? As the Foreign Ministry, do they have any political goals?

   A: I have to refer you to the National Police Agency. This matter falls within the purview of matters to be dealt with by the National Police Agency and other ministries and agencies responsible for domestic affairs. We do not have any official view on this matter.