Press Conference by Press Secretary 11 July 1995

Lifting of the house arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi by the Government of the Union of Myanmar
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Terusuke Terada: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. A statement was issued yesterday by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono on the lifting of the house arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. I would simply like to outline two points. First, the Government of Japan welcomes the release as substantive progress toward the democratization of the Union of Myanmar and as improvement of the human rights situation. Secondly, the Government of Japan will continue to observe closely the situation in Myanmar with high hope that the Government of Myanmar will take further positive measures for the improvement of the human rights situation and the realization of democracy. Let me say that the second point is precisely indicative of the course of action to be taken by the Government of Japan. In other words, we would still like to see a more improved human rights situation and much progress toward democratization in Myanmar.

Q: You have just mentioned this situation in Myanmar, and that the Foreign Minister said that Japan would like to see further positive measures or more improvements in human rights issues. Could you define that please, and could you describe specific measures in connection with the resumption of Japanese economic aid?

A: Let me take up the second question. You may perhaps know that we suspended our Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Myanmar in 1988 because of the changed political situation. After that, we have been offering only emergency as well as humanitarian assistance to that country. Also, we continued to offer the assistance which had been committed prior to 1988. But, basically, we have suspended our ODA to Myanmar. So, as for the question of whether we can resume our ODA at this present juncture -- I would say that we still have to see the situation in a very comprehensive manner, because, as is made so clear in the Foreign Minister's statement, we would still like to see more improvement of the human rights situation and also a more complete process of democratization in that country. After becoming aware of this release of Madame Suu Kyi, which we appreciate as substantive progress toward democratization and human rights improvement, we now have to study how best we can approach this new situation. This release of Madame Suu Kyi does not mean immediately that we will resume our ODA; we will still take some time.

Q: Could you define, or could you give us some examples of what you have called improvements or positive measures?

A: Prior to the release of Madame Suu Kyi, since the start of this year, we have witnessed the release of political prisoners. We take this as certainly indicating some progress in the human rights situation. But still, we fail to see a civilian government in that country.

Q: Are you saying that you would like to see a new civilian government established in Myanmar before Japan resumes aid? Is that what was just implied?

A: I can't say so clearly at this stage because, after all, we have to take a good look at what the present regime is trying to do. I understand that the Constituent Assembly is being held in order to amend the constitution. So, it depends on when this exercise is going to be completed, and after that what is really going to happen, you see. So, we do have to watch very carefully what is going to happen to the present government, politically speaking.

Q: Do these improvements include the ceasefire or armistice in eastern Myanmar between the Karen and government troops near the Thai border?

A: I think that is certainly quite a different question because, after all, it is related to the question of how the minorities are being treated. I understand that, more or less, a ceasefire has been achieved, and Myanmar is seeing a more pacified situation regarding the minority question. Of course, this is a sort of political improvement, in the general sense of the term.
Japan's emergency aid for the Republic of the Sudan
Q: Regarding economic aid -- Japan last week announced that it would extend some emergency aid to the Government of Sudan. Last week I asked some people in the International Press Division about this area -- the relationship between Japan and Sudan, about the present situation between Japan and Sudan. Why doesn't Japan ask the Sudanese Government to improve human rights and democratization in this regard?

A: That is certainly quite a good question, because, after all, it does touch upon our ODA Charter. Of course, we have to adhere to the principles enshrined in the ODA Charter. So, I think you have quoted the case of human rights violation which would impede any offering of our ODA. But, what we did for that country was not usual ODA in accordance with the ODA Charter; but is was rather assistance from a humanitarian, emergency perspective. Therefore, it was a sort of aid channeled through the international organization which takes care of the question of food shortages. So, I think our humanitarian offer should be construed as part of the multilateral efforts towards offering humanitarianassistance to any country. May I remind you, in this connection, that we decided to offer as much as 300,000 tons of rice to North Korea.

Q: But, this aid to Sudan is direct, or through international organizations?

A: Through the World Food Programme (WFP).
Overseas visits of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan
Q: May I ask a cultural question? A: Yes, if I can answer your question.

Q: To promote international exchange of culture, the Emperor of Japan has visited several countries around the world -- the United States, European countries and Asian countries -- but he has never been in countries such as the Arab Republic of Egypt. As far as I know, President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt has extended an invitation to His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, but he has never visited Egypt. Do you think there is a chance for such a visit?

A: I can't possibly say anything on behalf of the Imperial Family, but, in the first place, I would never agree with you when you say that the visits abroad of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan are a sort of a promotion of cultural exchanges. I rather conceive his visits as a manifestation of the strengthening of a good-will relationship. So, I think a visit of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan would be more than mere cultural exchange. But, coming back to your question, I still cannot say. For this year, we do not foresee any visit to be realized by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. For the next year, I am quite sure that discussions will be underway between the Cabinet and the Imperial Household Agency. We are quite happy to see that there are so many countries which do welcome the visit of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, including your Government. I am quite sure that the strong interest of your Government will be well noted by those people concerned.
Japan's rice assistance for North Korea
Mr. Naoaki Usui (McGraw-Hill): Could you update us on the current situation on the 300,000 tons of rice being donated to North Korea?

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Terusuke Terada: The exact information should come from the Food Agency, not from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But according to the information which we have received from that Agency, we understand that they have already started to load the first shipment of rice. I understand that we anticipate some 44,000 tons of rice to be earmarked as the first shipment from five different ports throughout Japan. The rice which we intend to make available is composed of rice from the People's Republic of China and the Kingdom of Thailand.

Mr. Naoaki Usui (McGraw-Hill): So, the Government is not clear when these ships are leaving?

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Terusuke Terada: As a matter of fact, according to what I was told, the first ship from North Korea is already here in Tokyo, but it does take time to load such a huge quantity of rice -- sometimes more than a week. The loading of rice is subject to weather conditions. On a fine day like today, the loading would be quite all right. But, when the weather is rather bad, you can't load any rice whatsoever. In other words, the rice is already there, but the loading is, in fact, at the mercy of the weather. Mr. Naoaki Usui (McGraw-Hill): Just because of the weather?

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Terusuke Terada: Yes. That's all.

Mr. Naoaki Usui (McGraw-Hill): My second question related to this issue is -- I understand that North Korea guaranteed or pledged that this rice would be for civilian consumption, but is there any mechanism to monitor whether that commitment is observed?

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Terusuke Terada: We do have two forms of rice supply this time. In other words, we are offering 150,000 tons of rice on the basis of deferred payment. In that case, of course, we have made it clear in our contract that the rice should not be destined for military purposes. I must admit that we do not have any specific mechanism in place to supervise the accomplishment of the contract condition. But of course, we do have the intention of making sure that the terms of the contract should be met. When it comes to the question of rice supply on a grant basis -- you know that this is to be done through the arrangement between the Japanese and North Korean Red Crosses. In this case, the Japanese Red Cross will request its North Korean counterpart that this particular condition be met, and that they be kept informed. It is rather easier for the Japanese Red Cross to keep track of the rice supply, through the mechanism under the name of the North Korean Red Cross.

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