Press Conference by the Press Secretary 1 March 1996

Downing of two civil aircraft of the United States by the Republic of Cuba
Acting Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Last Tuesday, Press Secretary and Director-General for Press and Public Relations Hiroshi Hashimoto of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made an official statement regarding this matter. However, in light of subsequent developments, I would like to make a few additional comments regarding this incident. As you are aware, on 27 February, the President of the United Nations Security Council issued a statement requesting the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to investigate this incident. This matter will be discussed in the ICAO council meeting which will start today, 1 March, in Montreal. The Government of Japan hopes that the facts are brought to light by the ICAO investigation as soon as possible. We also hope that the parties exercise restraint, so as not to aggravate regional tensions caused by the incident. Japan's position on the incident is very clear. It was stated by Press Secretary Hashimoto on Tuesday, 27 February. We believe that the shooting down of unarmed, defenseless civil aircraft cannot be condoned under any circumstances. We basically share the views contained in the United Nations Security Council Presidential Statement which strongly deplored the downing of the aircraft.

That is the announcement that I wanted to make and I will be delighted to respond to any questions that you might have.

Q: Regarding this Cuban incident, as far as I read the situation, there have obviously been some violations of internationally established procedures on the part of the Cuban Air Force jets. You have called for restraint on these parties, etc., but the United States is imposing stricter sanctions on Cuba. In that respect, does Japan have any plans to make its sanctions stricter or complain to the Cuban diplomats here? Any disciplinary actions, so to speak?

A: The question of economic sanctions, in our view, is a bilateral matter between the United States and Cuba. Our position on the downing of the planes is as I have stated.

Q: But, does Japan have any plans to take similar actions vis-à-vis Cuba?

A: I think we have said what we have in public, and they are very well aware of what the Japanese position is.

Q: Well, I am not well aware if Japan is taking stronger actions with substance, other than delivering statements.

A: If the question is whether Japan has, at the present moment, any plans to impose sanctions on Cuba, on its own, without any United Nations resolution, then the answer to that would be no.

Q: Do you see any chances that the ASEM in Bangkok may bring up this subject?

A: The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) -- for your information, I think there is a consensus to call this meeting "ah-sem," not "eh-sem." I used to call it "eh-sem" myself, but I found out when I went to Phuket with Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda that everybody there was calling it "ah-sem." I almost forgot your question. Of course the participants in the Meeting are free to discuss whatever they wish. There is no restriction on the subjects to be discussed in the Meeting. However, this is a meeting between Asian countries and European countries, and the purpose of the Meeting is to establish dialogue, a new partnership, between Asia and Europe. And, the two parties in this incident -- the downing of the planes -- are not present in Bangkok. My personal guess is it is very unlikely that this will be discussed in the Bangkok Meeting.
Japan-Republic of Korea bilateral meeting at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Bangkok
Q: Tomorrow, Prime Minister Hashimoto is going to meet President Kim of the Republic of Korea. Could you tell us how long they are going to meet and what they are expected to talk about?

A: Yes, I would be very glad to. The meeting will take place tomorrow afternoon on 2 March. It will last for about an hour. There is no fixed agenda. The two leaders will discuss whatever they consider important. The substance of the meeting is entirely up to the two leaders. Our guess is that the bilateral relationship between Japan and the Republic of Korea in general will be taken up, and also the situation on the Korean Peninsula will be discussed.

Q: The bilateral relations in general between Japan and the Republic of Korea, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula, obviously are important subjects, but at the same time, the former one, the bilateral relations involving the issue of Takeshima Island -- what kind of exchange do you expect between the two leaders on this specific issue?

A: I do not want to speculate on the contents of a meeting which has not taken place yet. We will be providing a full read-out of the meeting to the press as soon as it is over. But, regarding the question of Takeshima, Japan has maintained a consistent position on the subject of Takeshima. At the same time, we strongly believe that differences over this issue should not undermine the friendly and cooperative ties between Japan and the Republic of Korea. We consider the good ties between the two countries to be of vital importance to the two countries, and to the stability of northeast Asia. Japan and the Republic of Korea share common values and interests. Japan values this relationship. That is our basic position regarding our bilateral ties with the Republic of Korea. While I do not know what Prime Minister Hashimoto will say regarding the bilateral relationship, I do think whatever he says will be along the lines of this basic position.

Q: Is this summit to be held just by two or is, for example, Mr. Ikeda going to attend?

A: I do not know.
Japan's position regarding the situation in North Korea
Q: What about this situation in Korea? It appears that the interpretation of the situation in North Korea has been slightly changing. Now, the Japanese Government seems to evaluate the situation as more fluid, or on the brink of further trouble in North Korea. What do you think of that?

A: Japan's views on the situation in North Korea were stated by Press Secretary Hashimoto in the briefing held on Tuesday. I think you were there.

Q: Yes. That is why I asked the question.

A: So, I will not answer the question, because whatever I say will be the same as what he said.

Q: It appears to have slightly changed from the earlier official view of the Foreign Minister. Earlier, you were saying that they are facing a shortage of energy and food, but it does not directly mean famine. Now, Press Secretary Hashimoto sounds like he is implicating that the real very early signs of collapse may be visible or something.

A: I do not think he said that. I read the transcript and I am sure he did not say that. My briefing paper, which is the same as the one he used, does not say that North Korea is on the verge of collapse. I think it is widely believed that Secretary Kim Jong Il of North Korea is at the helm of Government and exercising leadership. However, there are serious problems in North Korea, such as shortages of food and energy, and we have to keep a close eye on the situation there. That has been, more or less, the position that we have been taking all along. There have always been diverse views on the situation in North Korea. Factual information on what is going on in North Korea is hard to come by. In any case, we need to follow the situation very closely.
Japan's position on the use of economic sanctions as an instrument of diplomacy
Q: I would like to know what Japan's basic position is on economic sanctions as an instrument of diplomacy, not only procurement, but the basics.

A: That is a very difficult question to answer in general terms. We cannot say that we are opposed to economic sanctions, because there a number of cases in which we have gone along with economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations. Let me turn to Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA). I think you are well aware of Japan's ODA Charter -- the Four Principles. The ODA Charter requires the Government to take a close look at trends in the development of weapons of mass destruction, military spending, and also developments in democratization, human rights, and market-oriented reform. In any case, we do not apply these criteria automatically. For example, if a situation occurs in a country which needs to be looked at very closely in light of the ODA Charter -- let us say negative developments in human rights, for example -- we do not cut assistance to that country automatically. We look at trends. We talk to these countries and encourage them to take steps to restore a more democratic situation in that country. If such efforts through dialogue fail, as a last resort, we might consider the suspension of aid to that country -- but only as a last resort. We look at trends and the overall bilateral relationship with that country.
Membership similarities between the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and East Asian Economic Caucus (EAEC)
Q: At yesterday's ASEM, Japanese, Chinese, and South Korean leaders met in Bangkok. Can that meeting be regarded as the beginning of a Malaysian EAEC?

A: The answer to that is NO, in bold letters. It is pure coincidence that the membership is the same as the proposed East Asian Economic Caucus (EAEC). As you know, the possibility of expanding membership on the Asian side of the ASEM is now being considered. Thank you very much.

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