Press Conference by the Press Secretary 3 September 1996

Introduction to the press conference and summary of recent activity which transpired during the summer holiday
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome back to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regular press conference. More than one month has passed since my last briefing to you on 26 July. During that period, the Government of Japan has been active in international relations, notably Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto visited Latin America, and Ministry for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda visited the Middle East. Now, in September, the Government of Japan has been intensifying its efforts to have the CTBT (Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty) resolutions adopted at the expected General Assembly of the United Nations; the next session of the General Assembly will be convened soon. Having said this, I would like to quickly explain to you what Foreign Minister Ikeda and Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiroku Kajiyama explained to Japanese journalists in their briefing on the Republic of Iraq situation.
Military involvement in Kurdistan by the Republic of Iraq
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: First of all, about three hours ago, Chargﾃｩ d'Affairs Rust Deming of the United States Embassy in Tokyo came to see Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Sadayuki Hayashi. Mr. Deming relayed the position of the United Nations on this issue. Now, the senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are reporting to the Prime Minister. After the end of our report on the meeting between Mr. Deming and Mr. Hayashi, I believe the Minister for Foreign Affairs will debrief you on the meeting between the two gentlemen. But, for the time being, unfortunately, I cannot explain to you the content of the talks between them. Having said this, I would like to explain to you the position of the Government of Japan on this, reflecting what Chief Cabinet Secretary Kajiyama and Foreign Minister Ikeda have said so far. The Government of Japan has not yet obtained full information on what is going on over there. Therefore, what the Government of Japan can say is just in general terms. If Iraq continuously fails to observe the related resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, and continues to take a provocative attitude in the northern parts of Iraq toward international society, it is, in principle, understandable to take necessary measures to secure the implementation of the related resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. However, I would like to once again explain that we do not know the details of the situation, and we are not, therefore, in a position to make detailed comments on this. In fact, this is what I can say.

That is the announcement that I wanted to make, and I will be delighted to respond to any questions that you might have.
Communication between nations regarding the Republic of Iraq situation
Q: Is Japan discussing this matter with other countries like the United States?

A: We expect that probably in New York, the United Nations Security Council will discuss this matter. We are not a member of the Security Council, so for the time being, we are waiting to see what sort of discussion will take place there. As far as the information obtained by the United States is concerned, after we report the meeting between Mr. Deming and Mr. Hayashi to the Prime Minister, we will tell you what has been conveyed by the Government of the United States to the Government of Japan.

Q: Is there any contact between the Japanese Government and other countries in the middle East?

A: In the Middle East?

Q: Say, Saudi Arabia, or Egypt?

A: Apart from the usual exchange of views, I have not obtained any particular information in relation to your question.

Q: Was the matter raised in any of the meetings which British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind had there?

A: I understand that this particular issue was not raised by the two gentlemen during the official consultation. They covered many fields, but I do not recall that they talked about this particular issue.
Japanese financial assistance to Kurdish refugees
Q: Would Japan be prepared to provide any material support to encourage Iraq to abide by United Nations Security Council resolutions?

A: We have been contributing financially to the Kurdish refugees in Iraq since April 1991, and we have contributed more than US$100 million so far.
Japanese support of United Nations resolutions relating to the Republic of Iraq situation
Q: Any international action that you encourage?

A: Apart from that, what the Government of Japan can do is rather limited. I do not recall anything apart from the financial contributions.

Q: In what sense is it limited? Why can't the Japanese Government do anything more than contribute to Kurdish refugees?

A: Our presence in Iraq is rather limited. I cannot say why our activities have been limited, but as far as financial contributions are concerned, I believe we have been playing an appropriate role in this matter.

Q: What about the future? If the United Nations should ask for or expect some material assistance in Iraq?

A: We support the United Nations resolutions, especially United Nations Security Council Resolution 688. As far as the future measures to be taken by the United Nations are concerned, we will maintain contact with the P-5 countries and other countries, and study what we can do.

Q: So, if the international community was to take some kind of military action in Kurdistan, it is not inconceivable that Japan might contribute to that?

A: First of all, Japan is not permitted to be involved in military operations over there. Apart from our financial contributions to the Kurdish refugees, we still do not know what actions the United Nations Security Council will take -- we will have to wait and see. We have some limitations under the Constitution.

Q: So, if military action were undertaken, it's inconceivable that Japan would participate in that?

A: That is right -- inconceivable.

Q: Short of military action, what kind of assistance could Japan provide under the present constitutional arrangements? Logistical help?

A: Theoretically, we can provide financial contributions, but as far as the present Peace-keeping Operations (PKO) Law is concerned, basically, we cannot send our personnel to an area of conflict. Apart from that, what we can do is going to be studied. I am sorry I cannot explain further on what we can do. But, in any case, for the time being, what the Government of Japan has been doing is contacting as many countries as possible, especially the P-5 countries, about what is going on over there, and on what actions can be taken by the P-5, etc. So, I am sure that Japan will take appropriate steps in this regard.
Japanese support of United Nations Security Council Resolution 688
Q: There is an ambiguity, isn't there, about the U.N. resolutions concerning the safe areas and the no-fly zones? Because, the Chinese vetoed any mention of the use of force. In Japan's view, is it legitimate for the international community to use force? Does Japan believe that that violates the United Nations Resolution, or goes beyond the United Nations Resolution?

A: We are not sure if the measures so far taken by the United States, the United Kingdom, and the French Republic to engage in the air patrolling of that area is in keeping with conduct outlined by United Nations Security Council Resolution 688 or not. It seems that there are some different interpretations on this matter. At the same time, there has been an argument as to whether Iraq's invasion in that area is clearly against Resolution 688 or not. But, the Government of Japan will not make a comment on this legal interpretation.

Q: Why not?

A: We would like to further reflect on possible debate in the United Nations Security Council on this matter. Unfortunately, Japan is not a member of the United Nations Security Council.

Q: So, the Japanese position on this is you will support any decision taken by the United Nations Security Council, you will continue to make financial contributions to help Kurdish refugees, but for constitutional reasons, you will not take part in any military actions?

A: What I can say is that it is, in principle, understandable to take necessary measures to secure the implementation of the Resolution, but apart from that, we have not yet made any decisions as to what we should do. What I have explained to you is that the Government of Japan has been contributing financially to the Kurdish refugees.

Q: So, you're basically waiting to see what will happen?

A: We have been notified of the United States' position, and the Government of Japan, I am sure, is exchanging views with the countries concerned. Within present constitutional law, I am sure that the Government of Japan is going to study what we should do.
Japan-U.S. communication relating to the Republic of Iraq situation
Q: I understand that Mr. Deming delivered a letter. Was that a letter from President Clinton to Prime Minister Hashimoto?

A: I cannot make a comment on that. Soon, when our senior officials come back from the Prime Minister's office, we will explain to you what the content of the talks was.

Q: So, there will be a briefing in the other room?

A: We will not hold a briefing in English, so I will ask you to get the information from the Kasumi Club afterwards.

Q: Do you have any idea what time that briefing will be?

A: Still, our officials have not returned from the Prime Minister's office. Sometime this afternoon, I suppose.

Q: This may have been addressed before I arrived, but has there been any communications between the Government of Japan and people in the American administration above the embassy level? Has Warren Christopher or the President spoken to the Prime Minister or the Foreign Minister?

A: As far as I understand, before Mr. Deming came to see Mr. Hayashi, there was no contact of this sort.
Briefing to be held at the Kasumi Club on the Republic of Iraq situation
Q: What do you foresee happening in this situation? Do you expect air strikes in northern Iraq?

A: There has been speculation regarding that possibility. But, we are just gathering information -- we cannot predict anything. Incidentally, I will hold a press conference for the Kasumi Club at 17:00 this afternoon. If I am, at that time, asked this question, I will answer. But, I do not know, before that time, whether my colleagues can explain to the Kasumi Club the contents of the talks between Mr. Deming and Mr. Hayashi. But, in any case, after they come back from the Prime Minister's office, in due course, the Japanese press will be briefed on this.
Visit to Middle East countries by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda
Q: Since Foreign Minister Ikeda came back from his tour of Middle East countries, how does the Japanese Government weigh the Middle East visits?

A: As far as Foreign Minister Ikeda's tour is concerned, we consider it very fruitful. Foreign Minister Ikeda encouraged both his Arab and Israeli colleagues to further accelerate the peace process, even step-by-step. Foreign Minister Ikeda made the position of the Government of Japan clear to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the State of Israel that the Israeli side should speed up the peace process. We understand that there is a wide gap between the positions of the Arab countries and the Government of Israel, but we are of the view that we have contributed further to creating an atmosphere so that the peace talks can be resumed.
Expected visit to Japan by Chairman Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Interim Self-Government
Q: I understand that Mr. Yasser Arafat will visit Tokyo soon. Can you confirm the date and whether Japan is going to announce new assistance to Palestine?

A: Chairman Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Interim Self-Government is expected to visit Japan from 10-13 August. During his stay in Japan, he will meet the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister. Foreign Minister Ikeda just met Chairman Arafat in the Middle East, and on the basis of that, Foreign Minister Ikeda wants to further exchange views on the peace process. However, at this moment, I cannot tell you whether Japan intends to extend new financial aid to the Palestinian people are not.

Q: Does Japan support this land for peace principle?

A: Yes.
Former United Kingdom prisoners of war
Q: During Foreign Secretary Rifkind's talks yesterday with Foreign Minister Ikeda, he raised the subject of the British prisoners of war who are suing the Japanese Government for compensation. I understand that Foreign Minister Ikeda responded. Could you tell us the substance of that exchange?

A: Foreign Secretary Rifkind mentioned the P.O.W. issue. He said that the Government of the United Kingdom understands that this issue has been solved legally, and at the same time, that the United Kingdom highly appreciates former-Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama's announcement on this last year. But, at the same time, Foreign Secretary Rifkind said that in the United Kingdom, strong feelings still remain. Foreign Minister Ikeda responded that the Government of Japan is well informed and knows of this issue.

Q: Did Foreign Secretary Rifkind suggest any ways in which the strong feelings could be swayed? Did he make any suggestions or requests to the Japanese Government?

A: I understand that Foreign Secretary Rifkind did not touched on that matter.
Application to the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) by the United Kingdom
Q: The joint document put out by the Japanese and British Governments yesterday also mentioned Britain's application to the ASEAN Regional Forum. I cannot remember the exact wording, but I believe it said that Japan took this seriously and intended to raise the matter during the ARF process. Does that mean that Japan supports Britain's application to join the ARF?

A: I would like to explain to you exactly what the Foreign Minister's reply was to this. Foreign Minister Ikeda said that United Kingdom participation in the ARF is a very important matter, so he will continue to raise this issue with the other relevant countries. Therefore, I do not think that Foreign Minister Ikeda said more than that.

Q: Does that mean that Mr. Ikeda will urge his fellow ARF members to accept Britain as a member?

A: I am sure that Foreign Minister Ikeda will continue to raise this issue and remind his colleagues of the importance which the Government of the United Kingdom attaches to this.

Q: So, you won't necessarily be saying, "Let's take Britain's number?" You will be saying something less than that -- you'll just be reminding them of Britain's desire, rather, urging Britain's membership?

A: Foreign Minister Ikeda said that United Kingdom participation in the ARF is a very important matter. Therefore, although I understand that he did not specifically say that the Government of Japan would support the membership, I believe the sympathy is over there.

Q: Sympathy, but not support?

A: I am not in a position to make a comment on behalf of Foreign Minister Ikeda. I had better reflect on what Foreign Minister Ikeda said.

Q: But, at no point did Foreign Minister Ikeda say, unequivocally, that Japan supports Britain's membership? Or, he stopped short of that?

A: As far as I understand, what Foreign Minister Ikeda said was limited to what I explained to you. Thank you very much.

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