Press Conference by the Press Secretary April 18, 1997

Visit to the United States, Australia and New Zealand by Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto will be leaving Japan on the evening of 24 April and will be returning on 1 May. He will be visiting the United States of America, Australia, and New Zealand, in that order. On the first leg of his trip, he will be staying in the United States from 24-26 April where he will be having a summit meeting with President William Clinton of the United States on 25 April. He will also be visiting the Congress, and he will be giving a speech at the National Press Club. He will be visiting Australia on 28 and 29 April where he will be having a bilateral summit meeting with Prime Minister John Howard of Australia. He will also be attending a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Howard at which he will be delivering a speech. On 29 and 30 April, Prime Minister Hashimoto will be visiting New Zealand where he will be having a meeting with Prime Minister James B. Bolger of New Zealand. Let me explain briefly the significance for Japan of these visits. Starting with the United States, this will be the first bilateral summit meeting between Prime Minister Hashimoto and President Clinton since the start of the Second Clinton Administration this January. The two leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of subjects, including the various aspects of the bilateral relationship and key international issues, particularly the Asia and Pacific. Regarding Prime Minister Hashimoto's visit to Australia, Prime Minister Howard visited Japan in September of last year. The Japanese side would like to take the opportunity of Prime Minister Hashimoto's visit to Australia to reaffirm the cooperative ties between the two countries, which are in excellent shape, and also underscore to the world the determination of the two countries to move forward the partnership which is beneficial not only to the two countries, but to the entire Asia-Pacific region. With respect to New Zealand, this will be the first bilateral summit meeting since Prime Minister Bolger's new government was sworn in last year in December. We hope to reaffirm the bilateral relationship which is in very good shape, and also we would like for the two leaders to establish a good personal rapport.
Discussion topics between Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto and President William Clinton of the United States
Q: Will there be a discussion of security aspects during Prime Minister Hashimoto's visit with Clinton?

Spokesman Shimanouchi: I am not going to make any predictions about what the two leaders will specifically discuss. But, we do expect the two leaders to discuss various issues in the context of the Japan-U.S. security arrangements. We expect the two leaders to underscore the necessity of dealing earnestly with issues related to Okinawa.

Q: On the economy, if President Clinton were to express concerns over domestic demand-led growth, or the lack of it, in Japan, what kind of response could he expect from Prime Minister Hashimoto?

Spokesman Shimanouchi: I am not in a position to put words in Prime Minister Hashimoto's mouth. All I can say at this time is that we do expect the two leaders to discuss bilateral issues. In this context, they will discuss the economic aspect of the bilateral relationship, which naturally is an important component of the bilateral ties.
Japan-Republic of Cuba discussions
Q: What was Japan's response to the promises made by Cuban Foreign Minister Rovaina yesterday?

Spokesman Shimanouchi: Let me describe very briefly what transpired in the meetings that Minister of Foreign Relations Roberto Rovaina Gonzales of the Republic of Cuba had with Prime Minister Hashimoto, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda and State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Masahiko Koumura. In all three meetings, the focus was the hostage crisis in Lima. In all three meetings, the Japanese side expressed its appreciation for Cuba's decision to accept Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) members once an agreement is achieved by the parties. In response to this expression of appreciation by the Japanese side, Foreign Minister Rovaina told us that Cuba made the decision to accept the MRTA members from a humanitarian perspective in response to a formal request. He said that Cuba hoped that the incident will be resolved quickly and that Cuba was prepared to continue extending cooperation to that end. In his meeting with Foreign Minister Ikeda, they did discuss foreign bilateral relations. They talked about cultural exchanges, particularly in connection with the hundredth anniversary of Japanese immigration to Cuba, which we will be celebrating next year. Foreign Minister Ikeda said that Japan would like to support cultural projects which will be held in the context of the commemoration of the centennial. They also talked about United Nations reform and grant assistance for grass roots projects. Let me describe briefly what this scheme is like. The purpose of this scheme is to provide non-refundable financial assistance to NGOs, hospitals, primary schools, research institutes and other non-profit organizations in developing countries. In order for any non-profit organization to be eligible for Grant Assistance for Grass Roots Projects (GGP), the only requirement is that it be a non-profit organization implementing development projects at the grass roots level in eligible countries. As long as a development project is geared toward grass roots assistance, it can be eligible for financing under the scheme. However, particular attention is given to projects in such areas as primary health care, primary education, poverty relief, public welfare and the environment. This is not an exhaustive list, but I am just giving you some examples. The general rule is that the grant amount per project cannot exceed US$100,000. In no case can it exceed US$200,000. Ever since the year before last, the Government of Japan and the Government of Cuba have been discussing the initiation of this scheme in Cuba. In yesterday's meeting, Foreign Minister Ikeda told Foreign Minister Rovaina that he hoped that this scheme for Cuba would be realized soon.

Q: Could you confirm that there was a secret letter that was sent out between the Prime Minister and a Cuban official?

Spokesman Shimanouchi: There was a letter from President Fidel Castro of the Republic of Cuba to Prime Minister Hashimoto. I can confirm that Foreign Minister Rovaina handed this letter to Prime Minister Hashimoto, but I cannot disclose the contents.
Food aid to North Korea
Q: How far along in the debate is Japan in whether or not to send food aid to North Korea? Also, today, the Japanese media reported that customs officials intercepted a North Korean freighter in Miyazaki Prefecture and it was found to have seven kilograms of illegal stimulants. Is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs aware of that and will it affect aid to North Korea?

Spokesman Shimanouchi: I am not aware of this newspaper report. I will have to check and get back to you on that. With regard to the issue of food assistance to North Korea, on 7 April the United Nations issued a consolidated appeal for humanitarian assistance to North Korea. Currently, we are looking at the contents of this appeal. We will consider the matter carefully, taking into account various factors. Then, we will make a decision on the basis of such overall considerations.

Q: Do those considerations include any discussions regarding such issues as immigration problems or incidents involving shipping violations?

Spokesman Shimanouchi: Since I am not aware of this newspaper report, I cannot comment directly on it. But, when I say that we have to take a number of factors into consideration, that means we have to take into account how the Japanese people feel about extending assistance to North Korea. The Japanese people are not necessarily comfortable with the idea of extending assistance to North Korea when such issues as the suspected kidnappings of Japanese and the issues of Japanese wives in North Korea remain unresolved. In the eyes of the Japanese, these are also humanitarian issues. The Government, in considering this matter, naturally has to take these sentiments of the Japanese people into account.
Travel plans for ministers during Golden Week
Q: Do you know which ministers are going abroad during Golden Week?

Spokesman Shimanouchi: I am only aware of Prime Minister Hashimoto's visit to the United States, Australia and New Zealand. That does not mean that other ministers will not be travelling overseas.

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