Press Conference by the Press Secretary 2 July, 1999

1. Introduction of new Deputy Press Secretary / Deputy Director-General for Press and Public Relations Chikahito Harada
2. Response of the Government of Japan to reported attack on the regional office of the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET)
3. Japan-Commonwealth of Australia bilateral relations

1. Introduction of new Deputy Press Secretary / Deputy Director-General for Press and Public Relations Chikahito Harada

   Deputy Press Secretary Chikahito Harada: Good afternoon. Since this is my first press conference, I just want to say before I start the formal press conference, that I want to establish a good working relationship with the foreign press in Tokyo, so I would like to ask for your cooperation and the cooperation of your colleagues.

2. Response of the Government of Japan to reported attack on the regional office of the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET)

   Deputy Press Secretary Chikahito Harada: I would like to start my press conference by making one comment on East Timor. According to the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET), the regional office in Maliana which is situated about 100 kilometers southwest of Dili was attacked on 29 June by reportedly about 100 pro-integration militia and one member of UNAMET and a few East Timorese were injured and the regional office of UNAMET suffered serious damage. We are deeply concerned about this attack and strongly hope that all parties concerned will make maximum efforts to ensure the safety of members of UNAMET and security in East Timor. In this regard, Japanese Ambassador Takao Kawakami will, in the very near future, make a démarche to the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, military and police at a high-level to request again their maximum efforts to this end. On reconciliation for the East Timorese people, we welcome such recent efforts as the Dili II Meeting held from 25 to 30 June with the participation of both pro-independence and pro-integration groups. We do hope such efforts will continue.

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3. Japan-Commonwealth of Australia bilateral relations

   Q: What is Japan hoping to achieve during the visit next by Australian Prime Minister John Howard and what about the disputes about southern blue fin tuna and rice?

   Mr. Harada: We do have a very fruitful cooperative relationship with the Commonwealth of Australia and we do have in fact a very solid basis for that. I understand in 1995, at the time of the Japan-Australia Ministerial Committee, there was agreement on this Japan-Australia Partnership Declaration. In 1997 we carried it further and agreed on a whole set of agenda entitled "The Japan-Australia Partnership Agenda" which has set out the possibilities for further cooperation in 18 areas. We feel that this is indeed a very opportune time for our two countries to share a vision for the future-orientated partnership between Japan and Australia. So in that spirit, I expect the two leaders will discuss the various aspects of the Japan-Australia bilateral relationship, Japan-Australia participation in the Asia-Pacific region and also Japan-Australia cooperation in the global community. In essence we are trying to build a future-orientated partnership and we look forward to the broadening and deepening of this partnership. What sort of specific subjects may be discussed will be up to the leaders but on the basis of what I have said, I am sure they will be looking into possible new areas of cooperation.

   The second question you raised is related to southern blue fish tuna. On this question, we have been discussing this with Australia and also with New Zealand. Our discussions on the subject have not come to a successful conclusion. The Government of the Commonwealth of Australia earlier this month announced that it has decided to institute legal action over this and we are now in the process of further clarifying exactly what courses may be followed. We are in touch with the Government of Australia and also the Government of New Zealand on this. Japan continues to approach this issue with a view to reaching a satisfactory resolution through negotiations. We have not given up on negotiations, so we will continue to make maximum efforts to that end. One point I would like to make is that we do not think that this particular issue should or could mark the overall friendly, fruitful cooperative relationship between Japan and Australia.

   On the issue of rice, I think you also mean the general area of agriculture. I am sure, given our shared commitment to the World Trade Organization (WTO), it is quite possible that the two leaders will discuss the next round of negotiations and that will be the context in which the two leaders will be approaching the question of trade. However, I do not want to prejudge the result of the discussion of the two leaders.

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