Press Conference 20 October 2000

1. Statement on the passing of the "Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000" by the Senate of the United States Congress
2. Japan's emergency aid to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
3. Announcement on the situation in the Solomon Islands
4. Announcement on recent developments in the Republic of the Fiji Islands
5. Visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice Chancellor Joschka Fischer of the Federal Republic of Germany
6. Visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lakshman Kadirgamar of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
7. Questions on the status of the Japanese embassy in the Republic of Iraq
8. Air traffic between Japan and Iraq
9. Question on sanctions against Iraq
10. Membership of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM)
11. Question on the upcoming visit of President Seyyed Mohammad Khatami of the Islamic Republic of Iran

1. Statement on the passing of the "Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000" by the Senate of the United States Congress

   Deputy Press Secretary Chikahito Harada: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I would like to start with several announcements.

   My first announcement is on the statement that Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono made yesterday on the passing of the "Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000" by the Senate of the United States Congress.

   On 18 October, following the House of Representatives, the Senate of the United States Congress passed a bill that stipulates that the revenue from anti-dumping duties and countervailing duties shall be distributed to the domestic producers who had filed the petitions.

   The Government of Japan is concerned that the enactment of the Act will provide double protection for U.S. domestic producers in dumping and subsidization from overseas, and thereby prompt such problems as the increase of filing of anti-dumping petitions by U.S. domestic producers who aim at receiving the distribution. The World Trade Organization (WTO) consistency of the Act is another matter of concern for the Government of Japan. The Government of Japan, therefore, cannot help expressing its regret at the passing of such a protective act.

   The Government of Japan strongly hopes that the Government of the United States of America will act in a responsible manner and avoid sending misleading messages that might be interpreted as allowing the rise of protectionism.

   Related Information (Japan-The United States Relations)
   
2. Japan's emergency aid to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

   Mr. Harada: My second announcement is on Japan's emergency aid to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

   The Government of Japan has decided to provide emergency aid of up to US$10 million to Yugoslavia, including US$5.7 million in aid to refugees to be contributed through the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This assistance is primarily aimed at assisting the winterization of the Yugoslav people.

   Japan has been providing assistance to Yugoslavia from a humanitarian standpoint. It is becoming an urgent task for the new administration of President Vojislav Kostunica of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to assist the people in getting through the winter, especially as a food shortage is anticipated this winter because of the drought in the summer of this year. In view of such circumstances, Japan has decided to extend emergency aid to Yugoslavia centering on food and medicine.

   Japan intends to continue to support Yugoslavia's efforts for democratization and its return to the international community.

   Related Information (Japan-Serbia and Montenegro Relations)
   
3. Announcement on the situation in the Solomon Islands

   Mr. Harada: My third announcement today is on the situation in the Solomon Islands.

   In the Solomon Islands, political instability has existed since the detention of Prime Minister Ulufa'alu in June. The Government of the Solomon Islands, Mailaita Eagle Force (MEF), and the Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM), after engaging in peace talks facilitated by the efforts of the Governments of Australia and New Zealand, signed a peace agreement on 15 October in Townsville, Australia.

   The Government of Japan welcomes the peace agreement and highly appreciates the mediation efforts made by Australia and New Zealand. It also strongly hopes that this agreement will lead to the resolution of ethnic conflict and the restoration of political stability in the Solomon Islands. The Government of Japan will cooperate with international organizations to help the reconstruction of the Solomon Islands.

   Related Information (Japan-Solomon Relations)
   
4. Announcement on recent developments in the Republic of the Fiji Islands

   Mr. Harada: In the Republic of the Fiji Islands, the Constitution Review Commission of the administration led by Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase had the first meeting for the purpose of completing a draft of a new constitution by March next year so that a general election can be called by 30 June 2002. The Government of Japan welcomes the start of the process to restore democracy in Fiji.

   The Government of Japan believes that democracy should be restored through dialogue and cooperation among all groups of people in Fiji. To that end, the Government of Japan has reiterated the importance of the early restoration of democracy to President Josesa Iloilo and Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase through Ambassador Hisato Murayama in Fiji, and it continues such efforts.

   Related Information (Japan-Fiji Relations)
   
5. Visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice Chancellor Joschka Fischer of the Federal Republic of Germany

   Mr. Harada: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice Chancellor Joschka Fischer of the Federal Republic of Germany will visit Japan on 30 and 31 October as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

   Foreign Minister Kono and Foreign Minister Fischer will hold regular consultations to exchange views on bilateral and international issues. The foreign ministers will also sign the second revision of the Agenda for Japan-Germany Partnership, which was originally agreed upon in 1996 and revised in 1997. Foreign Minister Fischer will also visit Hiroshima on 31 October.

   Related Information (Japan-Germany Relations)
   
6. Visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lakshman Kadirgamar of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

   Mr. Harada: Minister of Foreign Affairs Lakshman Kadirgamar of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka will be visiting Japan from 21 to 25 October.

   Foreign Minister Kono and Foreign Minister Kadirgamar will meet on 23 October and exchange views on bilateral issues, Japan's cooperation with the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SARC), and the situation in Southwest Asia.

   Related Information (Japan-Sri Lanka Relations)
   
7. Questions on the status of the Japanese embassy in the Republic of Iraq

   Q: A media report said that the Japanese Government is going to reopen its embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. Do you have any comment on this?

   Mr. Harada: I read that news report, but we are not considering stationing our diplomats permanently in the Republic of Iraq. The Government is now considering increasing the frequency of visits by our diplomats to Iraq, as well as extending the duration of their stays in Iraq. The main purpose of those trips to Iraq by our diplomats is twofold: information gathering and the maintenance of our embassy building in Iraq. However, this does not mean that we are contemplating changing our policy toward Iraq or the status of our embassy.

   Q: How many diplomats?

   Mr. Harada: We have not come to a final decision, but we are considering sending two diplomats on each occasion. To date, we have sent our diplomats once every two months, but as I told you, we are considering increasing the frequency.

   Related Information (Japan-Iraq Relations)
   
8. Air traffic between Japan and Iraq

   Q: Do you think that Iraqi airlines will be flying between Baghdad and Japan as they did before the Gulf War?

   Mr. Harada: At this moment we do not have any plan to have direct flights operating between Japan and Iraq.

   Related Information (Japan-Iraq Relations)
   
9. Question on sanctions against Iraq

   Q: Does Japan feel that sanctions against Iraq are due to end? According also to a member of the Diet, who was quoted as indicating that it was time to review the sanctions.

   Mr. Harada: The position of the Japanese Government is that Iraq should implement the United Nations Security Council Resolution concerned.

   Q: So you consider that Iraq has not finished?

   Mr. Harada: Not fully.

   Related Information (Japan-Iraq Relations)
   
10. Membership of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM)

    Q: The third ASEM opens in Seoul today, but India and the whole of South Asia is excluded. Japan is an important member of ASEM as well as Asia. How or why does Japan accept the exclusion of almost half of Asia from ASEM? Does Japan have any opinion about this? Particularly India--why is India excluded, despite the fact that it is a dialogue partner of ASEAN and also a member of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)?

    Mr. Harada: As you know, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) was started on the initiative of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), particularly the Republic of Singapore. It was ASEAN that decided which countries should take part in ASEM from the Asian side, which is ASEAN plus Japan, the People's Republic of China, and the Republic of Korea.

    At the third ASEM Summit Meeting I understand that the criteria for membership of ASEM will be discussed. If agreement is reached on the criteria, then ASEM will consider which countries should participate in ASEM in the future.

    Related Information (ASEM3)
    
11. Question on the upcoming visit of President Seyyed Mohammad Khatami of the Islamic Republic of Iran

    Q: I read a Kyodo report saying that the Iranian President made a precondition that Japan agrees to finance a railway project in Iran before coming to Japan. The report said that the Japanese Government might not finance this project. Do you have any extra information about this issue?

    Mr. Harada: The Iranian side has not set any preconditions for the visit to Japan by President Seyyed Mohammad Khatami of the Islamic Republic of Iran. That report is based on speculation.

    The Government is now preparing for this important visit in cooperation with the Iranian side. I am sure that this visit will provide a very important impetus for the promotion of bilateral relations between Japan and Iran. I am not in a position to give you any information at this stage on concrete agenda items or possible results of the visit.

    Related Information (Japan-Iran Relations)