Press Conference by the Press Secretary 25 February 2000

1. Announcement on the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution
2. Announcement on the visit to Japan of the Secretary of Economy and Trade Abd al-Hafidh Mahmud Zalitni of the Social People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
3. Position of Japan on the white paper published by the People's Republic of China on 21 February
4. Question on the renewal of drilling rights in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
5. Questions on the possible visit to Japan of the Dalai Lama and its implication on Japan's position regarding Taiwan and visa related issues
6. The position of the Government of Japan on the recent elections in the Islamic Republic of Iran
7. Questions concerning the G8 Summit and the role of the People's Republic of China in the process
8. The link between Japan's bilateral relations with the Republic of India and the issue of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)

1. Announcement on the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution

   Deputy Press Secretary Chikahito Harada: Good afternoon. Let me make two points to start with.

   The first is on the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution relating to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Japan welcomes the fact that on 24 February, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution (UNSCR 1291) authorizing the dispatch of up to 5,537 United Nations (U.N.) Peace Keeping Operations (PKO) personnel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, based on the conditions that the parties concerned provide assurances for the security and the cooperation to PKO personnel, and supporting the facilitation of the National Dialogue. Japan calls on all the parties concerned to extend utmost cooperation to the U.N. so that the U.N. personnel expanded by the resolution will be deployed and start operations as early as possible, and repeats its request for the fulfillment of the obligations under the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement in order to restore peace and stability in the country and the Great Lakes Region.

   Japan has been appealing for holding the National Dialogue to achieve national reconciliation in the country. Now that the U.N. Security Council has passed a resolution calling on all U.N. member states to provide support for the National Dialogue, Japan has decided to contribute US$300,000 to the U.N. Trust Fund to Support the Peace Process in Congo with a view to promoting the Dialogue in addition to the US$200,000 that Japan already announced for the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement. Japan strongly hopes that this assistance will help restore peace and stability in Congo and the Region.

   Related Information (Japan-the Democratic Republic of the Congo Relations)
   
2. Announcement on the visit to Japan of the Secretary of Economy and Trade Abd al-Hafidh Mahmud Zalitni of the Social People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

   Mr. Harada: My second announcement is on the visit to Japan of the Secretary of Economy and Trade Abd al-Hafidh Mahmud Zalitni of the Social People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. Secretary of Economy and Trade Zilitni visited Japan from 20-24 February on the invitation of the Government of Japan. This is the first ministerial visit from Libya in the past fifteen years. During his visit he met with Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono on 23 February. During the meeting both ministers agreed to make efforts to develop the bilateral relationship between Japan and Libya. Foreign Minister Kono said that its is Japan's political principle to take a strong position against terrorism and activities supporting terrorism and that it is extremely important to exterminate terrorism. Secretary of Economy and Trade Zilitni responded that Libya shares the position of the Government of Japan. Foreign Minister Kono asked Secretary of Economy and Trade Zilitni to convey the invitation to Secretary of the People's External Liaison and International Cooperation Bureau Omar Mustafa al-Montassir of Libya to visit Japan. Secretary of Economy and Trade Zilitni promised to do so and he also said that Libya will soon send an ambassador to Japan. I enter here the footnote that Japan already sent its ambassador to Libya last December.

   Just to give you a brief assessment on this visit, Japan regards the visit to Japan of Secretary of Economy and Trade Zilitni as an important step forward for restoring and fostering the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

   Related Information (Japan-Libya Relations)
   
3. Position of Japan on the white paper published by the People's Republic of China on 21 February

   Q: Will the issue of the white paper published by the Government of China on 21 February, including the Chinese position on Taiwan, be discussed when Secretary of Defense Cohen visits Japan?

   Mr. Harada: We are aware of the white paper published on 21 February which describes the position of the Government of the People's Republic of China on the relationship between China and Taiwan. However, I am not in a position to make comments on each and every part of the white paper.

   I can say that the Government of Japan strongly hopes that the issue relating to Taiwan will be settled peacefully through direct dialogue between the parties on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Concerning the visit of Secretary of Defense William Cohen of the United States of America, we are now consulting with the United States side, however, nothing has been decided yet, including timing and agenda. Therefore, I cannot say whether this issue will be taken up or not.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
   
4. Question on the renewal of drilling rights in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

   Q: Could you tell me what the latest situation is on the relationship between Japan and Saudi Arabia?

   Mr. Harada: We have been negotiating with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the renewal of drilling rights, but unfortunately we have not come to a successful conclusion. The Arabian oil company is trying to make final efforts, but since the private company is now negotiating with the Saudi Arabian side we are not in a position to make comments on its negotiation. We are watching very closely how the negotiation will develop. As far as the Government of Japan is concerned, we have already presented our final proposal to Saudi Arabia and hope that the Saudi Arabian side will reconsider our proposal. I would just like to add that Japan attaches great importance to its relationship with Saudi Arabia and irrespective of the outcome of this negotiation we will make every effort to strengthen our bilateral relationship with Saudi Arabia.

   Related Information (Japan-Saudi Arabia Relations)
   
5. Questions on the possible visit to Japan of the Dalai Lama and its implication on Japan's position regarding Taiwan and visa related issues

   Q: Has Japan come to a decision regarding the visa application of the Dalai Lama? Is it fair to say that since the Dalai Lama has visited Japan seven times in the past there should be no problem with this visa application? When will the visa be issued?

   Mr. Harada: We have received the application for an entry visa from the Dalai Lama and it is now being examined in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations. We have not come to a conclusion yet. I cannot tell you exactly when we will come to a decision.

   In response to the question that there should be no problem issuing the visa, we are now examining the application. This does not imply that there are or are not problems. Our conclusion on the entry visa does not amount to support for the position of the Dalai Lama on the status of Tibet. I will also add that our basic position on the status of Tibet is that this is a matter of the internal affairs of China and this position will not change.

   Q: What is Japan's position on Taiwan in light of the fact that it considers the issue concerning Tibet to be an internal matter for China? Does Japan regard Taiwan to be a matter for the internal affairs of China? After the presidential election in Taiwan, will President Lee be issued with a visa if he applies for one?

   Mr. Harada: I would like to recapitulate Japan's position with respect to Taiwan. Firstly, Japan firmly maintains the position expressed in the Japan-China Joint-Communique of 1972 that Japan fully understands and respects the stand of China that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China. Secondly, Japan will continue to maintain its non-governmental and working relations with Taiwan -- that is exchanges of a private and regional nature. Thirdly, the Government of Japan strongly hopes that the issue relating to Taiwan will be settled peacefully through direct dialogue between the parties on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Concerning the question on the visit to Japan of Mr. Teng-hui Lee, since we do not know of any concrete plan of his visit to Japan, I cannot comment on the question. Generally speaking, should there be an application for an entry visa, we would examine it in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
   
6. The position of the Government of Japan on the recent elections in the Islamic Republic of Iran

   Q: I heard some news from NHK that the Russian ambassador requested the support of the Foreign Minister for the reformists in Iran. Do you have any information on this matter?

   Mr. Harada: I do not know whether that report is accurate or not. I will explain the position of Japan on the recent result of the election which relates to your question. First of all, Japan welcomes the fact that the elections in the Islamic Republic of Iran took place in a democratic atmosphere and that the voting rate was extremely high. We understand that the actual counting of the voting is not finished yet, but we are keenly following what the results will finally be. At this moment, the reformists are nearing a majority and we believe that the result of this election will be a reflection of the will of the people of Iran. Even without the request from the Russian Federation, Japan has supported the reform policies conducted by President Mohammad Khatami of Iran.

   Related Information (Japan-Iran Relations)
   
7. Questions concerning the G8 Summit and the role of the People's Republic of China in the process

   Q: Do you think that there will be dialogue at the G8 Summit concerning civilizations in Iran?

   Mr. Harada: The Summit is now under preparation through the Sherpa process and we are consulting and coordinating with other G8 members on the issues we are going to take up. At this stage, I cannot answer your question because we have not come to a decision on the final agenda.

   Q: Can you offer any comment on the recent Chinese spokesman's remarks on the Summit?

   Mr. Harada: On 22 February, a Chinese spokesman said that China does not intend to take part in the G8 Summit Meeting. G8 members share a common recognition that it is necessary for G8 to listen to the views of non G8 members, including China. Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi said sometime ago that since China is an important country in Asia he would like to listen to the views and consider to reflect in some way the voices of China in the Summit Meeting.

   Q: Will Japan be inviting President Jiang Zemin to attend the Summit?

   Mr. Harada: Our basic position on the question of enlarging the Summit participants, including observers, is, generally speaking, a matter which requires careful consideration with a view to ensuring the effectiveness of discussions and policy coordination among the members of the Summit. Furthermore, there is also a question of whether China itself wants to participate in the Summit. Japan will closely consult with other G8 members on this issue bearing in mind the intention of China in this regard.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
   
8. The link between Japan's bilateral relations with the Republic of India and the issue of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)

   Q: Is there any possibility of either the Japanese Defense Minister or Foreign Minister returning the visit by Indian ministers in the last few months, or is it that no Japanese Cabinet ministers will be able to visit India until India signs the CTBT, which may be never?

   Mr. Harada: We do not link political dialogue to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) issue. As you said, we have conducted a series of political dialogues in the past few months. Minister for External Affairs Jaswant Singh of India visited Japan in November of last year. This January, Minister for Defence George Fernades of India visited Japan. These visits have promoted our bilateral relatioship. Futhermore, this week, Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto visited India and had a very good exchange of views with the leaders of the Government of India. Senior Policy Advisor Hashimoto's visit has contributed to strengthening political dialogue between the two countries. Concerning the ministerial visit from our side, this is not linked to the CTBT issue. I do not think it right to say that Japanese ministers will never visit India because of the CTBT issue.

   Q: Mr. Hashimoto had many talks in India, did he meet Prime Minister Vajpayee and President Narayanan?

   Mr. Harada: As far as I know he was unable to meet with the President and the Prime Minister. He met with Vice President Krishan Kant, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh, Defence Minister Fernandes, Minister for Finance Yashwant Sinha and President Sonia Gandhi of the Congress Party, and other leaders of economic organizations.

   Q: Mr. Hashimoto said that India should sign the CTBT and that the CTBT alone should not dominate India-Japan bilateral relations. Can you throw some light on what he means by not dominating the India-Japan bilateral issue?

   Mr. Harada: Senior Policy Advisor Hashimoto, while emphasizing the importance of India's signing the CTBT, said that we should not link the CTBT issue to the whole bilateral relationship. We have been witnessing exactly what he meant. During the past two Indian ministerial visits we agreed to promote political dialogue, dialogue on security and to increase personal exchanges. This perfectly demonstrates that we do not stop every bilateral relationship just because of the CTBT issue. I think what Senior Policy Advisor Hashimoto said is reflecting what is going on in our bilateral relationship.

   Related Information (Japan-India Relations)