Press Conference by the Press Secretary 10 March 2000

1. Announcement on the visit to Japan of President Árpád Göncz of the Republic of Hungary and Mrs. Göncz
2. Resumption of peace negotiations between the State of Israel and the Palestinian Authority
3. Invitation to political groups of the Islamic State of Afghanistan to visit Japan
4. Announcement on the speech of President Kim Dae Jung of the Republic of Korea
5. Establishment of a liaison office of the Japanese Government in East Timor
6. Issues relating to the invitation to political groups of Afghanistan to visit Japan
7. Issues relating to the resumption of the Middle East Peace Process
8. Question regarding the possible issuance of an entry visa to the Dalai Lama

1. Announcement on the visit to Japan of President Árpád Göncz of the Republic of Hungary and Mrs. Göncz

   Deputy Press Secretary Chikahito Harada: Good afternoon. I have several announcements to make.

   First, on the visit to Japan of President Árpád Göncz of the Republic of Hungary and Mrs. Göncz, President Göncz and Mrs. Göncz, accompanied by a suite, will pay a visit to Japan from 8-14 April and will stay in Japan as State Guests from 10-13 April.

   During their stay in Japan, President Göncz and Mrs. Göncz will make a State Call on Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan.

   Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress will host a State Dinner in honor of President Göncz and Mrs. Göncz.

   Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi and Mrs. Obuchi will host a dinner in honor of President Göncz and Mrs. Göncz.

   The Government of Japan sincerely welcomes the visit of President Göncz and Mrs. Göncz, which will further strengthen the friendly relations existing between Japan and Hungary.

   Related Information (Japan-Hungary Relations)
   
2. Resumption of peace negotiations between the State of Israel and the Palestinian Authority

   Mr. Harada: My second announcement is on the resumption of peace negotiations between the State of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

   The Government of Japan welcomes the fact that Prime Minister Ehud Barak of the State of Israel and President Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Authority agreed to resume the peace negotiations in the middle of this month and, at the same time, highly appreciates the efforts of mediation by the United States of America which made possible this agreement.

   The Government of Japan, in support of the Sharm-el-Sheik Memorandum in September last year, strongly hopes that both parties will concentrate on the peace negotiations with a view to reaching agreement on the final status of the Palestinian Authority by 13 September this year as stipulated in the said Memorandum.

   The Government of Japan has made political approaches to parties concerned on various occasions in order to promote the Middle East Peace Process and actively supported the Peace Process through such means as economic assistance, including that for the Palestinians. The Government of Japan intends to continue its active support for the Peace Process in order to realize a fair, lasting and comprehensive peace in all the tracks of Palestine, the Syrian Arab Republic and the Republic of Lebanon as soon as possible.

   Related Information (Japan-Israel Relations)
   
3. Invitation to political groups of the Islamic State of Afghanistan to visit Japan

   Mr. Harada: My third announcement is on the invitation to political groups of the Islamic State of Afghanistan.

   The Government of Japan has decided to invite influential political groups of the Islamic State of Afghanistan from 9-19 March to Japan, with a view to promoting the realization of continuing peace in Afghanistan.

   Japan has supported and supplemented United Nations (UN) activities for the restoration of peace and humanitarian purposes from a neutral point of view in Afghanistan. Through this invitation, Japan intends to discuss with the Taliban and anti-Taliban factions respectively wide-ranging themes, including the preservation of cultural heritages and matters of concern, such as human rights and terrorism, with the focus on the issue of peace in Afghanistan, as well as to convey Japan's points of view and concern. In addition, Japan will hear from and exchange views with the secretary of the former king of Afghanistan about the peace initiative of Afghanistan taken by the former king.

   Taking account of the particularly high interest among Japanese people in the preservation of the cultural heritages of Afghanistan, a forum of discussions will be arranged for this issue with the participation of some intellectuals. The preservation of cultural heritages of Afghanistan is an urgent task, as these treasures have been destroyed and ruined by a series of wars over many years.

   The purpose of this invitation is only to exchange views with each political group of Afghanistan and by no means implies recognition of any political power in the country. With a view to the present situation in Afghanistan, the Taliban and anti-Taliban factions are not expected to meet face-to-face; instead Japan will exchange opinions with each side separately.

   Related Information (Japan-Afghanistan Relations)
   
4. Announcement on the speech of President Kim Dae Jung of the Republic of Korea

   Mr. Harada: My fourth announcement is on the speech of President Kim Dae Jung of the Republic of Korea.

   President Kim made a speech on the policy toward North Korea in the Federal Republic of Germany on 9 March. We recognize that this is a very important speech in which President Kim demonstrated comprehensively and completely policies toward North Korea to be conducted based upon the so-called "Engagement Policy."

   We highly appreciate this speech and also totally support the four-point declaration contained in this speech which will contribute to advancing the relationship between the Republic of Korea and North Korea and easing the tension on the Korean Peninsula. We hope that North Korea will respond positively to this speech.

   Related Information (Japan-Republic of Korea Relations)
   
5. Establishment of a liaison office of the Japanese Government in East Timor

   Mr. Harada: My final announcement is on the establishment of a liaison office of the Japanese Government in East Timor.

   Today, on 10 March, the Japanese Government opens a liaison office in Dili, East Timor, for communication and coordination with persons and parties concerned, including the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET).

   The Japanese Government intends to extend as much assistance as possible for the independence and nation-building of East Timor and, in this context, expects that the establishment of the liaison office will contribute to the implementation of Japan's assistance and thereby the promotion of rehabilitation and development in East Timor.

   The Japanese Government, which has already pledged about US$100 million for rehabilitation and development in East Timor, will soon dispatch a government mission with a view to researching full-scale implementation of the assistance.

   Related Information (Timor-Leste Situation)
   
6. Issues relating to the invitation to political groups of Afghanistan to visit Japan

   Q: Regarding Afghanistan, do you have any figures on how much in terms of grant loans the Japanese Government has donated so far through the United Nations?

   Mr. Harada: I do not have those figures with me at the moment.

   Q: Do you think the discussions will touch upon the issue of Mr. Osama Bin Ladin, who is residing in Afghanistan and wanted by the United States?

   Mr. Harada: I do not know the exact agenda and cannot prejudge it, but it is possible.

   Q: Who do you think they will be meeting with?

   Mr. Harada: The Director-General of the Middle East and African Bureau is going to host lunch, where I think they will exchange views. In addition, the Deputy Director-General of the Middle East and African Bureau is to hold meetings with each of the groups. They will also be meeting with some Diet members.

   Q: Will they all be together during lunch?

   Mr. Harada: I do not think so. Lunch will be organized separately on different dates.

   Related Information (Japan-Afghanistan Relations)
   
7. Issues relating to the resumption of the Middle East Peace Process

   Q: Concerning the issue of Japan welcoming the resumption of the Middle East Peace Process negotiations, I heard some reports that Mr. Arafat will declare the Palestinian State sometime this year, probably before the September deadline. What is the Japanese position toward this announcement?

   Mr. Harada: I do not know the announcement which you referred to, so at this stage I am not in a position to make a comment on that.

   Q: Do you have any information on the visit of Deputy Director-General Nishigahiro to Washington to attend committee meetings?

   Mr. Harada: There was a meeting of the Gavel Holders of the Working Group of the Multilateral Track of the Middle East Peace Process on 6 March in Washington. Deputy Director-General Wataru Nishigahiro of the Middle East and African Bureau attended that meeting.

   I can share with you some elements of the results of the meeting. Firstly, the meeting confirmed that the multilateral track should proceed despite the current situation of the bilateral track and also agreed to maintain the momentum of the Steering Group held in Moscow in February.

   Secondly, during the meeting the United States explained the current situation of the bilateral tracks of the Middle East Peace Process. The representative of the United States also very much welcomed the Israeli Cabinet decision on 5 March to withdraw Israeli military from South Lebanon in July and gave a prospect that this decision would produce a positive effect on the resumption of the Syrian Track.

   Thirdly, the dates of the meetings of the working groups were confirmed as follows: the working group on water resources, for which the United States holds gavel, is to be held from 11-13 April in the Sultanate of Oman. The working group on refugees, for which Canada holds gavel, is to be held from 16-18 May in Ottawa. The working group on the environment, the gavel of which is held by Japan, is to be held from 13 May to 1 June in the Republic of Tunisia. And the working group on economic development, the gavel of which is held by the European Union (EU), is to be held from 19-26 June in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The United States and the Russian Federation hold the gavel of the working group on arms control and will continue to consult in order to determine the dates for this working group.

   Fourthly, the meeting emphasized that, as further direction, working groups should focus on the promotion of concrete projects and the use of private sectors and international organizations.

   Finally the meeting agreed that the Steering Group to be held in July this year should consider ways to improve the effectiveness of each working group. These are the elements that I can share with you.

   Related Information (Japan-Middle East Relations)
   
8. Question regarding the possible issuance of an entry visa to the Dalai Lama

   Q: Did Japan grant the Dalai Lama a visa to come to the country?

   Mr. Harada: This is still under examination, so I do not think that we have come to a decision yet.