Press Conference 21 May 2002

1. Statement on the independence of the Democratic Republic of East Timor
2. Assignment of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force Engineer Group and other personnel to the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET)
3. Visit to Japan by President Johannes Rau of the Federal Republic of Germany
4. Presidential and parliamentary elections in the Republic of Sierra Leone
5. Questions in relation to the incident at the Japanese Consulate General in Shenyang, People's Republic of China

1. Statement on the independence of the Democratic Republic of East Timor

   Assistant Press Secretary Daisuke Matsunaga: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have a few announcements to make today.

   First, I would like to draw your attention to the statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi that was issued yesterday on the independence of the Democratic Republic of East Timor.

   In the statement, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi congratulated the new country on its independence and paid respect to the efforts by its people, first of all, and the international organizations and donor countries, which resulted in this very important event. In addition, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi expressed her wish that, under the leadership of the new president, the people of East Timor will work together and continue their nation-building efforts toward self-sustainability.

   As of yesterday, Japan recognized the newly independent Democratic Republic of East Timor. Also, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Seiken Sugiura, who represented Japan at the independence ceremony, and Foreign Minister Ramos Horta of East Timor exchanged notes to establish diplomatic relations between Japan and East Timor.

   Related Information (Japan-Timor-Leste Relations)
   
2. Assignment of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force Engineer Group and other personnel to the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET)

   Mr. Matsunaga: Second, a related matter, at the cabinet meeting last Friday, the assignment of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force Engineer Group and other personnel to a successor United Nations mission in East Timor was decided.

   As you know, Self-Defense Forces personnel have already been dispatched to peacekeeping activities in East Timor; they will now be assigned to the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET). Basically, they will do the same thing: namely, logistical support, including the maintenance and repair of roads and bridges.

   The contingent is made up of 680 members and 10 headquarters personnel. This is the largest contingent that Japan has ever contributed to peacekeeping operations by the United Nations, and it also ranks as the largest dispatch among the G8 countries. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the Japanese Self-Defense Forces personnel in East Timor will continue to operate there under the new peacekeeping operation name: UNMISET.

   Related Information (Japan-Timor-Leste Relations)
   
3. Visit to Japan by President Johannes Rau of the Federal Republic of Germany

   Mr. Matsunaga: Next, I would like to draw your attention to the statement made by the Foreign Ministry Press Secretary about the official working visit to Japan by President Johannes Rau of the Federal Republic of Germany.

   President Rau and Mrs. Rau will pay an official working visit to Japan from 30 June to 4 July.

   During their stay in Japan, President Rau and Mrs. Rau will make a state call on Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and Their Majesties will host a court luncheon in honor of the President and Mrs. Rau.

   President Rau will also hold a meeting with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, and the Prime Minister will hold a luncheon in honor of the President.

   The Government of Japan welcomes the visit of President Rau and Mrs. Rau, which will further strengthen the friendly relations existing between Japan and the Federal Republic of Germany.

   Related Information (Japan-Germany Relations)
   
4. Presidential and parliamentary elections in the Republic of Sierra Leone

   Mr. Matsunaga: Finally, on 14 May the Republic of Sierra Leone held its presidential and parliamentary elections, and the results were officially announced on 19 May by the National Electoral Commission.

   The Government of Japan welcomes the fact that the elections were conducted in a free, fair, peaceful, and orderly manner and highly values the significance of the elections in having assured voting opportunities also for the visually challenged and those who have lost limbs during the civil war.

   Furthermore, Japan congratulates Mr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah on his reelection as president and pays respect to his long-running efforts to build peace in Sierra Leone.

   The Government of Japan and the United Nations decided to extend assistance of over US$3 million to the project for the Reintegration of Ex-combatants through Capacity Building and Self-employment, and this money will be expended from the Trust Fund for Human Security, which is placed under the aegis of the United Nations.

   Related Information (Japan-Sierra Leone Relations)
   
5. Questions in relation to the incident at the Japanese Consulate General in Shenyang, People's Republic of China

   Q: In regard to the incident at the Japanese Consulate General in Shenyang, have you heard any response or indication from North Korea?

   Mr. Matsunaga: No.

   Q: Nothing?

   Mr. Matsunaga: Nothing.

   Q: Personally, I am very concerned about the future of this two-year old girl. What do you think?

   Mr. Matsunaga: I think it is quite natural for every television viewer: the two-year old girl certainly touched the heartstrings of television viewers. I read a news story reporting that all of the five people were healthy and doing well, but I share your feeling: I am also concerned about the welfare of the girl.

   Q: This is a rather complicated incident. There are many stories, many official and unofficial or hidden stories. But I would like to say that in terms of public opinion, this Vice Consul picked up the cap of the Chinese policemen and did not pay any attention to the crying two-year old girl.

   Mr. Matsunaga: I would like to give you a copy of the English translation and the Japanese original of our inquiry results.

   As for the Vice Consul, who came out of the building and approached the gate, it was clear both from our inquiry and from the Chinese inquiry that he was not aware who they were and what their objective was.

   We watched the video after we came to know that they were asylum seekers. But the Vice Consul himself did not know what the trouble was all about; he heard the screaming of the women from inside the building, and then he came out, and at that time he was not aware. It was when he was still unaware of the objective of those people that he picked up the cap of the Chinese policeman.

   Perhaps you recognized that he stooped down and was talking to the people, but because the two women kept screaming, he could not figure out what they were trying to convey. It is not that he was aware of their identities and their purpose and deliberately picked up the cap.

   Q: Anyway, it is a very unfortunate incident. I feel very concerned.

   Mr. Matsunaga: Certainly. We are working very hard to resolve the issue and to ensure the safety of the five people and make sure they will not be returned to where persecution is feared.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)