Press Conference 8 June 2004

1. Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations on Israel's approval of the evacuation plan from Gaza Strip and other areas
2. Questions concerning upcoming G8 Summit Meeting in Sea Island, Georgia
3. Question concerning Japan-Middle East relations
4. Question concerning Middle East development fund

1. Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations on Israel's approval of the evacuation plan from Gaza Strip and other areas

   Press Secretary Hatsuhisa Takashima: Good afternoon and thank you for coming to the briefing. Today, I would like to make one announcement before I take questions.

   This announcement regards the statement issued by the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the State of Israel's approval of the evacuation plan from Gaza Strip and other areas. It states as follows:

   As for the cabinet approval of the Israeli Government on 6 June on the withdrawal plan which intended to realize the evacuation of all settlements in Gaza Strip and parts of them in West Bank, the Government of Japan expects that this significant decision can be an opportunity to revitalize the Roadmap.

   Japan sees it essential that the plan be implemented in a manner consistent with the Roadmap. In order to secure this, Japan hopes that the dialogue between the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority will reopen as soon as possible, so that constructive cooperation will substantially take place toward the evacuation of the settlements and that both parties will take steps to fulfill their other obligations under the Roadmap.

   Related Information (Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Israel's approval on the evacuation plan from Gaza Strip and other areas)
   
2. Questions concerning upcoming G8 Summit Meeting in Sea Island, Georgia

   Q: At the upcoming G8 Summit Meeting, for Japan, what will be the most important issues that will be covered?

   Mr. Takashima: We would like to see the G8 Summit Meeting reestablish close ties among the G8 countries, especially for the Iraq situation and for the Middle East and also to achieve stable and sustainable growth of the global economy. Of course, the fight against terrorism is of major importance, but so far, the Iraq situation is the very imminent issue to be tackled with. We recognize that the United Nations Security Council is about to finalize the draft resolution to be adopted by the Security Council. We hope that this will be the case and that the return of sovereignty from the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) to the Iraqi people will be done as scheduled on 30 June.

   Q: What would Japan like to express to the other leaders regarding the North Korean issue?

   Mr. Takashima: Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi intends to report the results of his recent visit to Pyongyang and to seek the solidarity of the G8 Summit Meeting member countries to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue in a peaceful and diplomatic manner. At the same time, he will also seek international cooperation to resolve the bilateral issues between Japan and North Korea, especially the abduction issues. Q: Will Prime Minister Koizumi try to raise to President George W. Bush of the United States of America the issue of Mr. Charles Jenkins, Mrs. Hitomi Soga's husband?

   Mr. Takashima: Actually, Prime Minister Koizumi indicated that he will raise this issue during the course of the meeting with President Bush to be held tomorrow, Japan time. In what manner and in what way, he said, remains to be decided.

   Q: The United States and the French Republic are obviously not in agreement on the Iraq issue. Since Prime Minister Koizumi is on good terms with both leaders, is it likely that Prime MinisterKoizumi will become a bridge to bury the gap between the leaders of the two countries?

   Mr. Takashima: Prime Minister Koizumi said that being a bridge between President Bush and President Jacques Chirac of France might be too much for himself, but he will certainly try to have the two leaders come to a mutual understanding on the issue of the Iraq situation as well as some other issues, especially on the fight against terrorism and so forth.

   Indeed, we understand that the United States has been making utmost effort to make their views and their policies more acceptable to France and other countries. This kind of talks would bear fruit, and we hope that the G8 Summit Meeting in Sea Island, Georgia will revitalize and re-solidify the relations between the United States, European countries including the Russian Federation as well as Japan.

   Related Information (Sea Island Summit)
   
3. Question concerning Japan-Middle East relations

   Q: Is it possible for Japan to make any reasonable proposal of the so-called Greater Middle East Initiative (GMEI) during the Summit Meeting?

   Mr. Takashima: Actually, Japan is very active in promoting the development as well as progress in various terms in the Middle Eastern countries. Resolving the question of Israeli-Palestinian issues is of utmost importance for our Middle East policy.

   We have especially been helping Palestinians make themselves viable counterparts of this peace initiative. This is one of the reasons why we issued this Press Secretary's statement yesterday in terms of the possible evacuation of the Israeli settlements from Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank.

   At the Sea Island Summit Meeting, Prime Minister Koizumi will certainly introduce these kinds of efforts done by the Japanese Government, and he will express his strong commitment to support the development plan including the possible new development fund for the Middle East to be setup through the G8 Summit Meeting.

   Related Information (Japan's Measures Toward the Middle East Peace Process)
   
4. Question concerning Middle East development fund

   Q: Regarding the fund, is there any idea of how much Japan will provide?

   Mr. Takashima: The amount of contribution we would make is still under consideration. Prime Minister Koizumi will decide when he meets with his counterparts in Sea Island, Georgia. We are still talking with various countries, the World Bank and so forth to find out exactly how much would be needed and also what sort of contribution Japan should give along with other countries.