Press Conference 16 July 2004

1. Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi on the establishment of a new government in Cambodia
2. Emergency grant aid to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the Afghan Elections Project in Afghanistan
3. Questions concerning Mr. Charles Jenkins
4. Question concerning Japan-US discussions regarding Mr. Jenkins
5. Question concerning suite room of Ms. Hitomi Soga's family in Jakarta, Indonesia
6. Follow-up questions concerning Mr. Charles Jenkins

1. Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi on the establishment of a new government in Cambodia

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

   First, in the wake of the establishment of a new government in the Kingdom of Cambodia on 16 July, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi today issued the following statement which I will read.

   Japan welcomes the establishment of a new government in Cambodia on 16 July, reflecting the result of the general election held in July last year.

   Japan hopes that the Government of Cambodia and the parliament will steadily implement measures for economic and social development. Japan will actively support Cambodia's nation-building efforts.

   Japan is also paying attention to the efforts of the new government and the parliament on pressing issues, including early ratification of a draft agreement between the United Nations (UN) Secretariat and the Government of Cambodia concerning the Khmer Rouge trials.

   Related Information (Statement by Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Establishment of a New Government in Cambodia)
   
2. Emergency grant aid to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the Afghan Elections Project in Afghanistan

   Mr. Takashima: The second announcement is regarding the assistance to Afghanistan.

   The Government of Japan today decided to extend grant aid of US$8.8 million to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support the Afghan Elections Project.

   This grant assistance will be provided in response to the recent decision taken by the Joint Electoral Management Board consisted of the Transitional Administration of Afghanistan and the UN (UNAMA and the UNDP) to hold the presidential elections on 9 October of this year and parliamentary elections either in April or May of next year.

   Japan has been providing assistance for the political process, improvement of security and reconstruction in general, to achieve the "consolidation of peace" in Afghanistan. It has decided to provide further assistance to this Elections Project, taking into account the importance of elections, which will mark the culmination of the political process in this war-torn country.

   Related Information (Emergency Grant Aid to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the Afghan Elections Project in Afghanistan)
   
3. Questions concerning Mr. Charles Jenkins

   Q: The Japanese media has been reporting that Mr. Charles Jenkins is coming to Japan for a medical checkup with his family. Has the date been set?

   Mr. Takashima: No date has been set yet, and no decision has been made yet. We are seriously considering the possible visit of Mr. Jenkins to Japan so that he can receive the necessary medical care in this country as his health condition is not as good as it was anticipated prior to his arrival to Jakarta, the Republic of Indonesia.

   Q: The relatives of Mr. Jenkins in North Carolina say that they do not wish to see court pardon because he has not actually defected. They are insisting that he is a prisoner of war in North Korea. What are your thoughts on that?

   Mr. Takashima: We understand that the relatives of Sergeant Jenkins have filed some sort of petition to the US Department of Justice, but further than that, we have no comments. This is a kind of process that must be dealt by the US judiciary system, and we have no comments.

   Q: Is it actually possible for Mr. Jenkins to come to Japan without any agreement being made between the United States of America and Japan on whether or not the United States takes him under custody?

   Mr. Takashima: The fact is that the medical condition of Mr. Jenkins is not as good as we thought. Doctors who are now checking Mr. Jenkins recommended that he be transferred to Japan for medical treatment.

   This is a humanitarian issue. As soon as the arrangements have been made and once a kind of agreement or understanding between the countries concerned is reached or obtained, we will decide to bring him to Japan for a medical checkup and if necessary, treatment. Once again, this is a humanitarian issue. Since this is somewhat a matter of emergency, we believe we have to do the necessary things in order to save his life.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations Abduction Cases of Japanese Nationals)
   
4. Question concerning Japan-US discussions regarding Mr. Jenkins

   Q: US Ambassador to Japan Howard Baker said that the American Government cannot pardon Mr. Jenkins for abandoning his troops and defecting to North Korea. What is the Japanese Government's stance? Have there been any problems with your American counterparts?

   Mr. Takashima: The Government of Japan has been discussing the issue regarding Mr. Jenkins with the American Government through various channels and on various levels. I am not in a position to disclose the nature or the content of the discussions. What I understand is that since Japan and the United States both respect the rule of law and also due process, we fully understand the American Government's position. Since Mr. Jenkins is charged with serious criminal charges, we fully understand that the American Government is considering to take the necessary measures. Beyond that, we have no comments because the American Government has been, in my understanding, seriously considering the situation and studying it. I would add that there has been no agreement reached between the US and Japanese Governments yet.

   Q: Agreement on what?

   Mr. Takashima: On the treatment of Mr. Jenkins.

5. Question concerning suite room of Ms. Hitomi Soga's family in Jakarta, Indonesia

   Q: There are news reports saying that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has received complaints regarding the suite room of Ms. Hitomi Soga's family in Indonesia, regarding its price. Can you confirm that?

   Mr. Takashima: We recognize that there are various views about the way things have been dealt with. What is necessary is that a quiet, comfortable and peaceful environment be given to Ms. Soga, Mr. Jenkins and their daughters in order to let them have a thorough discussion on their future and also a family reunion. In order to do so, we have obtained a special arrangement from the hotel which we very much appreciate. This is a kind of business deal, and we do not wish to disclose the details of it. What was most important, as far as we are concerned, is to provide a quiet and peaceful environment to them.

6. Follow-up questions concerning Mr. Charles Jenkins

   Q: Has it been decided that Mr. Jenkins will arrive in Japan this Sunday, 18 July?

   Mr. Takashima: We are proceeding with the necessary prearrangements or necessary measures in anticipation of a possible decision being made by the Government.

   Q: The Government of Japan?

   Mr. Takashima: The Government of Japan.

   Q: Can you give us an idea on when that might be, when that decision might be made?

   Mr. Takashima: Because of the urgency involved with regard to the necessity of medical treatment, I do not think it will take too long.

   Q: Will that plan include him being moved to a hospital in Tokyo?

   Mr. Takashima: This is something to be arranged not by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but my understanding is that if the decision is made, he will be taken to a medical hospital upon arrival.

   Q: Can you give us any sort of detail regarding the condition of Mr. Jenkins? He allegedly has infections. Can you elaborate a little bit more on that?

   Mr. Takashima: This is a matter of privacy of Mr. Jenkins so we cannot discuss this further except to say that his general health condition is not as good as we thought. Doctors recommended him to get the necessary medical checkup and also medical treatment in Japan.