Press Conference 14 February 2006
- Visit to Japan by Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki of the Islamic Republic of Iran
- Visit to Japan by Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier of the Federal Republic of Germany
- The 17th Women's Exchange Program Japan-Jordan, Egypt and the Palestinian Territories
- The 13th Asian Export Control Seminar
- Debt relief measure for the Federal Republic of Nigeria
- Emergency grant aid for five African countries through United Nations (UN) agencies and other organizations
- Follow-up question concerning Foreign Minister Mottaki's visit
- Questions concerning New York Times editorial
- Question concerning invitation extended to Hamas representatives by the Russian Federation
- Visit to Japan by Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Deputy Press Secretary Tomohiko Taniguchi: Thank you very much for coming. Just quickly a couple of announcements.
The first is about the visit of His Excellency Mr. Manuchehr Mottaki, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, to Japan.
Foreign Minister Mottaki will visit Japan from 27 February to 1 March this year, upon the invitation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan.
During his stay in Japan, Foreign Minister Mottaki will meet with Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso and other dignitaries to discuss issues of mutual interest, such as bilateral relations and recent regional and international developments.
- Visit to Japan by Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier of the Federal Republic of Germany
Mr. Taniguchi: The next is also about another Foreign Minister, Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier of the Federal Republic of Germany. He is going to visit Japan between 20 and 22 February as guest of the Foreign Ministry. He will also meet Foreign Minister Aso and others.
- The 17th Women's Exchange Program Japan-Jordan, Egypt and the Palestinian Territories
Mr. Taniguchi: The next two items are about an exchange program and a seminar.
The first one is about an exchange program between Japan and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Palestinian Territories.
Three leading representatives from the region, namely, Jordan, Egypt and the Palestinian Territories, are visiting Japan from 11 to 18 February. The President of the General Federation of Jordanian Women, the Consultant to the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood in Egypt, and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) advisor at the Palestinian Ministry of Women's Affairs are visiting Japan.
- The 13th Asian Export Control Seminar
Mr. Taniguchi: The next one is about the 13th Asian Export Control Seminar, and that is going to be held from 21 to 23 February in Tokyo. This seminar is going to be co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Expected participants include officers in charge of export control from 15 Asian countries and regions, the United States of America (U.S.), United Kingdom (U.K.), and Germany.
- Debt relief measure for the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Mr. Taniguchi: The Government of Japan has decided to relieve approximately US$4.1 billion worth of debt of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
- Emergency grant aid for five African countries through United Nations (UN) agencies and other organizations
Mr. Taniguchi: Today, on 14 February, the Government of Japan has decided to extend emergency grant aid. A total amount of approximately US$33.0 million will be extended through United Nations (UN) agencies and other organizations to support the consolidation of peace in five African countries, namely, the Republic of the Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Burundi, the Republic of Liberia, and the Republic of Sierra Leone.
- Follow-up question concerning Foreign Minister Mottaki's visit
Q: Can you be more specific about the visit of the Iranian Foreign Minister? This visit is surely connected to the recent problems with the development of nuclear facilities in Iran. Is he going to meet with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi? Is this nuclear problem going to be on the agenda as the main item?
Mr. Taniguchi: I do not know if his schedule permits him to meet Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. It is not scheduled as such. The fact of the matter is that this visit has long been talked about by both nations, Japan and Iran, and indeed an invitation was extended by former Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura to Foreign Minister Mottaki. So this has been long overdue in that sense, and certainly both foreign ministers, Foreign Minister Mottaki and Foreign Minister Aso, will touch on a host of issues of mutual concern, and that will include without question the nuclear-related activities on the side of Iran. But this will be as much as I can say at the moment.
He will come at the end of this month, on 27 February, and there is going to be ample time for Foreign Minister Mottaki to meet not only Foreign Minister Aso but also other government leaders. I am not really sure what sort of issues will come up in those meetings.
By the way, Foreign Minister Mottaki was here as an Ambassador of Iran in Tokyo between 1995 and 1999. So he is one of the most knowledgeable diplomats from Iran about Japan.
- Questions concerning New York Times editorial
Q: Regarding the editorial in the New York Times, Foreign Minister Aso said in his press conference that he has not read the article so he cannot really comment on it. I was wondering if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has read it and is planning to lodge a protest.
Mr. Taniguchi: Well, me, personally, I have read it and I have my own views and I have my own thoughts about it. I have found a couple of false assumptions and assertions in the article, but as the Foreign Ministry of Japan, I do not think it is appropriate to make any comment on an editorial published by a newspaper. But of course when it comes to those false assumptions and assertions, we will be thinking about whether or not we should make attempts to approach the editor of the New York Times so that some of the incorrect assumptions and assertions expressed in the article can be properly corrected.
Q: Sir, what kind of assumptions and assertions?
Mr. Taniguchi: The Japanese Government is of the view that much transparency is needed in the Chinese military buildup. We have been repeatedly saying that the Chinese military budget, if you look at their official figures, has been increasing by double digits for 17 consecutive years. No one can actually be sure about exactly how much their military budget is, for what purposes the military budget has been spent, and so on. So we have been urging our neighbor, the Chinese, to disclose more. The beauty of international management that the international community invented after the war can be summed up by the following maxim: the more you disclose, the better you are going to be served. I think that maxim holds when it comes to the Chinese military buildup. So in that sense the New York Times editorial seems to have rather lightheartedly dismissed one of the most important concerns in this region, not only for Japan but also for the entire region. That is one of the points that I can come up with, but I should stop here. As I said, we are thinking of what we should do about the article, but at this moment I do not think I can say more.
- Question concerning invitation extended to Hamas representatives by the Russian Federation
Q: Does the Japanese Foreign Minister have any comments about the recently made Russian invitation to Hamas representatives to come to Moscow to discuss the situation in the Middle East?
Mr. Taniguchi: He has made no specific comments about Hamas or about the invitation that the Government of the Russian Federation is reported to have extended to Hamas.
Apart from that our position about Hamas has been clear, that is to say, Hamas should cherish democracy and give up violent means to seek their goal. We are watching whether or not they will come out as a true representative of the democratic process which has actually given them power.
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