Internet Press Chat Conference, 25 October 2007

Visit to Japan by Special Advisor to the U.N. Secretary-General Mr. Ibrahim Gambari
Japan-Russian Federation subcommittee meeting
Announcement regarding official logo for the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV)
Questions concerning the visit to Japan by Special Advisor to the U.N. Secretary-General Mr. Ibrahim Gambari

I. Visit to Japan by Special Advisor to the U.N. Secretary-General Mr. Ibrahim Gambari

Deputy Press Secretary Tomohiko Taniguchi: Let me start today's Regular Internet Chat Press Conference. Today, I would like to make several announcements before I take questions.

First, later this evening, Thursday, 25 October, Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, Special Advisor to the U.N. Secretary-General, is arriving in Japan after having visited the Kingdom of Thailand, Malaysia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Republic of India and the People's Republic of China. Tomorrow, Friday, 26 October, he will meet, among others, Mr. Masahiko Koumura, Minister for Foreign Affairs, to discuss the situation in the Union of Myanmar. Mr. Gambari will stay in Japan until Saturday, 27 October.

Related Information (Press Release)

II. Japan-Russian Federation subcommittee meeting

Mr. Taniguchi: Second, Japan and the Russian Federation will hold the very first subcommittee meeting for exchanges between regions of Japan and Russia established under the Japan-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Affairs. This subcommittee meeting is to be held for two days from tomorrow, Friday, 26 October to Saturday, 27 October in Vladivostok, Russia. In order to attend this meeting, Mr. Hitoshi Kimura, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, is leaving Japan today, Thursday, 25 October.

III. Announcement regarding official logo for the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV)

Mr. Taniguchi: Third and last, the official logo for the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV) was announced yesterday. This new logo can be viewed by accessing the MOFA web site at http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/press/release/h19/10/1175860_814.html

Related Information (TICAD)

IV. Questions concerning the visit to Japan by Special Advisor to the U.N. Secretary-General Mr. Ibrahim Gambari

Q: Can you tell us what time Mr. Koumura and Mr. Gambari will meet and what Japan would like Mr. Gambari to do in his role as Special Advisor?

Mr. Taniguchi: Thanks very much for your question. I can only say at the moment that both gentlemen are going to meet one another tomorrow, Friday, 26 October. But what time...I can't tell. We have been very much appreciative of the effort Mr. Gambari has exhausted so far. We would like him to continue to try to persuade the officials in Myanmar of how important it will remain for them to have reconciliation between the Government and the governed, and among the people. Their ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) peers have made great strides in economic prosperity and steadily to democracy. We very much hope Myanmar will join the march.

Q: Does the Foreign Minister plan to speak to the press after the meeting?

Mr. Taniguchi: As of yesterday I saw no plan. But do keep in touch with us. We will be updating you.

Q: Who else will Mr. Gambari meet when he is in Japan?

Mr. Taniguchi: I am afraid I can't say much at this moment. I can only say it's not only the Foreign Minister but also high ranking officials with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Mr. Gambari is going to meet with.

As it seems that you have no more questions, I would like to end today's Regular Internet Chat Press Conference. This concludes today's chat conference.

Related Information (Press Release)

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