[Brief]
The Meeting Between Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama and Vice President Albert Gore of the United States of America
by Deputy Press Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ken Shimanouchi
19 November 1995
Official of the International Press Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to tonight's briefing by Deputy Press Secretary Ken Shimanouchi of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Deputy Press Secretary Ken Shimanouchi of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I would like to give you a read-out of the meeting between Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama and Vice President Albert Gore of the United States of America. The meeting lasted for about 50 minutes, from 19:00 to around 19:50. Sitting in from the U.S. side were Ambassadors Kantor and Mondale. And from the Japanese side, Minister Hashimoto and Minister Kono sat in. They discussed four subjects: the postponement of President Clinton's visit, U.S.-Japan security treaty arrangements, Okinawa and other issues. Now let me start with the postponement of President Clinton's visit. Vice President Gore said that President Clinton was personally disappointed that he could not come. The U.S. side would like to agree on a date for the visit as soon as possible. In continuation, the Vice President explained at length the domestic situation in the United States. Mr.Murayama said that he had held high expectations for President Clinton's visit as state guest and that the postponement was regrettable. He said that the Japanese people had high hopes for the visit from the viewpoint of Japan-U.S. relations. He said that the cancellation was all the more disappointing since we had planned to discuss the security arrangements and talk about cooperation in this area. Mr.Murayama said that three days earlier he had received a phone call from the President and that he understood the situation that the President was in. He welcomed the Vice President who came to Japan in President Clinton's place. He said that it's very important for President Clinton to visit Japan as state guest, and sought the cooperation of Vice President Gore. Vice President Gore thanked the Prime Minister for his words and said let's issue the Joint Declaration when the President comes to Japan, for the good of Japan and the United States, and for the good of the whole world. On the Security Arrangements, he said that the Security Arrangements between the two countries have been playing a big role in the security stability of both countries and of the Asia-Pacific region. He referred to his visit to Washington in January, and said that at that time he told the President that Japan would be steadfastly maintaining the Security Arrangements. He said that it is true that the end of the Cold War has brought about changes; however, there still persist elements of instability, such as the situation on the Korean Peninsula. He said that the U.S.-Japan Security Arrangements continue to contribute to the peace and stability of this region. President Gore in response reaffirmed the significance of the Security Arrangements and he said the key elements of the alliance was the presence of 100,000 troops in East Asia and 75,000 in Japan. He said that Japan could count on the United States. The Prime Minister then turned to the issue of Okinawa. He said, referring to his views on the U.S.-Japan Security Arrangements that this was a perception shared by the great majority of the Japanese people. He said that the special measures agreement regarding host nation support passed by the Japanese Diet was proof of that. He said, on the other hand, that in order to ensure the smooth operation of the U.S.-Japan Security Arrangements, the understanding of the local community was necessary. He said that in October there was a rally in which 85,000 people participated. He said that the presence of bases is a burden on Okinawa. He said that as a result of the unfortunate incident in September, that the sentiments of the people of Okinawa came out. He further said that he stated in the Diet that all Japanese should share the sentiments of the people of Okinawa. He said that on 4 November he had a lengthy discussion with Governor Ota of Okinawa, and expressed his apologies. In order to respond to the sentiments of the people of Okinawa, we need to continue discussions, and he said that his position was to make improvements where necessary for the realignment, consolidation, and down scaling of bases in Okinawa. He said that he would like to continue to hold discussions in the special action committee which was agreed to in this meeting. In response, Vice President Gore mentioned the apology made by President Clinton regarding the unfortunate September incident on NHK TV. He said that he himself expressed his regrets for the incident. He referred to the cooperation between the two countries on this matter. He mentioned the improvement of the criminal jurisdiction procedures as an example of this, and he also mentioned the approach that the U.S. forces were taking to tighten discipline. Prime Minister Murayama said he would like to cooperate with the U.S. so as to achieve good results. He said he intended to work responsibly for the smooth operation of the Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements. That was the discussion on Okinawa. Then they turned to other issues: cooperation between the two countries. The Prime Minister said the two countries were cooperating in a broad range of areas, including global issues. He said that he would like to further this cooperation, and that this was important to gain the understanding of the people of Okinawa. He also said he would like to promote the exchange of students. Vice President Gore said that there are many success stories under the Common Agenda, but that they were not well known. And he discussed at length some of the projects under the Common Agenda. If you're interested in the Common Agenda, we have pamphlets by the door. I hope you take a look at these pamphlets. Now going back to the readout: the Prime Minister said that the Common Agenda was discussed in his visit to the United States, that this was a low key but nevertheless important project. Then, at the end of the meeting, the two leaders discussed terrorism and Bosnia and the KEDO. By the way, economic is sues, trade issues and other economic issues were not discussed in this meeting. That's about it. I'd be very happy to answer your questions.
Q:Did the Prime Minister tell Vice President Gore anything about the leases in Okinawa and what action he would take, whether he would sign them or not?
Deputy Press Secretary Ken Shimanouchi of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: He did not mention the word "leases" or the signing of the document. But I am under the impression that when he said "I intend to work responsibly for the smooth operation of the security arrangements," he may have had this in mind.
Q: What kind of response did the Vice President make to that statement of Minister Murayama?
Deputy Press Secretary Ken Shimanouchi of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: I do not believe he made a specific response to that.
Q: I would like to ask you for information on today's lunch between the ASEAN members plus three. Are there any information of that?
Deputy Press Secretary Ken Shimanouchi of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Are you interested in the guest list?
Q: No, I am interested in the topic EC.
Deputy Press Secretary Ken Shimanouchi of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Well, which lunch are you referring to? The lunch hosted by Foreign Minister Kono?
Q: I think so, yes. There should be today a lunch that was announced yesterday between the members of ASEAN, and South Korea, China and Japan. And it was announced that they will discuss the summit in March 1996 between ASEAN and the EC.
Deputy Press Secretary Ken Shimanouchi of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: I think you're referring to the gathering hosted by the Government of Thailand. It is my understanding they discussed solely preparations for the Asia-Europe summit. The EAEC was not discussed at all.
Q: Information about December 3 meetings chaired by Thai Deputy Prime Minister attended by Mr.Hashimoto. You said that it's preferred before Singapore Ministerial Meeting. What points were discussed in that meeting? For instance, I understand they discussed about the agenda. If you they could [inaudible] will you be interested in [inaudible] that kind of things? This is my first question. My second question is could you tell us what the is the purpose and what happened and what is the guest list of the informal luncheon hosted by Mr.Kono. Separately, from the one of [inaudible]. Thank you.
Deputy Press Secretary Ken Shimanouchi of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Well, with regard to the first question, I am not aware of the contents of the discussion hosted by the Government of Thailand beyond what I've told you. Since the principle participant from the Japanese side was Minister Hashimoto, you'll have to go to the MITI for details of the discussion. And with regard to the guest list for the luncheon hosted by Minister Kono, I recall you asked me the same question in my early afternoon briefing, but I have to apologize to you, I forgot to bring the list again. But, for your information, a large number of Ministers attended, including the Foreign Ministers of Chile and Mexico. This was a completely informal function. It was not a working luncheon. That is my understanding. Do you have any other questions? Thank you very much.
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