Summit Meeting Between Japan and Malaysia
(Outline)
22 October 2001
A summit meeting between Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia was held on the morning of 22 October in Shanghai. The following is an outline of the meeting:
Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir invited Prime Minster Koizumi to visit Malaysia at the earliest opportunity.
- Prime Minister Koizumi explained measures by Japan to combat terrorism.
- The two leaders agreed on the significance of the fact that Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) had both reached consensus on joint opposition to terrorism and affirmed the importance of ensuring economic growth in coping with terrorism.
- The two countries agreed to continue to work together in response to the situation in Myanmar.
1. Terrorism
(1) The following is an outline of the statement of Prime Minister Koizumi: The simultaneous terrorist attacks in the United States of America is not simply the concern of another people, and as such Japan is committed to be resolute in the fight against terrorism as a matter that concerns it too. This is a fight against terrorism and not a fight against Islam.
(2) The following is an outline of the response of Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir:
- As a Muslim, Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir is fully able to understand the sentiments of the Islamic world. It is important that the United States should also understand the feelings of the Islamic public in order to avoid exacerbating the situation.
- Osama bin Laden is in no way representative of Islam. Osama bin Laden argues that this is a war between the United States and the Islamic world, and Prime Minister Mahathir fears that the use of force against Afghanistan will give bin Laden even more power. Attacks on innocent people violate the teachings of Islam, and the Islamic world, even the religious world, rejects Osama bin Laden's claim that this is a war between itself and the United States.
2. The situation in Myanmar
(1) Prime Minister Koizumi said that he was aware that Prime Minister Mahathir himself had serious concerns with regard to the Myanmar issue. Prime Minister Koizumi stated that Japan had maintained cordial relations with Myanmar and was also concerned to see democracy come to Myanmar, hoping to continue working together with Malaysia in this regard.
(2) Prime Minister Mahathir responded that Malaysia was making efforts to resolve the situation in Myanmar through dialogue rather than sanctions.
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