Foreign Minister Kawaguchi Telephone Talks with British Foreign Secretary Straw

September 14, 2004

Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi held telephone talks with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw on September 14. The following is a summary of the talks.

1. North Korea

(1) Foreign Secretary Straw explained that during the visit of Mr. bill Rammell, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to North Korea, Mr. Rammell had raised both human rights and nuclear issues, emphasizing the importance of the Six-Party Talks. Foreign Secretary Straw further explained that Mr. Rammell had a clear response concerning the recent explosion through direct contacts with the U.K. side for the North Korean side that they would allow a visit by a diplomatic corp to the site.

(2) Foreign Minister Kawaguchi thanked raising the issue of the Japanese abductees with the North Korean side during Mr. Rammell's visit. She noted that it was important for the next round of Six-Party Talks to be held in September.
In response, Foreign Secretary Straw stated that U.K. continued to attach importance to the abduction issue.

2. Iran

Both Foreign Ministers confirmed that Japan and the U.K. would continue to maintain close contact regarding discussions at the Board of Governors' Meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). They concurred on the necessity for Iran to implement in good faith all the resolutions of the IAEA, and also agreed that the international community must deal with this issue in unity.

3. Iraq

Foreign Secretary Straw noted positive developments in the political process in Iraq, at through security concerns still remain. He highly appreciated Japan's assistance to Iraq and stated that the U.K. would continue to cooperate closely with Japan.
Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stated the importance of the election of national assembly in Iraq. She also explained the Third Donor Committee Meeting and Expanded Meeting of the IRFFI on October 13 and 14 to be hosted by Japanese Government in Tokyo ("Tokyo Meeting"), and asked U.K. Participation. Foreign Secretary Straw responded that the U.K. would participate in the meeting.

4. United Nations Reform

Foreign Minister Kawaguchi explained Japan's position that expansion of both permanent and non-permanent seats in the United Nations Security Council is essential for the strengthening of the United Nations. Foreign Secretary Straw responded that the U.K. always supported Japan's permanent membership of the Security Council, and that fellowship he expected wide-ranging discussion to take place concerning UN reform the report of the High-level Panel.

5. Sudan

Foreign Secretary Straw highly appreciated Japan's assistance to Sudan, noting the importance of assistance to the African Union (AU) mission to Sudan as well as humanitarian assistance to be provided by the international community. In response, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi explained the recent visit to Japan by Dr. Mustafa Osman Ismail, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sudan. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi explained that Japan was planning to dispatch Mr. Keitaro Sato, Ambassador in Charge of Conflict and Refugee-related Issues in Africa, to the region in order to examine what further role Japan could play regarding the situation in Sudan.

6. ASEM

Foreign Secretary Straw explained the decision by the General Affairs and External Relations Council of the European Union on ASEM enlargement. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi welcomed this development and, stated her expectations for constructive dialogue and cooperation between Asia and Europe.