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(translation)

VISIT TO JAPAN BY PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO OF THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA

  • President of the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba, Dr. Fidel Castro, stayed in Japan from 1st to 4th of March 2002, as part of his tour around Asia, consisting of participation in the 13th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and official visits to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the People's Republic of China.

1.Contents of the Visit

(1) Japan-Cuba Summit (2nd of March)

  • Bilateral Relations, North Korea and Iraq were the issues raised and discussed during the Summit. President Castro and Prime Minister of Japan, Junichiro Koizumi were accompanied by the Japanese Foreign Minister, Yoriko Kawaguchi, her Cuban counterpart, Felipe Pérez Roque, president of the Parliamentary League for Friendship Japan-Cuba, Hiroshi Mitsuzuka, three Cuban ministers and government officials from both sides.
  • On Bilateral Relations, Prime Minister Koizumi stated that both countries have maintained traditionally friendly relations, though there exist some areas in which they take different positions. The Japanese Premier expressed his gratitude for the special consideration given by the Cuban President at the time of the hostage crisis at the Japanese ambassador's residence in Peru in 1996-97. He also expressed his thankfulness for the early announcement by the Cuban Government to participate in the EXPO 2005 AICHI.
  • In terms of North Korea, Prime Minister Koizumi offered explanations regarding the abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korea, nuclear weapons development programme by North Korea, and Japan-North Korea normalization talks. President Castro showed himself to be highly interested in the North Korean issue, posed detailed questions and expressed his understanding of Japan's position and willingness to be of assistance on the matter in any possible way.
  • Regarding Iraq, Prime Minister Koizumi explained the Japan's position and efforts on the issue. President Castro, in his turn, elaborated on the position agreed during the Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement.

(2) Other Meetings

  • Mr. Ryutaro Hashimoto, Former Prime Minister (2nd of March)
  • Mr. Tamisuke Watanuki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, accompanied with three Diet members (including Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr.Yoshitaka Shindo) (2nd of March)
  • Parliamentary League for Friendship Japan-Cuba (Mr. Hiroshi Mitsuzuka, Mr, Keiji Furuya and 4 more Diet members) (2nd of March)
  • Economic Conference Japan-Cuba (1st of March)

(3) Stay in Hiroshima

  • President Castro made a trip to Hiroshima for a flour tribute in the Peace Memorial Park and a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. He also attended to the luncheon offered by the Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture, Mr. Yuzan Fujita, and the Mayor of Hiroshima City, Mr. Tadatoshi Akiba.
  • The visit to Hiroshima seemed to have made a deep impression on President Castro, who stated that humanity should never repeat the suffering experienced by Hiroshima.

2. Estimation of the visit

(1) Strengthening the Bilateral Relations at the Summit

  • Prime Minister Koizumi and President Castro engaged in a broad exchange of opinions and views upon bilateral relations. Both leaders also developed detailed and comprehensive discussions on the issues of North Korea and Iraq. The summit meeting, scheduled to be for 40 minutes, turned out to last for 75 minutes, and contributed to the strengthening of the bilateral ties at the leaders' level.

(2) Cooperative attitudes of Cuba on the North Korean Issues

  • President Castro showed great interest in the North Korean Issue, posed detailed questions and showed his understanding and cooperative attitude. In addition, President Castro introduced his analysis on the Situation of North Korea and views on Cuba-North Korean relations.
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