Meeting Between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell
(Summary)

On 17 September, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi met with Secretary of State Colin Powell of the United States of America in Washington D.C. for about twenty minutes. The following is the outline of the meeting.

1. North Korea

Foreign Minister Kawaguchi explained the content of the Japan-North Korea Summit Meeting, including the abduction issue, the nuclear issue and missile issue. In addition she explained the content of the press conference given by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in Pyongyang, stating that in the process of normalization talks with North Korea, security issues such as suspicions concerning nuclear weapons would continue to be dealt with and that expectations were that dialogue would proceed. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi also explained that economic cooperation would be considered after the normalization of relations. In addition, she stated that the Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) partnership would continue to be important. In response, Secretary of State Powell while nodding and listening carefully, expressed that he supported and welcomed Prime Minister Koizumi's visit to North Korea. In addition, Secretary of State Powell stated with regard to the abduction issue that he was, "so sorry," and "please pass my condolences on to the families." Secretary of State Powell made no other comments on this issue.

2. Iraq

(1) Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stated that, noting that she had already mentioned this point to National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice, the developments in Iraq were the first step but that it must now be considered how inspections can be actually carried out in that country. In addition, she stated that as President George W. Bush had stated in his United Nations speech, the future resolutions of the United Nations must be followed.

(2) In response, Secretary of State Powell stated that also in New York there was ongoing discussion concerning the Security Council resolution on Iraq, and that a letter had been received from the Minister for Foreign Affairs Naji Sabri of Iraq. However, he stated that it was necessary to further strengthen the efforts being made on Iraq.

(3) Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stated that she had spoken with the Iraqi foreign minister, however, he had failed to be persuaded in their talks. After that, Japan and US ultimately agreed on the need to increase pressure on Iraq and continue to work on the country.

3. Middle East Peace Process

(In relation to the four party consultations in New York in which Secretary of State Powell had attended on the morning of 17 September), Foreign Minister Kawaguchi asked whether anything had been prepared concerning an announcement of a road map that charted the future course for the peace process in the Middle East. In response Secretary of State Powell stated that although there was not yet any official announcement, work was continuing to this end. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stated that Japan would like to cooperate with the US and endeavor to implement nation building in the Palestinian territories. In response Secretary of State Powell stated that in the statement that had been announced in New York, there was a welcome expressed for efforts by the task force to undertake reforms in the Palestinian territories.

4. Japan-US Security

Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stated that in Okinawa it was important to reduce the burden on the people of the prefecture and to make efforts to prevent incidents and accidents. Although Japan and the US have their own standpoint regarding the time limit issue, she stated that Japan would like to continue to cooperate towards steady implementation of the report of the Special Action Committee on Okinawa (SACO), including the relocation and return of the Futenma Air Station. In response Secretary of State Powell stated that just as Foreign Minister Kawaguchi had mentioned, he would also like to cooperate towards the steady implementation of the SACO Final Report, including the relocation and return of Futenma Air Station.