(* This is a provisional translation by a translation service company for reference purpose only. The original text is in Japanese.)
Press Conference by Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura
Date: Tuesday, October 4, 2005, 8:50 a.m.
Place: Inside the House
Main topics:
1. Cabinet Meeting
Minister:
The Special Counter-terrorism Bill was approved in the Cabinet Meeting, and I advocated the need and importance of the bill.
2. Serial Bombing Attacks in Bali
Question:
A series of terrorist incidents occurred in Bali, Indonesia last weekend. How does the Government of Japan respond to this? What support will the Government of Japan provide for the Government of Indonesia?
Minister:
Since a similar incident occurred in Bali, Indonesia a few years ago, the Government of Indonesia has already made a big effort against terrorism. There are a number of Muslim people in the nation. It is very difficult to take an effective measure against terrorism. Since the Indonesian President Yudhoyono has also made a big effort against terrorism, the Government of Japan is able to provide technical support for counter-terrorism in terms of customs clearance and anti-piracy measures while pirates are not always terrorists. Therefore, the Government of Japan will make continued efforts to support as much as possible.
Related Information (Press Release)
3. Assistance to Iraq
Question:
Other than the support for the counter-terrorism, the assistance to Iraq will also be focused on again. How will the Government of Japan extend assistance to Iraq for the future?
Minister:
Since the political process has been progressed steadily, it is important that the international community supports the establishment of a democratic nation toward the referendum for the draft constitution, elections for the National Assembly in December 2005 and the establishment of a new government in January or February 2006. On the other hand, the security situation doesn't allow premature conclusions. Therefore, since the international community has cooperated with the establishment of a democratic nation and security measures, the Government of Japan maintains the basic stance to continue to cooperate with them.
Question:
The term of the dispatch of the Self Defense Forces will expire in December 2005. What do you think of it?
Minister:
We would like to determine a specific policy on it when the time comes.
Related Information (The Issue of Iraq)
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