Press Conference by Press Sec. 3 March 1995

1. Visit to Japan by President Leonid Danilovich Kuchma of Ukraine
2. Visit to Japan by President of the United Nations General Assembly and Foreign Minister of the Republic of te d'Ivoire Amara Essy
3. Continued negotiations on the Korean Energy Development Organization (KEDO)
4. Talks between Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikolai Kozyrev of the Russian Federation and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono
5. Shipment of radioactive waste to Japan
6. Visit to Japan of a senior official of the United States Department of State
7. Japan's policy toward the Islamic Republic of Iran

1. Visit to Japan by President Leonid Danilovich Kuchma of Ukraine

   Acting Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. We are pleased to announce that President Leonid Danilovich Kuchma of Ukraine, and Mrs. Kuchma, accompanied by a suite, will pay an official working visit to Japan from 22 to 25 March 1995. The Government of Japan sincerely welcomes the visit of President Kuchma and Mrs. Kuchma, which will further strengthen the friendly relations existing between Japan and Ukraine.

2. Visit to Japan by President of the United Nations General Assembly and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire Amara Essy

   Acting Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: President of the United Nations General Assembly and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire Amara Essy, and Mrs. Essy, accompanied by a suite, will visit Japan from 15 to 18 March as Guests of the Foreign Minister. During his stay in Japan, President Essy will have talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono and other government officials concerned to exchange views on the United Nations and Japan-Cote d'Ivoire relations. After the visit to Japan, President Essy will visit the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Malaysia and the Republic of Singapore.

3. Continued negotiations on the Korean Energy Development Organization (KEDO)

   Q: This is about the announcement from New York about the Korean Energy Development Organization (KEDO). I understand that the Americans are dealing with the North Koreans on this, but you are also a party to that announcement that, among other things, insists that the replacement reactors that the North Koreans will get are of the South Korean model. I think a couple of days back, the director-general of the North Korean atomic energy agency gave some technical objections -- other than rhetoric -- as to why the South Korean model is not suitable: a) he said that the life span is 30 to 40 years, as against the industry standard of 60 years worldwide; and b) that these reactors will only be completed in 1999, so their security and safety, etc., is yet to be assessed. Would you have any comments about those opinions of the North Koreans? On the face of it, they seem to be fairly valid. You really can't go in for a model which has not yet started off.

   A: I think our views on this question have been clearly stated. The Government of the United States of America is of the view that, since the Republic of Korea will be playing a central role in the light-water reactor project, the only option will be to choose the South Korean model. We fully support the position of the United States on this issue, and we also hope that North Korea will give a positive response to this.

   Q: What you have said is the known position of the United States, the Republic of Korea, as well as Japan. But you haven't addressed the substantive objections of the North Koreans on getting the South Korean model, I mean the technical aspect of it. It is all right to say that the Republic of Korea is paying for it, therefore, you have to take this thing. But they have given certain reasons why; one is the reactor is not even in operation -- it is going to be completed in 1999. Do you agree with these technical objections? Are they valid? Have you verified them?

   A: I do not have enough technical knowledge to respond to your question, and all I can say is that there has been no change in the position of the United States or the position of Japan on this issue.

   Q: Why not?

   A: Because we believe that there is no realistic alternative to the South Korea type of reactor for this project. Other alternatives are just not viable. That is our position.

   Q: Has any other source of funding other than South Korea and Japan been sought for this, from other agencies, or...?

   A: The Republic of Korea will be playing a central role in this project, and Japan will be making a significant contribution to the project, as is the United States, and we are seeking the participation of other major countries in the project, since we believe that it is desirable to have as many countries on board as possible.

4. Talks between Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikolai Kozyrev of the Russian Federation and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono

   Q: Mr. Vladislav Listyev of Ostankino was shot to death. Did Foreign Minister Kozyrev talk about his death to the Government of Japan?

   A: Last night, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono met Minister for Foreign Affairs Nikolai Kozyrev of the Russian Federation at the time of his arrival at his hotel. This was last night. They chatted for about 10 minutes, and Foreign Minister Kono expressed his thanks on behalf of the Government of Japan, the appreciation for the Russian support at the time of the Great Hanshin/Awaji Earthquake, and they briefly chatted about the People's Republic of China. That was all that was discussed in last night's meeting. As you know, the two foreign ministers will be meeting tonight and also tomorrow.

   Q: I was wondering about Foreign Minister Kozyrev's agenda. Has there been anything set out on what exactly he is here for?

   A: As I said, the meetings will take place tonight and tomorrow. I know you have been waiting very patiently with regard to the substance of this meeting, and I would appreciate it very much if you would wait 24 hours more, because Foreign Minister Kozyrev will be giving a press conference tomorrow afternoon.

   Q: So we can say the agenda is closed?

   A: I can say in very general terms that bilateral issues, including the Northern Territories issue, will be discussed, as well as international issues in which both Governments share an interest.

   Q: Does that include North Korea?

   A: Most important international issues will be discussed.

   Q: Is that a yes or a no?

   A: That would become guesswork, and I wouldn't want to go into that.

5. Shipment of radioactive waste to Japan

   Q: Some weeks ago, when the Government of Japan announced, from that podium, the plutonium stock, it was emphasized that this was the first time that they were releasing them in units of kilograms, to ensure maximum transparency. Furthermore, I think somewhere around that period, you had also -- about two years back, it was the Japanese proposal for a register of weapons at the United Nations which was open for keeping track of arms exports and imports from various countries. Irrespective of whether that has been observed, the idea was to ensure transparency. I personally find it difficult to understand the Government of Japan's silence about the route of the Pacific Pintail, because that also is a matter of transparency, because the consignment does belong to you, irrespective of where the accident might happen, God forbid it does. How do you respond to the accusation that you are not being transparent enough? It is being leveled in your own media.

   A: Transparency is a very important concern for us, and we have stated this repeatedly. But, at the same time, the safety of the shipment is also a very important and legitimate question which we must address. As a result of careful consideration of the Governments and utility companies of Japan, the French Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, we decided to announce, as you know, the name of the ship and date of departure, but to withhold the route of the shipment.

6. Visit to Japan of a senior official of the United States Department of State

   Q: American Undersecretary of State for East Asia Winston Lord is in Tokyo this week. Can you tell us what the subject of his meetings is?

   A: I will have to check on that. I don't have any information for you with me.

7. Japan's policy toward the Islamic Republic of Iran

   Q: Forgive me -- I came in late -- if you have covered this already. Germany announced this week that it was going to lift its restrictions on sending aid to Iran, or on doing export financing for Iran and its dam project, which Japanese companies have been involved in and the OECF is helping to fund. This has been a subject at the political level between the United States and Japan, with, I believe, the United States asking Japan not to move forward on this project. Does Japan plan at this point to continue funding this project, or not?

   A: I think you are referring to phase two of this project.

   We are considering the matter very carefully in the light of Japan's policy toward the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also in the light of Japan's ODA Charter.

   Q: What is Japan's Iran policy?

   A: In a word, we share the concerns of the international community with regard to allegations about Iran's involvement in terrorism, and we share the concerns about Iran's objection to the Middle East peace process, among other things. But at the same time, we believe that, in order to encourage reforms in Iran, it is not right to isolate Iran. In a nutshell, that is our Iran policy.

   Q: The Iranian request for the second level of funding on this project is now over a year old. Is it fair to categorize this as a delay on Japan's part because of these concerns?

   A: We are considering this request very carefully in the light of Japan's Iran policy and our ODA Charter. That is all I can say at this moment.

   Q: Have you at any stage pointed out to the Americans that, despite their objections to Japan, Germany, etc. doing business with Iran, they are now the number one trading nation with Iran?

   A: We have had extensive discussions on important issues with the United States, including Iran, but I am not in a position to disclose the contents of these discussions.