Press Conference by Press Sec. 31 March 1995

1. Statement of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono on the Situation in the former Yugoslavia
2. Dispatch of election observers to the Election Monitoring Mission of the Organization of American States (OAS) for the general elections for the President and Congress in the Republic of Peru
3. Issues regarding the nerve gas incident on Tokyo subways
4. Possible resumption of normalization talks between Japan and North Korea and related issues
5. Reported overseas boycotts of companies doing business with the Union of Myanmar
6. Japan-Russian Federation relations
7. Visit of the Dalai Lama to Japan
8. Japan's positions on recent activities of Turkish military forces inside the Republic of Iraq and on the situation in Chechnya in the Russian Federation
9. Consideration of a yen loan to the Islamic Republic of Iran

1. Statement of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono on the Situation in the former Yugoslavia

   Acting Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. In the former Yugoslavia, an accord is being reached to continue the United Nations Peace-keeping Operations. However, the use of armed force by the parties involved in the conflict is becoming active, bringing deep anxiety to the international community. The Government of Japan is also deeply concerned about the situation. With respect to the situation in Croatia, Japan highly values the fact that a common understanding has been reached on the necessity of continuing the United Nations Peace- keeping Operations, through the efforts by President Franjo Tudjman and other members of the Croatian Government, as well as by the countries concerned, including the United States of America, and that a first step has been taken to stabilize the situation. Japan strongly hopes that the environment will be improved through the maintenance of the ceasefire agreement between the Croatian Government and the Serb forces in Croatia, and through the steady implementation of economic agreements, toward the achievement of an overall political agreement which is acceptable to all the parties concerned. Japan is prepared to study further cooperation, if the promotion of democratic dialogue is implemented.

   Japan strongly supports the efforts for achieving peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina made so far by the Contact Group countries. It earnestly hopes that each party concerned will exercise self-restraint in its military activities and make an earnest effort for peace. Japan also strongly appeals to all parties to cooperate with the United Nations from May in an effort directed at maintaining the ceasefire agreement made among the parties concerned.

   With regard to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, it is necessary to promote economic development of the region, upgrade the people's livelihood, bring about reconciliation among different ethnic groups and maintain friendly relations with the neighboring countries in order to retain the country's stability and prevent conflict. Japan will support the efforts being made by the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia for these purposes, and will continue studying the measures that it can take, as a part of preventive diplomacy, to strengthen the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's fragile economic infrastructure. Japan highly values the tremendous efforts being made by Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for the Former Yugoslavia Yasushi Akashi, and relevant persons of the United Nations, as well as the activities of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Sadako Ogata, and of other humanitarian assistance organizations, which are contributing greatly to the relief of conflict-afflicted persons. Taking this opportunity, Japan reiterates its statement that it is prepared to extend further cooperation.

2. Dispatch of election observers to the Election Monitoring Mission of the Organization of American States (OAS) for the general elections for the President and Congress in the Republic of Peru

   Acting Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: The Government of Japan has decided to dispatch Mr. Tetsuya Otsura of the First Latin America and Caribbean Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Assistant Professor of the College of International Studies of Chubu University Takashi Tanaka as election observers to the Election Monitoring Mission which will be dispatched by the Organization of American States (OAS) at the request of the Peruvian Government, in order to assist the democratic and smooth implementation of the general elections for the President and Congress of the Republic of Peru to be held on 9 April.

   These Japanese observers will arrive in Peru on 5 April and will stay there until 12 April. During their stay in the country, they will take part in the preliminary meetings of the OAS Mission, monitoring activities in the Lima metropolitan area on voting day, and the evaluation meetings afterwards. Japan has already supported the country by donating computers worth US$93,000 to the National Electoral Committee.

   Since President Alberto Fujimori of the Republic of Peru took an ad-hoc measure to suspend the Constitution on 5 April 1992, Japan has firmly maintained throughout its policy to assist Peru's efforts for the early restoration and consolidation of democracy. The forthcoming elections are a touchstone to test the country's democratization, as they are the first to be held under the new Constitution established on 29 December 1993. The democratic and smooth implementation of the forthcoming elections will have an epoch-making significance in demonstrating that democratization has taken root in Peru.

3. Issues regarding the nerve gas incident on Tokyo subways

   Q: As regards the recent case of Aum Shinrikyo -- is Japan going to cooperate with the Russian Federation in investigating this case? Taking into consideration that the operations of Aum Shinrikyo in Russia are on quite a large scale, maybe it would be useful for Japan to investigate there and to send their own officers to Moscow. Are there such plans now?

   A: It may be that that possibility is being considered by the police authorities, but to my knowledge, no decision has been made in that regard to date.

   Q: Is exchange of information going on now?

   A: I am not aware of any exchange of information taking place through diplomatic channels.

   Q: Can I follow up on this question on the nerve gas thing? I can understand that, as yet, despite everybody pointing a finger towards a particular organization, there has been no formal charge proffered. But, irrespective of this group, the findings of the Police Agency and other agencies of the Government -- don't you think it is time to share it with other countries who might be subject to similar attacks from within their own country by groups which have access to such material?

   A: It is Japan's general policy to share the information that we obtain from the investigation of this matter, but as you know, the investigation is still underway in Japan. Perhaps, it is a little premature for that.

   Q: Since the Chemical Warfare Convention (CWC) Secretariat has really not come into effect as yet, is there a central global body where you would pool this information and others could draw from it? Because it would be quite a cumbersome thing, or almost impossible, for you to, sort of, disseminate this to 184 countries, or to have talks with them, or whatever it is -- until the CWC comes into effect, is there any particular global body where you could pool this information?

   A: I cannot think of any alternative to this body.

   Q: Do you think that the Japanese reputation overseas for being a crime free nation has been damaged by the series of incidents that have taken place over the past few weeks?

   A: I think that is a very difficult thing for me to judge. These things are in the eyes of the beholder, I think, and it is impossible for me to make a comment on that point, officially.

   Q: Have there been any moves to tighten security at Japanese Embassies overseas after this sarin attack?

   A: I will have to check on that. I am not aware of any measures being taken, but I will have to check and get back to you on that.

   Q: May I ask you just two questions regarding the Aum Shinrikyo case? Do you consider possible the dispatch of police officers to Russia to help the Russian officials to investigate similar cases regarding the Aum Shinrikyo operations in Moscow? The second question: are the Japanese police authorities going to investigate the foreign activities, the foreign operations, of Aum Shinrikyo?

   A: On those points, I do not have an answer. I will have to refer you to the National Police Agency for that. We are not involved in the investigation of that.

4. Possible resumption of normalization talks between Japan and North Korea and related issues

   Q: About the normalization between Tokyo and Pyongyang -- what is the standpoint of the Japanese Government on ongoing negotiations between the three parties and Pyongyang?

   A: As you know, the Government of Japan has been calling upon the North Koreans to resume the talks for the normalization of ties, and we welcome the fact that the three-party delegation which visited North Korea has paved the way for the resumption of talks for the normalization of ties between Japan and North Korea. Our approach towards the official talks is as follows. We would like to normalize the abnormal state of affairs that has existed since the end of the second world war -- as you know, we do not have diplomatic relations with North Korea -- and also, we would like to contribute to the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. Those will be the two major considerations. Another important factor is that we will keep in close touch with the Republic of Korea and other governments concerned.

   Q: Is there a likelihood, as speculated in the press probably, that there will be a coalescing of these two aspects: one is the Japan-North Korea relationship and its contents so far as compensation is concerned; and the other is Japan's contribution towards the replacement of the reactors, whether by way of equipment or whatever it is? Has this been discussed in the Foreign Ministry or within the Government, that compensation and Japan's contribution towards the agreed framework -- that there will be no distinction between the two?

   A: To my knowledge, those are two completely separate issues. The first issue, I think will be dealt with in the normalization talks. With regard to the provision of the light-water reactor, that will be dealt with in the context of the talks between the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) and North Korea.

   Q: Again, on the issue of Japan and North Korea -- the talks on normalization may start again in April? Is it possible that important steps can be taken before KEDO and the light-water reactors get provided to North Korea?

   A: With regard to the timing, this is something that we have to discuss with the North Korean side. Our position on that is that we would like to start talks as soon as possible, as soon as preparations are complete. So, that does not exclude the possibility of April, but I cannot say that it will be in April or May; I cannot give you any specific time frame. With regard to the contents of the talks, we will have to wait and see; we will have to wait for the resumption of the talks. I cannot make any predictions regarding what will take place in the talks at this moment.

   Q: Could you specify what the nuclear issue raised in the talks in Pyongyang is?

   A: As you know, this visit was an initiative of three Japanese political parties, so I would like to refrain from making any comments on what transpired in Pyongyang.

5. Reported overseas boycotts of companies doing business with the Union of Myanmar

   Q: The Myanmar issue -- in Berkeley, California in the United States, they made a regulation that they will make a ban on purchasing goods from companies which are dealing with the Myanmar Government. Also, similar legislation is expected in Seattle, New York City, and other cities. Do you know this fact? Do you have comments about this movement -- boycott of goods dealing with the Myanmar Government?

   A: I am not aware of such legislation, and since we do not have the details of the legislation, we are not in a position to comment on it.

6. Japan-Russian Federation relations

   Q: Let me change the theme just a bit and turn to Japan- Russian Federation relations. There were reports that a Russian fighter penetrated into the air space of Japan somewhere in the region of Hokkaido. But, there were reports also that Japan officially stated a protest to Russia on the matter, but the Russian officials rejected the fact. Can you confirm that Japan stated the protest, and whether there are any consultations on the matter between the two sides?

   A: I can confirm both points. There was a penetration, a violation, of Japanese air space by a Russian MIG-31, I believe, and we lodged a protest with the Russian side here in Tokyo through our Russia Division.

   Q: That's all?

   A: I do not have anything with me with regard to the response from the Russian side. Maybe you can ask the Russian Embassy here in Tokyo.

   Q: There were no consultations on the matter so that such cases don't occur again in the future?

   A: The Russian Division lodged a protest with the Russian Embassy here in Tokyo, and we told the Russian Embassy that we regretted the violation of Japanese air space, and we strongly requested that steps be taken to avoid recurrence of such a situation. In response to this, the Russian Embassy told us that this message will be conveyed to Moscow.

7. Visit of the Dalai Lama to Japan

   Q: About the Dalai Lama's visit -- the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman yesterday took fairly strong objection to the Japanese Government having issued a visa. Can you please tell us if there has been any official complaint lodged by the Chinese Government, and also what your response to the Chinese criticism of the whole event is?

   A: Of course, we are aware of the press report. The application by the Dalai Lama for a visa to enter Japan was made through proper channels. The application was examined and the visa issued in accordance with the laws and regulations of Japan, and we have explained this to the Chinese side. As to what was discussed between Japan and the People's Republic of China, for diplomatic reasons, I would like to refrain from making any comments.

8. Japan's positions on recent activities of Turkish military forces inside the Republic of Iraq and on the situation in Chechnya in the Russian Federation

   Q: Has the Government of Japan made any statement on Turkey's military incursion into Iraq?

   A: No, we have not.

   Q: Why not, considering that all your G-7 partners have done so?

   A: Our position on this is the following. We were informed shortly after the initiation of operations by the Government of the Republic of Turkey -- that was on 20 March -- and according to the Turkish side, the operation was designed to destroy bases of the PKK located in the northern part of the Republic of Iraq, that the Republic of Turkey respected the territorial integrity of Iraq, and that the Turkish military forces will withdraw as soon as their objectives are obtained, and that due consideration will be given to the safety of the inhabitants and to the protection of human rights. We consider that this issue involving the PKK is a very complex issue involving historical, political and social factors, and this issue is, in many respects, a domestic issue of Turkey. Therefore, we have been very careful in considering our response to this. Should a situation arise which requires our attention from the humanitarian viewpoint, or from the viewpoint of Iraq's territorial integrity, it is possible that we will consider some reaction, some action, on this matter.

   Q: Would you agree that there is an inconsistency between your reaction on the Russians cleaning up in Chechnya, which is strictly an internal matter -- much more than this particular one? In this case, there has been sustained incursion -- not the first one, it's probably the fifth or sixth hot pursuit and operation over the last four years. Wouldn't you say that your concern about Chechnya was rather premature, or this one was rather belated?

   A: Of course, with regard to Chechnya, our position is that this is basically a domestic matter of the Russian Federation. But, we made our concern known to the Russian Government because of the prolonged fighting and the loss of many lives in Chechnya. So, I do not see any inconsistency between our position on Chechnya and on Turkey.

9. Consideration of a yen loan to the Islamic Republic of Iran

   Q: Can you please comment on a statement which Secretary of State Warren Christopher of the United States recently made to a U.S. Government panel, in which he said that the U.S. Government had asked the Government of Japan not to provide these yen loans to Iran to build their dam, which is slightly different from the impression that the Foreign Ministry here has been giving us, that there has been no pressure from the U.S. side on this issue? What Secretary Christopher said yesterday at a Government panel appears to be slightly different from that, saying that they did, in fact, ask the Japanese Government to refrain from providing these loans.

   A: Let me restate our position on the yen loan for the Islamic Republic of Iran first. We are still considering this matter in the light of Japan's Iran policy and the ODA Charter. In so doing, we will be looking at Iran's behavior, and the situation concerning Iran. With respect to major issues of common concern to the United States and Japan, including Iran, there is a constant dialogue between the United States and Japan, but I will have to refrain from going into the details of the discussions.

   Q: About Iran again -- so there is still a possibility that Japan will decide to offer the loan to Iran, after considering the matter?

   A: We are considering the matter --

   Q: It is possible?

   A: -- very carefully in the light of Japan's Iran policy and the

   ODA Charter. That remains our position.