Press Conference by the Press Secretary 15 December, 1998

1. Visit of Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi to Hanoi for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit Meeting
2. The Government of Japan's commendation of progress in the Middle East peace process
3. Assistance from the Japanese Government to support the Middle East peace process and development in the Palestinian territory
4. Possible consultations between the Governments of Japan and the United States regarding rice tariffs
5. Response to reports of Middle Eastern military officers being present at the North Korean missile launch

1. Visit of Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi to Hanoi for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit Meeting

   Deputy Press Secretary Masaki Okada: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. First of all, I would like to make two brief statements. The first one is concerning Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi's visit to Hanoi. Prime Minister Obuchi left this morning for Hanoi to attend the Japan-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit Meeting, as well as the ASEAN+3 Summit Meeting. He also will pay an Official Visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and will return on 18 December. The Leaders of the ASEAN countries, as well as President Kim Dae Jung of the Republic of Korea and Vice President Hu Jintao of the People's Republic of China, will attend the Meeting. We are now coordinating to have bilateral meetings with the Leaders from China and the Republic of Korea. It is also supposed that a meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen of the Kingdom of Cambodia will take place this afternoon.

   At these Summit Meetings, Prime Minister Obuchi will exchange opinions about the ways to cope with the Asian economic crisis, to secure the peace and stability in Asia and to strengthen the cooperative relationship between Japan and the ASEAN countries. In this context -- I will just briefly explain to you that Prime Minister Obuchi intends to highlight the importance of the following four areas in his meeting with the ASEAN Leaders. First, the promotion of dialogue and cooperation toward the 21st century with the ASEAN countries; second, the cooperation for overcoming the Asian economic crisis; third, cooperation for human security; and lastly, promotion of intellectual dialogue and cultural exchange with ASEAN countries. These are the four main areas that Prime Minister Obuchi is going to underline in his meetings with the ASEAN Leaders. Tomorrow morning, Prime Minister Obuchi is going to make a policy speech and he is going to explain, based on these kinds of concepts, his ideas for the future cooperation with the ASEAN countries.

   As for the Official Visit to Vietnam, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that 1998, this year, is the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Japan and Vietnam. Therefore, we expect that the Official Visit by Prime Minister Obuchi to Vietnam gives us the opportunity to announce our support for the economic policies of Vietnam and to strengthen our partnership with Vietnam.

   Related Information (Sixth ASEAN SUMMIT)
   
2. The Government of Japan's commendation of progress in the Middle East peace process

   Deputy Press Secretary Masaki Okada: My next statement relates to the Middle East peace process. As it is known to you, the State of Israel and the Palestinian Authority concluded the Wye River Agreement on 23 October. However, thereafter, Israel tried to attach conditions to the implementation of the Agreement, and terrorism and cases of violations happened here and there. That evidenced that the environment of the Middle East peace process is still very unstable. On the other hand, we have been able to witness some positive developments. For instance, the first stage of the redevelopment of the Israeli Army was implemented and the Gaza International Airport was opened. In these regard, we are pleased to know that the anti-Israel clauses were removed from the Palestinian Liberation Organization's (PLO) Charter by the Palestinian Central Council (PCC) on 10 December.

   Japan further welcomes that the revocation of these clauses was confirmed in Gaza City on 14 December in the presence of President William Jefferson Clinton of the United States of America. The Government of Japan pays tribute to the courageous deeds of those concerned and highly commends President Clinton's efforts to advance the peace process. Japan expects that both parties concerned will continue to implement the Wye River Agreement seriously, in accordance with the agreed text, and that the peace process will be further advanced. Japan will continue to offer its utmost support to the peace process.

   Related Information (Japan-Middle East Relations)
   
3. Assistance from the Japanese Government to support the Middle East peace process and development in the Palestinian territory

   Q: You just mentioned Japan's intention of continuing to support the peace process. Does Japan intend to give any financial support to the Palestinian Authority as well?

   Mr. Okada: Yes. In fact, I explained a few weeks ago our support for the Palestinians in detail. Japan has been implementing various kinds of assistance to support this peace process. In addition to the direct assistance to the Palestinians, we have been undertaking special contributions to the multilateral track of the peace process.

   Concerning direct assistance to the Palestinian people, Japan has decided to contribute up to US$ 200 million within two years. This was expressed at the conference to support Middle Eastern peace and development convened by President Clinton, held 13 November in Washington, DC. I understand that our pledge was highly appreciated by the United States and the Palestinian Authority, as well as by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan at the time. Regarding areas for further assistance, we have in mind the development of human resources for education and health, the strengthening of capabilities of the Palestinian Authority, and supporting the environment, cultural exchange and industrial development. Also, the construction of infrastructure to ensure the safe passage between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to aid the implementation of the Wye River Agreement is another priority area.

   Concerning the multilateral track, Japan chairs the Working Group on Environment within the framework of the multilateral track established in 1992. Recently, we hosted a seminar on combating desertification at the Arid Land Research Center of Tottori University from 24 November to 3 December. Japan intends to continue such activities as a chair country for the vitalization of the activities of the Working Group on Environment. This is what we are doing and what we are planning to do in the future.

   Related Information (Japan-Middle East Relations)
   
4. Possible consultations between the Governments of Japan and the United States regarding rice tariffs

   Q: Can I ask a question about rice? Yesterday, the US Ambassador to Japan, Mr. Foley said that the United States is concerned about the Japanese plan of enforcing the tariff on imported rice until next year. Also the United States is requesting consultations with the Japanese Government over this issue. The Foreign Ministry actually received this. What was the response?

   Mr. Okada: We have received the request from the United States to have consultations. We are used to having such consultations when important decisions take place. Rice is a very important topic. Therefore, we understand that the United States wants to have such an occasion to consult with Japan at an early time. We have already explained to the United States what we are presently doing, especially regarding what kinds of analyses and examinations are occurring concerning the present agricultural agreement. As for the nature of the consultation, we think that the decision concerning the tariff on rice can be taken without any prior legal consultation or agreement with any other contracting parties of the agricultural agreement. Therefore, we think this is just to facilitate the smooth and friendly relations between the United States and Japan, and to avoid any confusion and misunderstandings. Thus, we wished to explain what is going on in Japan at this time.

   Q: So the Foreign Minister has already explained?

   Mr. Okada: Through various channels.

5. Response to reports of Middle Eastern military officers being present at the North Korean missile launch

   Q: I would like to ask about the North Korean missile launching. There were some media reports that some Middle Eastern military officers attended the launch of the missile over Japan last August. Does the Japanese Government have any news about this?

   Mr. Okada: We know that there was such a media report, but we cannot confirm that report here, actually. It is not appropriate for us to make comments on the details of what we know and what we do not know about what happened in North Korea. But, we know that there was such a report.

   Q: What was the source of this report? Official reports?

   Mr. Okada: It was a media report.

   Related Information (North Korea's Missile Launch)