Press Conference by the Press Secretary 16 June, 1998

1. Communique of the Group of Eight Foreign Ministers on the nuclear tests conducted by the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
2. Visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Keizo Obuchi of Japan to the Federative Republic of Brazil from 20 to 21 June and to New York for talks with Secretary General Kofi Annan of the United Nations
3. Position of the Government of Japan regarding the situation in Kosovo
4. Relations between the Republic of Korea and North Korea
5. Elections in Australia

1. Communique of the Group of Eight Foreign Ministers on the nuclear tests conducted by the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

   I have a number of announcements to make before I take your questions. Let me start with the Group of Eight (G8) Foreign Ministers' Meeting that took place in London on 12 June. The G8 Foreign Ministers met in London to discuss responses to the threats posed by the nuclear tests by the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to peace and stability in South Asia and to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. The G8 Foreign Ministers were later joined by the Foreign Ministers of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Argentine Republic, Ukraine and the Republic of South Africa, as well as the ambassadors in London of the Republic of the Philippines and the People's Republic of China at a working lunch in which this issue was further discussed. We believe that the outcome of the discussions in London was very positive. Since the communique issued by the G8 Foreign Ministers after the meeting speaks for itself, I will not attempt to give you a full readout of the meeting. I think you have the text of the communique in front of you. Let me just make a few comments on the meeting, focusing on some of the aspects that the Government of Japan attaches particular importance to. One of the things that Minister for Foreign Affairs Keizo Obuchi proposed to his G8 colleagues was the establishment of a Task Force which would look at specific ways to address the issue of nuclear tests by India and Pakistan. We believe that the decision by the G8 Foreign Ministers to set up this Task Force in which some non-G8 governments will be participating, is very meaningful since it would help to maintain the momentum in the international community to continue efforts on this issue. Foreign Minister Obuchi also explained to his G8 colleagues our plans to host an Emergency Action Forum on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, another Japanese initiative that we have mentioned in previous press conferences. We believe that the Emergency Action Forum will be an important forum for looking at responses to this issue from a medium to long-term perspective. The G8 communique also refers specifically to the efforts that need to be made by the nuclear weapons states towards nuclear disarmament, that is the communique mentions explicitly the steps that need to be taken as soon as possible; the entry into force of the Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (START) II, the initiation of START III talks as well as the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) by the United States of America, the Russian Federation and other countries that have to sign this convention. This is another positive outcome of the meeting in London. In the same context, Japan plans to propose at the next United Nations General Assembly, a resolution which will map out a realistic path towards nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. With respect to India and Pakistan, the communique makes abundantly clear what the G8 would like to see in terms of actions by the two countries. The communique refers to the negative impact of the tests on the economic development of the two countries among other things, and underscores that it is in the interests of both countries to respond positively to the messages sent to the two countries by the international community. The communique also encourages the two countries to seek a peaceful resolution of their differences through dialogue. Foreign Minister Obuchi announced in London that Japan was prepared to offer Tokyo as the venue for dialogue between India and Pakistan if they so wish. That is my first announcement.

2. Visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Keizo Obuchi of Japan to the Federative Republic of Brazil from 20 to 21 June and to New York for talks with Secretary General Kofi Annan of the United Nations

   My second announcement concerns the visit to Brazil by Foreign Minister Obuchi. Foreign Minister Obuchi will be visiting Brazil on 20 to 21 June to attend the ceremonies to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Japanese immigration to Brazil, and he will also take this opportunity to hold talks with the leaders of the Government of Brazil. On his way to Brazil, he will be stopping over in New York and he will take this opportunity to have talks with Secretary General Kofi Annan of the United Nations. In his talk with Secretary General Annan and Brazilian leaders, Foreign Minister Obuchi will be discussing among other things, issues relating to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

3. Position of the Government of Japan regarding the situation in Kosovo

   My third announcement pertains to Kosovo. As you may recall, back-to-back with the G8 Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Indian and Pakistani nuclear tests, the Foreign Ministers of the Contact Group held a meeting to discuss the situation in Kosovo with the participation of the Foreign Ministers of Japan and Canada. We have made available to you the statement issued by the Foreign Ministers after their meeting. I hope you have a good look at this statement. In a nutshell, two things were agreed upon in this meeting. With a view to avoiding a further deterioration of the situation in Kosovo, firstly the Foreign Ministers urged the parties, that is the authorities in Belgrade and the Kosovo Albanian leaders, to put an end to violence and to seek a political solution to the situation. Secondly, they discussed the responses that might be taken if there is no improvement in the situation, and in this context, agreed to take additional measures against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Let me now draw your attention to paragraph eight of the statement issued by the Foreign Ministers in London. I will read out the paragraph. It says: "The Foreign Ministers of Canada, the French Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States confirmed their decision to implement the ban on new investment in the Republic of Serbia and to freeze funds held abroad by the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Government of Serbia, and agreed to take steps to ban flights by Yugoslav carriers between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and their countries. Japan supported this approach and agreed to consider similar action." In keeping with this commitment, the Government of Japan announced a new set of measures to be taken against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. May I draw your attention to the statement made by Chief Cabinet Secretary Kanezo Muraoka this morning. It is titled, "Statement by the Chief Cabinet Secretary on the Kosovo Situation." Let me draw your attention to paragraph two: "Given the serious situation in Kosovo, the Government of Japan decided to take appropriate measures to ban new investment in Serbia and to freeze the funds of the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Government of Serbia in Japan, with a view to contributing to the international efforts exerted for a political settlement of the Kosovo problem. The Government of Japan has already been denying export credit to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and in view of the present situation it has been refusing the issuance of visas to senior Yugoslav and Serbian officials responsible for repressive action by security forces in Kosovo. The Government of Japan will continue to implement these measures, taking the Kosovo situation into careful consideration.

   Q: Regarding the Kosovo situation, can you just reiterate what the Government of Japan hopes to accomplish with these further economic measures announced today? What is the Government of Japan hoping to achieve with this new stepped up --

   A: These economic measures that the Government of Japan announced this morning are in concert with the measures announced by some key G8 members and other members of the European Union (EU). The purpose of the Japanese measures is to enhance the effectiveness of economic sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and also to send a strong political message to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from the international community and to encourage a political solution through dialogue of the problem in Kosovo.

   Q: NATO decided to take some military action in Kosovo. What is the position of Japan on this?

   A: We are extremely concerned about the current situation in Kosovo and the Government of Japan hopes that the parties involved in the current situation initiate dialogue to bring about a peaceful solution to this problem.

   Q: Is Japan for or against military action, in light of what you say about Japan being hopeful for a peaceful solution?

   A: We are hoping that a peaceful solution is achieved in Kosovo. That is why we announced this new set of measures concerning Kosovo which are designed to encourage the parties to reach a peaceful settlement of the present situation. That is our hope.

   Q: In the G8 statement on Kosovo at paragraph eight it says that these various countries made the decision to ban new investment, freeze funds and take steps to ban flights. Then it says Japan supported this approach and agreed to consider similar action. Is there some reason why Japan was not prepared to agree to these measures at that time? Then Mr. Muraoka announced the ban on investments and the freezing of funds but nothing about the flights. Was that the main sticking point that Japan could not say that they would do that as well?

   A: This is not anything new. The decision to freeze new investments and overseas assets of the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was made by the Contact Group on 29 April and at the G8 Foreign Ministers' Meeting held also in London on 8 May, the Governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Canada announced that they would be implementing sanctions. At that time we made the announcement that we would look at what measures we might be able to take. One of the reasons that we took this stance, while Japan is not a member of the Contact Group, is Japan's desire to cooperate, to work in concert, with the efforts of the Contact Group. That is why we announced at that time that we would look at the measures that we might be able to take. It was announced in London on 12 June that in view of the further deterioration of the situation that the Contact Group members would be putting in place their sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and so the Government of Japan decided to go along with the Contact Group members and to put in place sanctions of its own.

   Q: But in this statement of 12 June, Japan did not announce that they would impose these measures.

   A: Well, we did not. However, it clearly says that Japan supported this approach and agreed to consider similar actions and that action was taken very quickly we think, on 16 June, which was only four days after the meeting in London.

   Q: Japan is also considering the banning of flights?

   A: To my knowledge there are no flights between Japan and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

4. Relations between the Republic of Korea and North Korea

   Q: A question about the Korean Peninsula. Today, the former chairman of Hyundai in the Republic of Korea visited North Korea. I think his visit to North Korea is a starting point for mutual cooperation between the Republic of Korea and North Korea. Many government officers visit each other in Panmunjom but it is the first case of a private individual at Panmunjom. What do you think of the effect that this will have on the economic measures between the Republic of Korea and North Korea?

   A: I do not know if I am the best person to make an assessment of the visit, to make predictions about the impact that this visit might have on the relations between the Republic of Korea and North Korea. We believe that progress in exchanges and dialogue between the Republic of Korea and North Korea is something that is very positive from the perspective of achieving peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and we welcome this development.

5. Elections in Australia

   Q: Regarding Australia, you may have heard a bit about Pauline Hanson's political party and the Australian elections. The platform of this party is pointedly anti-Asian. Does Japan have any reservations or any concerns at all about the increasing power of this party and does it see any impact on relations between the two countries?

   A: As you know, we have excellent ties with Australia and we are confident that will continue to be the case in the future. I do not have any comments to make regarding the internal political situation in Australia.

   Q: These comments that were made were quite directly pointed at other nations in Asia, however. She made direct reference to the immigration policies and is basically critical of an influx of Asian immigrants to Australia. Is Japan carefully watching the developments? Does Japan have any sort of status you could tell us about what Japan is looking at?

   A: I do not have any comments to offer on this subject. Of course the Government of Japan tries to keep abreast of everything that is going on in the world. That is one of the important functions of our embassies overseas. So in general terms of course that includes following the domestic situation in the other countries of the world, but I do not have any comments to offer on this particular question.

   Q: There are some other officials from the Ministry that have made comments about this situation, and I was wondering whether or not --

   A: Do you mean today?

   Q: In the past two days.

   A: I have not discussed this matter with my colleagues in this building. At the present moment I do not have any comments.

   Q: Could you give us at least one statement about where there has been some decline in the amount of migration, in the amount of tourism to Australia and other countries because of the economic conditions? However, has Japan noticed any other changes in the economic flow between Australia and Japan?

   A: I do not have any specific figures or data on that subject. I will get back to you on that.

   Q: If I could just ask you to reiterate then on this type of situation involving a party. What is Japan's position on these type of comments being made in an internal political situation?

   A: Our general policy is not to comment on the domestic affairs of other countries.

   Q: Is this case included in such a policy?

   A: Yes, I would say so. The general stance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Government of Japan is not to comment on discussions taking place domestically in other countries.

   Q: At what point would it become an issue? Would it become an issue if any of these parts of the platform became policy? Is that the only time?

   A: We also have a policy of not answering hypothetical questions.