Press Conference 6 October 2000

1. Emergency medical aid to the Palestinian Authority
2. Remarks by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono on the situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
3. Visit to Japan by President Seyyed Mohammad Khatami of the Islamic Republic of Iran
4. Dispatch of a special envoy to the ceremony marking the 20th year of economic cooperation between Japan and the People's Republic of China
5. Vice Ministerial Subcommittee Meeting of the Japanese-Russian Joint Committee on the Conclusion of a Peace Treaty
6. Follow-up comments on the visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Habib Ben Yahia of the Republic of Tunisia
7. Follow-up question on the announcement of the visit to Japan by President Khatami
8. Question on reports of a visit to Japan by Prime Minister Goh Chuk Tong of the Republic of Singapore
9. Questions on food aid to North Korea
10. Questions on the situation in the Middle East
11. Other questions

1. Emergency medical aid to the Palestinian Authority

   Deputy Press Secretary Chikahito Harada: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have six announcements to begin with.

   My first announcement is on emergency medical aid to the Palestinian Authority. Yesterday, 5 October, the Government of Japan decided to extend to the Palestinian Authority emergency medical aid of US$500,000 through the United Nations Development Fund (UNDF) in response to the request it had received from the Ministry of Health of the Palestinian Authority. The Government of Japan made the decision, fully taking into consideration the serious conditions caused by the recent clashes between the Israeli security forces and the Palestinians, which had been continuing since 28 September and resulted in more than 1,600 Palestinians injured, mostly civilians.

   The assistance will be dispersed for the purchase of medical devices, such as monitors for emergency rooms and intensive care units (ICU), critical care ventilators, anesthesia machines, etc. Those devices are in urgent need for the treatment of the wounded in the hospitals in the West Bank and Gaza.

   Japan hopes that its assistance will help the hospitals provide better treatment to the injured Palestinians. In view of the pressing need to ease the situation to prevent further casualties, Japan strongly urges the parties concerned to refrain from any provocations and use of violence, and to exert maximum self-restraint in order to calm the situation as soon as possible.

   Related Information (Japan-Middle East Relations)
   
2. Remarks by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono on the situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

   Mr. Harada: My second announcement concerns the situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. I would like to share with you the content of a statement made by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono this morning at his press conference.

   The Government of Japan has repeatedly stated that President Slobodan Milosevic should sincerely respect the will of the people. It seems that the result of the election held on 24 September in Yugoslavia, and the will of many Yugoslavs, as shown by the huge demonstration going on since last night in Belgrade, are putting an end to the Milosevic regime.

   The Government of Japan pays its respect to the strong will of the Yugoslavian people wishing democratic changes, and expects that Yugoslavia will soon be democratized under Dr. Vojislav Kostunica of the Democratic Socialist Party of Serbia (DSS).

   Japan is ready to play an active role as the Chair of the G8, in close contact with the major Western countries. Yesterday Foreign Minister Kono spoke with Minister of Foreign Affairs Herbert Vedrine of the French Republic, the Chair of the European Union (EU), about the situation in Yugoslavia and other issues. At that time Foreign Minister Kono asked Minister of Foreign Affairs Vedrine to inform Japan if there is any way in which the G8 can contribute.

   Related Information (Japan-Serbia and Montenegro Relations)
   
3. Visit to Japan by President Seyyed Mohammad Khatami of the Islamic Republic of Iran

   Mr. Harada: President Seyyed Mohammad Khatami of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and his entourage, will pay an official visit to Japan from 31 October to 3 November 2000.

   During his stay in Japan, President Khatami will make a state call on His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. His Majesty the Emperor will host a court luncheon in honor of President Khatami.

   President Khatami will also meet with Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori. In addition, Prime Minister Mori will host a dinner in honor of President Khatami.

   The visit of President Khatami is an historic visit: This is the first Iranian leader's visit to Japan since the visit of Mohammad Leza Shah Pahlavi in 1958. The Government of Japan sincerely welcomes the visit of President Khatami, which will further strengthen the friendly relations existing between our two countries.

   Related Information (Japan-Iran Relations)
   
4. Dispatch of a special envoy to the ceremony marking the 20th year of economic cooperation between Japan and the People's Republic of China

   Mr. Harada: The Government of Japan has decided to dispatch Member of the House of Representatives and Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Hiromu Nonaka as a special envoy to attend a ceremony marking the 20th year of economic cooperation between Japan and the People's Republic of China, which will take place on 8 October in Beijing.

   Secretary-General Tetsuzo Fuyushiba of the Komeito Party, Secretary-General Takeshi Noda of the Conservative Party, and others will also attend this ceremony.

   China has organized this ceremony to express its appreciation for the economic cooperation that Japan has extended to China. Secretary-General Nonaka will meet Premier Zhu Rongji, Minister for Foreign Affairs Jiaxuan Tang, and others.

   The Government of Japan has been consistently supporting China's open and reform policy from the viewpoint that the relationship between Japan and China is one of the most important bilateral relations and that China's stability and development are crucial to international peace and prosperity. The Government of Japan has therefore decided to dispatch a special envoy to the ceremony, regarding the dispatch as extremely important from the viewpoint of not only economic cooperation but also bilateral relations in general between Japan and China.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
   
5. Vice Ministerial Subcommittee Meeting of the Japanese-Russian Joint Committee on the Conclusion of a Peace Treaty

   Mr. Harada: A Vice Ministerial Subcommittee Meeting of the Japanese-Russian Joint Committee on the Conclusion of a Peace Treaty, including the meetings of the Subcommittee on Border Demarcation and the Subcommittee on Joint Economic Activities, and a vice-ministerial level consultation, will take place on 23 October in Tokyo.

   These meetings will be attended by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Ryozo Kato on the Japanese side, and others, and on the Russian side by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Aleksandr Losyukov, and others.

   These meetings follow on from the previous subcommittee held in Moscow on 22 June this year.

   Related Information (Japan-Russia Relations)
   
6. Follow-up comments on the visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Habib Ben Yahia of the Republic of Tunisia

   Mr. Harada: My final announcement is on the meetings between Minister of Foreign Affairs Habib Ben Yahia of the Republic of Tunisia and Prime Minister Mori and Foreign Minister Kono.

   Yesterday Foreign Minister Ben Yahia paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Mori and held a meeting with Foreign Minister Kono. Foreign Minister Kono also hosted a dinner for Foreign Minister Ben Yahia.

   I would like to share with you some of the readout of these meetings. The elements of the two meetings are similar, so I will mainly introduce the elements of the meeting between Prime Minister Mori and Foreign Minister Ben Yahia. As a footnote, Prime Minister Mori is the President of the Japan-Tunisia Friendship Parliamentary Association.

   At the outset, Foreign Minister Ben Yahia handed two letters from President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of the Republic of Tunisia, one concerning the Tunisian support for Japan's permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, the other concerning an invitation to Prime Minister Mori to visit Tunisia.

   Foreign Minister Ben Yahia made remarks to the following effect. Firstly on bilateral relations, President Ben Ali appreciates very much Japan's cooperation with Tunisia through official development assistance (ODA) and the Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC). Tunisia is now achieving a success story in North Africa and the Mediterranean region. Tunisia would like to ask for Japan's support, including investment, in the process of regional integration.

   Foreign Minister Ben Yahia expressed his hope to strengthen partnership with Japan both in economic and political areas. With regard to the economic area, Foreign Minister Ben Yahia referred to information technology (IT): He said that Tunisia paid close attention to the initiatives taken by Prime Minister Mori at the Kyushu-Okinawa G8 Summit with regard to the digital divide, and that Tunisia is now planning to host an international IT summit in 2003. As for the partnership in the political area, Foreign Minister Ben Yahia referred to the reform of the United Nations Security Council and the development of Africa. On reform of the Security Council, Foreign Minister Ben Yahia said that Tunisia and Japan could work jointly to get support from Arab and African countries. In regard to the development of Africa, Foreign Minister Ben Yahia remarked that Tunisia could give good advice to Japan.

   Prime Minister Mori responded that he would like to make efforts to further strengthen the bilateral relationship with Tunisia, and furthermore that he appreciated the invitation to visit Tunisia extended by President Ben Ali. Prime Minister Mori also stated that it is a good plan to host an international IT summit, in the sense that Tunisian initiatives will increase the importance of Tunisia's role in North Africa and the Mediterranean region. Japan would like to cooperate with Tunisia in the areas of IT and infectious diseases within the framework of Japan's initiatives announced on the occasion of the Kyushu-Okinawa G8 Summit. Prime Minister Mori also welcomed cooperation with Tunisia for the development of Africa.

   Prime Minister Mori and Foreign Minister Ben Yahia then exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East peace process. Foreign Minister Ben Yahia said that both countries could closely cooperate to contribute to efforts for Middle East peace. President Ben Ali kept close contact with President William Jefferson Clinton of the United States of America and Chairman Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Authority during the Camp David Meeting held in July. Tunisia, at that time, emphasized that the issue of Jerusalem should not be included in the package, given it is such an explosive issue, and the parties concerned should start from the issues of territory, water, and refugees, which can be solved.

   Prime Minister Mori replied that Japan appreciates the role played by Tunisia as a moderate power in the Middle East. The Government of Japan is concerned about the deteriorating situation surrounding the Middle East peace and has been urging the parties concerned to halt any act of provocation or violence and exert maximum efforts to calm the situation as soon as possible. Prime Minister Mori went on to say that Japan would like to ask Tunisia to continue to be actively engaged in the situation. It is necessary to bring the parties concerned back on the track. On the issue of Jerusalem, Prime Minister Mori said that both sides have their own stances based on a long history. Prime Minister Mori expressed his hope that the parties concerned would resume negotiations for peace without the situation deteriorating.

   I would like to add one point that was referred to in the meeting between Foreign Minister Kono and Foreign Minister Ben Yahia, concerning the development of Africa. Foreign Minister Kono said that with regard to the development of Africa, Japan is starting to take initiatives for Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) III and Japan would like to cooperate with Tunisia for the development of Africa, and to that end, engage in tripartite cooperation, particularly in the area of the development of human resources. In response to that, Foreign Minister Ben Yahia agreed to promote such cooperation with Japan.

   Related Information (Japan-Tunisia Relations)
   
7. Follow-up question on the announcement of the visit to Japan by President Khatami

   Q: What is the most important subject that Prime Minister Mori is going to discuss with President Khatami?

   Mr. Harada: We are still coordinating with the Iranian side, and we have another month to go. As we come closer to the visit, I will be able to provide you with more information. Though I am not in a position to provide any concrete information at this stage, I do think that both leaders will exchange views on bilateral issues and the international situation.

   Q: I understand that the United States applied sanctions against Iran. Did you have consultations with the United States regarding your advancement of Japan-Iran relations? I remember that Japanese loans to Iran are frozen on the recommendation of the United States.

   Mr. Harada: Of course we keep close contact with the United States on various issues. At the same time we have our own policies towards Iran, and the United States is fully aware of those policies. We would like to strengthen our friendly relations with Iran, and the upcoming visit of President Khatami will give very strong political impetus to our bilateral relationship.

   Related Information (Japan-Iran Relations)
   
8. Question on reports of a visit to Japan by Prime Minister Goh Chuk Tong of the Republic of Singapore

   Q: I was wondering if you could comment on reports that Singapore's Prime Minister might be visiting Japan?

   Mr. Harada: Foreign Minister Kono said that there is information that Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong of the Republic of Singapore might visit Japan, before or after the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Seoul. However, this is not confirmed yet. If we arrive at a stage when I can make an official announcement, I will make the information available to you.

   Related Information (Japan-Singapore Relations)
   
9. Questions on food aid to North Korea

   Q: The Cabinet announced that Japan is going to give 500,000 tons of rice to North Korea. Over how many months is Japan going to give that amount?

   Mr. Harada: The issue of food aid was discussed this morning at an informal meeting of Cabinet ministers--it was not part of a formal Cabinet meeting. The Government has not yet formally announced a decision on food aid to North Korea. It is going to be announced soon. Although it has not been formally announced, I can share some background to this issue.

   According to the World Food Program, this year's harvest in North Korea will fall short of expected estimates, and emergency food aid activities for next year, to be decided at the end of this year, will be equal to or exceed this year's plan, which was 580,000 tons. The needs for the remainder of this year and next year are still huge--at least a total of approximately 880,000 tons.

   Another aspect of the situation is that there is a time lag between the decision on aid and the actual delivery of aid, since a certain amount of time is required for domestic preparations, including domestic procedures and shipment. For example, we decided to provide 100,000 tons of food aid in March: The first shipment was made in May and the final shipment was completed in August. On the other hand, there have been dynamic movements on the Korean Peninsula, such as developments in dialogue between the Republic of Korea and North Korea since the North-South Summit meeting, and it is envisaged that this very important phase will continue next year. Based upon these factors, in order to back up the positive movements on the Korean Peninsula and bring about positive effects on the relationship with North Korea, which faces a serious shortage of food, it is appropriate for Japan to provide food aid from this year to the next year. The Government of Japan also believes that clarifying Japan's intention beforehand will strengthen the diplomatic impact of such food aid.

   Q: So it is not formal yet?

   Mr. Harada: No, it is not yet formal. It will be announced very soon, maybe even during the course of today.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
   
10. Questions on the situation in the Middle East

    Q: On the Palestinian issue, Japan offered if it could do anything as G8 Chair, but more than 1,600 Palestinians have been injured in their clashes with Israeli forces. Does Japan intend to act as the G8 Chair to stop the clashes?

    Mr. Harada: The parties concerned are now consulting, and we are closely monitoring how the situation develops. As I mentioned at the outset, Japan, for its part, made a decision to provide emergency aid. We will see how the situation proceeds.

    Q: Is Japan ready to play the role of the Chair of the G8?

    Mr. Harada: If the situation requires, we are ready to play the role of Chair of G8.

    Q: What is Japan's reaction to the shooting of unarmed civilians?

    Mr. Harada: It is difficult to answer in general terms. In the context of clashes in Jerusalem, we condemn the acts of provocation and are concerned by the instances of excessive use of force that have been observed in the past few days.

    Q: By who?

    Mr. Harada: You can interpret from my remarks.

    Related Information (Japan-Middle East Relations)
    
11. Other questions

    Q: I remember that Japan has had other meetings with African countries. They say that they are going to help Japan advance in Africa. Which is the most important country in this regard for Japan's policy in Africa?

    Mr. Harada: In response to your question, I can only say that when Japan conducts diplomatic activities in regard to Africa, we do not put priorities on countries.

    Q: Do you have any comment regarding the earthquake that happened about an hour ago in Tottori? Do you have offers from other countries for assistance?

    Mr. Harada: I do not have information on this yet.

    Q: Will the leaders of Komeito and the Conservative Party also meet with Premier Rhu Rongji?

    Mr. Harada: I should think so.

    Q: Regarding the Tunisian-Japan meeting, did they issue a joint statement?

    Mr. Harada: No.