Press Conference 13 October 2000

1. Introduction
2. Comment made by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori on the joint communique issued by the United States of America and North Korea
3. Remarks by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono on the rising of tensions between the Israelis and the Palestinians
4. Announcement on the lifting of economic sanctions against the Republic of Yugoslavia
5. Questions pertaining to the Japanese exclusive economic zone (EEZ)
6. Attack on an American warship off the Republic of Yemen
7. Follow-up questions on the situation in the Middle East
8. Questions on the lifting of sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

1. Introduction

   Deputy Press Secretary Chikahito Harada: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Before I begin my press conference, I will just remind you that, as you have already been informed, after this conference there will be a briefing on the summit meeting between Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and Premier of the State Council Zhu Rongji of the People's Republic of China by Press Secretary Ryuichiro Yamazaki, who attended the meeting this morning.

   Related Information (Visit to Japan of the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, and Mrs. Zhu Rongji)
   
2. Comment made by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori on the joint communique issued by the United States of America and North Korea

   Mr. Harada: I have three announcements to start with. I would first like to share with you the comment made by Prime Minister Mori on the joint communique issued by the United States of America and North Korea.

   It is epoch-making that Vice Marshall and Vice First Chairman of the National Defense Commission Jo Myong Rok of North Korea visited the United States and had talks with key figures of the United States Government, including President William Jefferson Clinton. This visit resulted in the production of a document covering a wide range of issues between the United States and North Korea. The Government of Japan heartily welcomes this development.

   Regarding the issues of the Korean Peninsula, a favorable trend has been in evidence since the historic North-South Summit talks, and the results obtained between the United States and North Korea at this meeting have put such a trend on a firmer basis and contribute to resolving various issues in relation to North Korea and easing tension on the Korean Peninsula. The Government of Japan hopes that this trend will also have a positive influence on Japan-North Korea relations.

   The Government of Japan will make persistent efforts, in the context of such a trend, to achieve significant progress in Japan-North Korea relations through normalization talks in close cooperation with the United States and the Republic of Korea.

   Related Information (Japan-The United States Relations)
   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
   
3. Remarks by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono on the rising of tensions between the Israelis and the Palestinians

   Mr. Harada: My second announcement is on the situation in the Middle East. Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono made some remarks this morning on the recent developments in the Middle East. I would like to give you the essence of Foreign Minister Kono's remarks as follows.

   The Government of Japan is gravely concerned by the rising of tensions between Israelis and Palestinians in such cities as Ramallah and Gaza, which have been mounting again since yesterday, and the horrible casualties that have been caused as a result of the worsening situation.

   Japan strongly urges the State of Israel to stop further escalation of the situation by restraining from any threat or excessive use of force.

   Japan further urges both parties concerned to take decisive action in order to stop the vicious cycle of violence.

   Foreign Minister Kono requested acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Shlomo Ben-Ami of the State of Israel and Minister Nabeel Sha'ath of the Palestinian Authority to exert maximum self-restraint, in the respective telephone conversations on 10 and 12 October.

   Japan is ready and determined to extend any possible assistance, as much as possible, in cooperation with the international community, to calm the current situation.

   Related Information (Crisis in the Middle East Peace Process)
   
4. Announcement on the lifting of economic sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

   Mr. Harada: My final announcement today is on the lifting of economic sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

   In light of the recent democratic change in Yugoslavia, the Government of Japan has started to consider lifting sanctions against Yugoslavia.

   As a footnote, Japan decided to take sanctions against Yugoslavia in June 1998. The sanctions consist of the suspension of investment in Serbia, freezing assets of the Yugoslav and Serb governments in Japan, and restrictions on issuing visas to persons related to those governments.

   Related Information (Japan-Serbia and Montenegro Relations)
   
5. Questions pertaining to the Japanese exclusive economic zone (EEZ)

   Q: Just a point of information that does not have anything to do with the talks today. I want some clarification from you about the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Is this recognized and accepted by the Chinese side?

   Mr. Harada: Actually, the Government of Japan is currently engaged in consultations with the Chinese side on the demarcation of a certain area of the EEZ. The consultations are still ongoing, so we have not yet come to any conclusions on this certain area of the EEZ.

   Q: Do the Chinese have a similar point that is difficult to accept or recognize?

   Mr. Harada: Again, we have not come to a common position on a certain part of the EEZ. That is a matter of ongoing consultations between Japan and China.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
   
6. Attack on an American warship off the Republic of Yemen

   Q: Do you have any comment on the attack on the American warship in the waters off Yemen?

   Mr. Harada: Naturally, the Government of Japan greatly regrets that this incident occurred, causing casualties and fatalities. We would like to express our condolences to the bereaved families and our wishes for the recovery of the injured.

   An investigation is underway, and the United States has not yet come to any concrete conclusions on the incident. We would like to await the results of the investigation before making any further comment.

   Q: I know there are many American bases in Japan. Do you think that in light of the attack against the American warship there will be increased security in Japan by the Japanese Government?

   Mr. Harada: Japan has an agreement with the United States concerning the facilities and areas and the status of the US Armed Forces in Japan. According to that agreement, within those facilities and areas, the United States may take all the measures it deems necessary for the security of those facilities and areas. Of course, if there is a request from the US side, we will take the necessary measures, but at this stage we have not received such requests.

   Related Information (Japan-The United States Relations)
   Related Information (Japan-Yemen Relations)
   
7. Follow-up questions on the situation in the Middle East

   Q: In your announcement on the Palestinian issue, you said that Foreign Minister Kono expressed concern at the excessive use of force by the Israeli Government. Do you mean launching missiles against civilian targets?

   Mr. Harada: Foreign Minister Kono did not make reference to specific actions. His remarks were made in light of the developments we have witnessed recently.

   Q: Do you feel that the Middle East peace process is collapsing?

   Mr. Harada: I think the situation is very serious. The Government of Japan strongly hopes that both parties concerned make every effort to calm the situation and return to negotiations.

   Related Information (Crisis in the Middle East Peace Process)
   
8. Questions on the lifting of sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

   Q: You mentioned that Japan is planning to lift the sanctions against Yugoslavia, and you said that you wanted to unfreeze their deposits in Japan?

   Mr. Harada: The Government has begun considering that.

   Q: Are you planning to send any delegation to Yugoslavia to study the situation?

   Mr. Harada: At this stage we do not have any concrete plans to dispatch any personnel to Yugoslavia, but it depends on how the situation develops.

   Related Information (Japan-Serbia and Montenegro Relations)