Press Conference 1 December 2000

1. Training human resources in East Timor
2. Extension of emergency aid for agricultural production in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
3. Assistance to North Korea regarding its registration to the World Heritage
4. Okinawa International Conference on Infectious Diseases
5. Visit to Japan of President Frederick Jacob Titus Chiluba of the Republic of Zambia
6. Visit to Japan of Minister of Foreign Affairs Youssouf Ouedraogo of Burkina Faso
7. Question on the report concerning the official development assistance (ODA) budget for the People's Republic of China
8. Question on comments made by Governor of Tokyo Shintaro Ishihara

1. Training human resources in East Timor

   Deputy Press Secretary Chikahito Harada: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have several announcements to make.

   On 1 December the Government of Japan decided to extend emergency grant assistance of US$658,000 for the Timor Loro Sae Scholarship Programme of the United Nations Development Program for the Training of Human Resources in East Timor.

   In December last year, the Government of Japan pledged assistance of up to US$100 million over three years for rehabilitation and development in East Timor. The present donation is part of that assistance.

   In East Timor, the process of independence and nation building is being promoted actively under the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET). However, East Timor suffers from a shortage of skilled people, and therefore the training of people in all fields has become an important task, especially the training of university students, who are expected to become leaders in East Timor in the future. This is extremely important and urgent.

   The Timor Loro Sae Scholarship Programme, which Japan is supporting, is intended to help East Timorese students studying in universities in the Republic of Indonesia. Many of the East Timorese students studying in universities in Indonesia were forced to suspend their studies after the change in the situation in East Timor after the direct ballot in August last year. The students who continued studying in Indonesia after the direct ballot were also compelled to stop their studies because of financial difficulties. It is these students who will receive the present assistance.

   Related Information (Timor-Leste Situation)
   
2. Extension of emergency aid for agricultural production in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

   Mr. Harada: Considering the recent situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and responding to a request from the Government of Yugoslavia, on 1 December the Government of Japan decided to lift its freeze on providing Yugoslavia with bilateral development aid and to extend an emergency grant aid of US$4.3 million to purchase fertilizer for wheat. The aid is part of the package assistance for Yugoslavia of up to US$10 million, which the Government of Japan recently announced.

   In Yugoslavia, where the Kostunica Administration has been smoothly rejoining the international community and strengthening the foundation of the new government that came to power in October, it is essential to solve food shortages in order to maintain the support of the people and strengthen the Kostunica Administration.

   The Government of Japan intends to continue supporting Yugoslavia's democratization and its efforts to rejoin the international community.

   Related Information (Japan-Serbia and Montenegro Relations)
   
3. Assistance to North Korea regarding its registration to the World Heritage

   Mr. Harada: On 13 November the Government of Japan decided to extend one minibus to North Korea in cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) assistance to register heritage in North Korea, including the tombs of Koguryo, to the World Heritage.

   The Republic of Korea is also participating in assistance through UNESCO and will extend one landcruiser vehicle.

   North Korea, which joined the World Heritage Convention in July 1998, is currently preparing for the registration of its cultural and natural heritage, including the tombs of Koguryo. The vehicle will be used in relation to the drafting of reports needed for registration to the World Heritage.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
   
4. Okinawa International Conference on Infectious Diseases

   Mr. Harada: My next announcement is on the Okinawa International Conference on Infectious Diseases, which will be hosted by Japan and held on 7-8 December in Ginowan City, Okinawa, as part of the follow-up to the G8 Kyushu-Okinawa Summit 2000.

   This conference will be attended by senior officials from the G8 Governments and the European Commission, countries seriously effected by infectious diseases (such as the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Republic of India, the Republic of Indonesia, the Republic of Kenya, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Senegal, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Republic of Uganda), international organizations, and experts from nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector. Main participants will include President Frederick Jacob Titus Chiluba of the Republic of Zambia, Ms. Sinta Nuriya Rahman, wife of President Abdurrahman Wahid of the Republic of Indonesia, and Director-General Gro Harlem Brundtland of the World Health Organization (WHO).

   At the conference the participants will be discussing new strategies and concrete actions plans for carrying out the agreement made at the G8 Kyushu-Okinawa Summit 2000 for the elimination of infectious diseases on the basis of the G8 Communique Okinawa 2000 adopted at the summit.

   Related Information (From Okinawa to Genoa G8 Action Based on the Decisions of Okinawa)
   
5. Visit to Japan of President Frederick Jacob Titus Chiluba of the Republic of Zambia

   Mr. Harada: President Chiluba will visit Japan from 5-9 December at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During his stay in Japan, President Chiluba will be received by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan on 6 December and will have talks with Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori on 5 December along with other leaders of Japan.

   As I already mentioned, President Chiluba will attend the Okinawa International Conference on Infectious Diseases and will make a keynote speech on 7 December.

   Related Information (Japan-Zambia Relations)
   
6. Visit to Japan of Minister of Foreign Affairs Youssouf Ouedraogo of Burkina Faso

   Mr. Harada: Minister of Foreign Affairs Youssouf Ouedraogo of Burkina Faso will visit Japan from 5-10 December at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During his stay, Foreign Minister Ouedraogo will meet Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono on 6 December and exchange views on bilateral relations and the situation in Africa.

   Related Information (Japan-Burkina Faso Relations)
   
7. Question on the report concerning the official development assistance (ODA) budget for the People's Republic of China

   Q: We understand that there is a report coming out later this month urging the Japanese Government to reconsider the ODA budget to China. I was wondering if you have received any reactions from China and what the Foreign Ministry feels about this recommendation?

   Mr. Harada: As you said, we are expecting the report from the Round Table Conference on Japan's ODA to China in the 21st century, but I understand that the report has not been finalized, so I am not in a position to make a comment on that.

   As to your question on reactions from China, as far as I know, we have not received any official reaction from the Chinese side through diplomatic channels.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
   
8. Question on comments made by Governor of Tokyo Shintaro Ishihara

   Q: I have a question regarding the remarks made yesterday by Governor Ishihara concerning the Japanese Constitution and China. What is the view of the Japanese Government on these remarks?

   Mr. Harada: I am aware of the media information on the remarks made by Governor of Tokyo Shintaro Ishihara, but I do not have the information on what he said exactly, so I have to refrain from making a comment on his remarks.

   My comment would be a rather general one, that since he is the Governor of Tokyo, his remarks do not represent the position of the Government of Japan.