Press Conference 15 December 2000

1. Announcement on the election of Governor George Bush as President of the United States of America
2. Announcement on the closure of Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant
3. Announcement on the signing of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime
4. Comments on the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement on the conflict between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the State of Eritrea
5. Question on the appointment of the new Ambassador of Peru to Japan
6. Follow-up question on the closure of Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant
7. Question on the upset in the Republic of Peru over the Japanese nationality of former President Alberto Fujimori
8. Follow-up question on the telephone conversation between Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and President-elect George Bush of the United States of America

1. Announcement on the election of Governor George Bush as President of the United States of America

   Deputy Press Secretary Chikahito Harada: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. First, I would like to make four announcements at the outset.

   Yesterday Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono issued statements to extend their congratulations to Governor George Bush on his election as the next President of the United States of America.

   Today, just before noon, Prime Minister Mori had a brief telephone conversation with President-elect Bush, which I would like to share with you. Having extended his congratulations to President-elect Bush, Prime Minister Mori said as follows: "I am convinced that President-elect Bush will become a distinguished leader, not only for the United States, but also for the world, and we are encouraged that President-elect Bush has stressed the significance of strengthening the Japan- US alliance. I would like to cooperate with you to tackle together the issues facing the international community in the 21st century. I would like to meet you at the earliest possible date after your inauguration as the next President of the United States. We would like to coordinate a concrete date from now on."

   President-elect Bush responded as follows: "I attach importance to US-Japan relations and would like to cooperate with Prime Minister Mori. I will make efforts to make sure that the world recognizes the importance of US-Japan relations. I will soon appoint the Secretary of State whose name is well-known, and I am sure he is well aware of the importance of close cooperation with Japan. As for Prime Minister Mori's suggestion to visit the United States, I will tell my advisor, Ms. Condoleezza Rice, to coordinate a concrete date."

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   This is the readout of the brief telephone conversation.

2. Announcement on the closure of Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant

   Mr. Harada: The Government of Japan underscores the importance of achieving nuclear safety and in this regard welcomes the termination by the Government of Ukraine of the operation of Unit 3 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, marking the final closure of the plant.

   It is Japan's continuing policy to develop and utilize nuclear energy with a view to ensuring stable energy supply and improving the quality of life of the nation, while placing utmost importance on limiting its nuclear activities to peaceful purposes and securing safety in all aspects of such activities. Japan has therefore maintained keen interest in the issue of nuclear safety in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.

   Based on the recognition that the issues related to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, in particular, are among important nuclear safety agenda, Japan has provided financial assistance for enhanced safety through the Nuclear Safety Account established in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. This year, Japan has also made great efforts as the Chair of the G8 for the success of the pledging conference for the Chernobyl Shelter Fund.

   The closure will bring about a new set of challenges to be overcome, such as a substitute power resource and discharged workers. Japan will continue to provide assistance toward resolution of these problems in cooperation with other G7 countries.

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3. Announcement on the signing of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime

   Mr. Harada: Japan signed the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime on 12 December at a high-level conference held in Palermo in the Italian Republic. The signatory was Senior State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Kiyohiro Araki.

   The heads of the G8 countries reaffirmed in the G8 Communique Okinawa 2000 during the G8 Kyushu-Okinawa Summit in July 2000 that they would support the adoption of the Convention by the end of this year.

   Japan has played a significant role in negotiations for the drafting of the Convention, including its contribution in its capacity as a member of the Bureau of the Ad Hoc Committee.

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4. Comments on the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement on the conflict between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the State of Eritrea

   Mr. Harada: The State of Eritrea and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia signed a comprehensive peace agreement on 12 December. Japan welcomes this comprehensive peace agreement and also pays respect to the tenacious mediation efforts by the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria and the United States.

   Japan strongly hopes that the peace accord will steadily be implemented, thus the remaining issues, including border demarcation, will be settled, and that the two countries will work toward post-conflict reconstruction and the prevention of the recurrence of hostilities. Japan is determined to continue to extend its active support for their efforts.

   Those are the announcements that I wanted to make, and I would be delighted to answer any questions that you may have.

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5. Question on the appointment of the new Ambassador of Peru to Japan

   Q: I heard that a new Peruvian ambassador is coming to Japan. Has the Japanese Government confirmed who it will be yet?

   Mr. Harada: As far as I know, it has not yet been officially decided who will be the next Peruvian ambassador to Japan, but we are expecting the new ambassador to come to Japan as soon as possible.

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6. Follow-up question on the closure of Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant

   Q: Regarding Chernobyl, I think the initial plan was to close the plant down today. It is still early in the morning in Ukraine. Did the schedule change?

   Mr. Harada: Of course there is a time lag between Ukraine and Japan, so maybe the closing ceremony will be some hours from now, but we made this statement because we wanted to make our position clear on the closing of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant at this press conference. Maybe we are running ahead a bit.

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7. Question on the upset in the Republic of Peru over the Japanese nationality of former President Alberto Fujimori

   Q: What is the Japanese Government doing to calm down the upset in Peru over the Japanese nationality of Mr. Fujimori?

   Mr. Harada: First, I would like to make clear our basic position, which is, I believe, shared by the Government of the Republic of Peru.

   Both governments have made it clear that we will continue to strengthen the friendly relations between our two countries. There will be no change in our relationship.

   We are aware of the demonstration and other movements in the Republic of Peru, but we would like to cooperate with the Government of Peru to strengthen our friendly relations and deepen our mutual understanding. That is what I can say at this moment.

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8. Follow-up question on the telephone conversation between Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and President-elect George Bush of the United States of America

   Q: Regarding the phone call between Prime Minister Mori and Mr. Bush, you mentioned that he said he would appoint the Secretary of State soon. Did he name anyone?

   Mr. Harada: He only said that his name is well-known, but he did not mention the name.

   Q: So, it is a man then, if he said "his"?

   Mr. Harada: He said his name is well-known, so maybe he is the man who you now bear in mind.

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