Press Conference 8 September 2000

1. Announcement on the statement by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori at the United Nations Millennium Summit
2. Announcement on the attack on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Office in West Timor
3. Remarks on the attendance of Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono at the United Nations Millennium General Assembly
4. Visit to Japan of President Kim Dae Jung of the Republic of Korea
5. Visit to Japan of President Hugo Banzer Suarez of the Republic of Bolivia and Mrs. Banzer
6. Visit to Japan of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Roosevelt Douglas of the Commonwealth of Dominica
7. Question relating to the military espionage case
8. Question concerning support for Japan's bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council
9. Follow-up question to Foreign Minister Kono's meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
10. Question on Japan's position regarding rising oil prices
11. Questions regarding the possible visit to Japan of Minister of Foreign Affairs Habib Ben Yahia of the Republic of Tunisia

1. Announcement on the statement by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori at the United Nations Millennium Summit

   Deputy Press Secretary Chikahito Harada: Good afternoon and welcome back to our press conference after the summer recess. Today, I have several announcements to start with.

   Firstly, on the statement by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori which was made on 7 September (8 September Japan time). I would like to share with you the main elements of this statement. This statement was made at the United Nations Millennium Summit.

   Prime Minister Mori emphasized two points in particular. Firstly, the importance of dealing with issues confronting the international community from a human-centered point of view. Secondly, the need to strengthen the functions of the United Nations (UN) in the 21st century.

   On the first point, Prime Minister Mori stated as follows: "With 'human security' as one of the pillars of its diplomacy, Japan will spare no effort to make the 21st century a human-centered century. The United Nations must play a more active role in promoting such a human-centered approach. Based upon this recognition, Japan has to date contributed more than 9 billion yen (or well over US$80 million) to the 'Human Security Fund' which was established at the United Nations in March 1999. In the near future, Japan intends to make a further contribution to this fund of approximately 10 billion yen (or roughly US$100 million). Japan also intends to establish an international committee on human security, with the participation of world-renowned opinion leaders, and to further develop and deepen the concept of this human-centered approach.

   On the second point, Prime Minister Mori stressed that it was essential that the functions of the UN be strengthened, and in particular that the Security Council be reformed, and that was clear today that the Security Council did not fully reflect the realities of the international community. He strongly appealed to create a groundswell of support for the early realization of the Security Council reform through the discussions at this Millennium Summit and the following Millennium Assembly. Prime Minister Mori also stated that he was convinced that a large majority of Member States already supported the expansion of the permanent and non-permanent membership of the Council, as well as the inclusion of both developing and developed countries in expanded permanent membership. Prime Minister Mori proposed to confirm this as a starting point, and accumulate agreements, one by one, on those issues of the Security Council reform on which we could agree.

   Prime Minister Mori went on to emphasize that in order to strengthen the functioning of the UN, it was necessary to urgently secure a more sound financial base. Toward that end, he proposed to cooperate to realize an effective yet efficient use of financial resources and a fairer and more equitable sharing of the financial burden among Member States.

   Finally, he took up the issues of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Having expressed Japan's earnest desire that all countries join hands to free the 21st century from the fear and danger of nuclear weapons, and to prevent proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, Prime Minister Mori stated that in accordance with that desire, Japan would submit at the Millennium Summit Assembly a new draft resolution on the elimination of nuclear weapons.

   Related Information (Millennium Summit of the United Nations)
   
2. Announcement on the attack on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Office in West Timor

   Mr. Harada: According to the UN and other sources, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Office in Atambua in West Timor, Republic of Indonesia, was attacked on 6 September and at least three UNHCR staff members were killed. Japan deplores this incident and would like to express its deepest condolences for the victims.

   Japan expects that the Government of Indonesia, which is responsible for maintaining order in West Timor, will make the utmost efforts to restore security in the area and to prevent recurrence of such an incident.

   On 6 September, Prime Minister Mori had a chance to talk to President Abdurrahman Wahid of the Republic of Indonesia in the conference room of the UN Millennium Summit and requested that Indonesia settle the situation as soon as possible.

   Related Information (Japan-Indonesia Relations)
   
3. Remarks on the attendance of Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono at the United Nations Millennium General Assembly

   Mr. Harada: Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono will visit New York from 10-16 September to attend the United Nations Millennium General Assembly and to hold meetings with foreign ministers. Foreign Minister Kono will make a speech at the General Assembly on 13 September. Besides attending the General Assembly, on 11 September, there will be a meeting of the Japan-US Security Consultative Committee, the so-called "Two Plus Two" meeting. Foreign Minister Kono and Director-General Kazuo Torashima of the Defense Agency will meet Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Secretary of Defense William Cohen of the United States of America to exchange views on security related issues.

   Foreign Minister Kono will hold meetings with the foreign ministers of the Non Aligned Movement (NAM) Troika on 11 September and foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and the foreign ministers of Japan Rio Group on 12 September, and the foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) Troika on 13 September.

   On 13 September, Foreign Minister Kono will also host a luncheon for the representatives of the delegations of African countries. Also on 13 September, there will be a G8 Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Foreign Minister Kono will also have bilateral meetings with the United States America and the Russian Federation on 11 and 14 September respectively.

   Related Information (Millennium Assembly of the United Nations)
   
4. Visit to Japan of President Kim Dae Jung of the Republic of Korea

   Mr. Harada: President Kim Dae Jung of the Republic of Korea will visit Japan from 22-24 September. On 23 September, President Kim Dae Jung will move from Tokyo to the city of Atami where he will hold a relaxed meeting with Prime Minister Mori. The leaders will have a frank exchange of views mainly on the bilateral relationship and policies toward North Korea.

   Related Information (Japan-Republic of Korea Relations)
   
5. Visit to Japan of President Hugo Banzer Suarez of the Republic of Bolivia and Mrs. Banzer

   Mr. Harada: President Hugo Banzer Suarez of the Republic of Bolivia and Mrs. Banzer will pay an Official Working Visit to Japan from 3-7 October. During their stay in Japan, President Banzer and Mrs. Banzer will make a State Call on Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan. Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan will host a Court Luncheon in honor of President Banzer and Mrs. Banzer.

   President Banzer will also hold a meeting with Prime Minister Mori. Prime Minister Mori and Mrs. Mori will host a dinner in honor of President Banzer and Mrs. Banzer.

   Related Information (Japan-Bolivia Relations)
   
6. Visit to Japan of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Roosevelt Douglas of the Commonwealth of Dominica

   Mr. Harada: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Roosevelt Douglas of the Commonwealth of Dominica will visit Japan from 10-14 September and during his stay will hold meetings with Prime Minister Mori, Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Yoichi Tani, Senior State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Kiyohiro Araki, and others. Those are the announcements that I wanted to make and I would be delighted to answer any questions that you may have.

   Related Information (Japan-Commonwealth of Dominica Relations)
   
7. Question relating to the military espionage case

   Q: Does the foreign ministry have any comment concerning the espionage case reported by the media this morning?

   Mr. Harada: We have not obtained the details of the facts yet, but very much regret that such a case happened. Today, the Foreign Ministry conveyed to the Russian Embassy that the Police Agency requested the voluntary appearance of the military attache of the Russian Embassy, and asked for the cooperation of the Russian side. That is all I can say at this moment.

   Related Information (Japan-Russia Relations)
   
8. Question concerning support for Japan's bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council

   Q: Do you have the number of how many countries support Japan's bid for a permanent seat on the Security Council?

   Mr. Harada: I do not have the figures with me, but I can say that a large number of countries support Japan's bid for a permanent seat on the Security Council.

   Related Information (Japan and the United Nations)
   
   
9. Follow-up question to Foreign Minister Kono's meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

   Q: Does Foreign Minister Kono's meeting with the GCC foreign minister have any relation to bilateral issues?

   Mr. Harada: We are now coordinating the issues to be taken up at the meetings, so I cannot tell you concretely, but since this meeting is with the GCC, they will probably focus on regional cooperation and maybe exchange views on regional situations, such as the Middle East peace process, and others.

   Related Information (Japan-Middle East Relations)
   
   
10. Question on Japan's position regarding rising oil prices

    Q: Do you have any comment on the rising oil prices and the Japanese reaction to the meeting of OPEC?

    Mr. Harada: We are aware that the Oil Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) meeting is to be held on 10 September. Our position on the oil market is reflected in the G7 Statement adopted at the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit which is, "We are concerned about the adverse affect on world economic growth of recent developments in the world crude oil markets. In this context, we highlight the need for greater stability of oil markets to help ensure sustained growth and prosperity in both oil producing countries and oil consuming countries."

    At the same time, Japan is of the view that consumer countries have to build economies by energy saving and improvement of energy efficiency that will not be severely affected by oil prices. To that end, we would like to cooperate with Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) countries, and others.

    Related Information (Atomic Energy)
    
    
11. Questions regarding the possible visit to Japan of Minister of Foreign Affairs Habib Ben Yahia of the Republic of Tunisia

    Q: I heard that the Tunisian foreign minister will visit Japan early next month. Do you have any information on this?

    Mr. Harada: We are now coordinating with the Tunisian side and other parties concerned regarding the visit you just mentioned. However, we have not arrived at the stage where we can make an official announcement on the visit.

    Q: Does the same apply to Mr. Araki's visit to Arab countries next week?

    Mr. Harada: That is correct.

    Related Information (Japan-Tunisia Relations)