Press Conference 16 January 2001

1. Visit to Africa by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori
2. Visit to the Gulf States by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono
3. Emergency assistance for earthquake disaster relief in El Salvado
4. The passage of the "Law on the Establishment of Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia for the Prosecution of Crimes Committed during the Period of Kampuchea"
5. Dispatch of State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Seishiro Eto to the Republic of Palau
6. Follow-up questions on the visit by Prime Minister Mori to Africa
7. Follow-up questions on the visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Kono to the Gulf States
8. Question on a meeting between Prime Minister Mori and President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation
9. Question on the case of an official under investigation
10. Final impressions from the Press Secretary

1. Visit to Africa by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori

   Press Secretary Ryuichiro Yamazaki: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I would like to give you a detailed rundown of Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori's trip to Africa and Greece at the outset.

   Turning first to the African countries, Prime Minister Mori visited the Republic of South Africa, the Republic of Kenya, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria in that order.

   There are several points to keep in mind when you look at the successful results of this trip. The first point is that this was the first trip by any Japanese prime minister to the Sub-Saharan African countries and this opens a new page in Japanese diplomacy. The second point is that this was not something that happened out of the blue--it is consistent with recent developments vis-à-vis Japan's position toward Africa. Let me cite two examples. One is the element of an important follow-up to the G8 Kyushu-Okinawa Summit Meeting held last year. Just before the Summit, if you remember, here in Tokyo, Prime Minister Mori in the Chair of the G8 took the initiative to have a dialogue with three leaders of Africa: President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, in his capacity as president of the Non-aligned Movement (NAM); President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, in his capacity as president of the G77; and also President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria, in his capacity as president of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). A meaningful dialogue took place at that time and it was followed up by another meeting between Prime Minister Mori and the three presidents in New York on the occasion of the United Nations Millennium Summit. Prime Minister Mori had met two of the leaders twice already and with this third meeting, the full circle of the dialogue that Prime Minister Mori had initiated with the developing countries' leaders is completed.

   Another consistent trend is that Japan has been hosting Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), which first met in 1993 and was followed by TICAD II in 1998. President Mbeki, when he was Vice President of South Africa, attended TICAD II in 1998. This shows how Japan has been emphasizing its relations with Africa in recent years.

   The third overall element is putting our foreign policy on a truly global footing. Now, the Prime Minister of Japan has visited all five continents.

   In that connection, Prime Minister Mori made a very important policy speech in South Africa, the first leg of the trip, on 9 January. We have already distributed the text, so I will just highlight a few points. The keywords in the speech, in line with the overall African trip, are that "there will be no stability and prosperity in the world of the 21st century unless the problems of Africa are addressed and resolved." That is why we chose the timing of the dawn of the 21st century for Prime Minister Mori to make this visit to Africa.

   Throughout the speech Prime Minister Mori reiterates Japan's unwavering commitment to Africa. In that connection, there are two wheels of cooperation, one on development per se focusing on human security, and the other, on support for conflict prevention and refugee problems. At the same time, Prime Minister Mori mentions the importance of self-help efforts by the African countries themselves.

   There are several ideas presented in this important speech. The first is our intention to hold a TICAD III meeting in the future. As a process for preparing for that meeting, we propose holding a ministerial level meeting on African development in Tokyo later this year in December. Also, we think that it is important in the context of South-South cooperation to hold a conference of Asian and African eminent persons, to be composed of top-level intellectual leaders from the two continents.

   The speech also covered another follow-up to the Japanese initiative launched in Okinawa on infectious diseases where Japan intends to render US$3 billion over the next five years in aid in this area. How much goes to which country has still to be worked out, but in that connection, a high-level study mission will be sent to the relevant countries in Africa early this year. We also hope to send a high-level study mission at the earliest opportunity to confer with relevant countries on the information technology (IT) initiative, which is a cooperation package to be composed of private as well as official funds totaling US$15 billion over the next five years.

   The issue of heavily indebted poor countries (HIPCs) is another topic that the speech touches upon. As of the end of last year, 22 HIPCs were to receive debt relief. The debt relief provided by Japan will total US$3.8 billion, making Japan amongst the biggest contributors of the G8 countries.

   The issues of conflict prevention and solution are also mentioned. Japan has put a lot of emphasis on this area, including the G8 Miyazaki Initiative on Conflict Prevention. Out of the US$600 million we have disbursed to Africa over the years, US$300 million has been allocated to resolve African conflict issues.

   Another important theme is grassroots exchanges between Japan and the various countries of Africa. Prime Minister Mori underlined the importance of having some 6,000 people, over the next three years, participate in the context of Japan-African exchanges.

   The meetings in the three countries took up not only bilateral and regional issues, but also UN affairs, including the importance of Security Council reform, which was equally shared by our African partners. In that context, both in Nigeria and Kenya, the leaders made the point that Japan was legitimately qualified to become a permanent member, although in the discussions, what we emphasized was the importance of Security Council reform as a whole. Our position has been that Africa should also be represented as a permanent member in the Security Council.

   The reaction from the international press, which I am sure you here in Tokyo have noticed, has been very wide and detailed. In addition to the coverage in the three counties we visited, The New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, and the British Financial Times, as well as press coverage in the Arab Republic of Egypt, Republic of Namibia, Republic of Zambia, Republic of Mozambique, Republic of Cameroon, and also in Asia, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of India, etc was seen. On television too, for instance, CNN had a rather detailed piece on Prime Minister Mori's visit to the Kakuma refugee camp in the north of Kenya, just south of the Republic of Sudan. So we are very encouraged by the coverage of the international media, especially given the context I described to you at the outset.

   There was reference in some of the reporting that Japan was out in Africa to attain permanent membership of the Security Council. That is not true. What Japan sought was to move forward the reform of the Security Council, expanding both the permanent and non-permanent membership. However, we are encouraged that the leaders of some of the countries said that Japan was qualified to be a permanent member in the reformed Security Council.

   Prime Minister Mori also met with President Alpha Oumar Konare of the Republic of Mali, in his capacity as president of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In that meeting, Prime Minister Mori mentioned the importance of conflict prevention and paid tribute to what ECOWAS was doing in the immediate region in that endeavor.

   Prime Minister Mori made a final stop in Athens to meet with Prime Minister Konstandinos Simitis of Greece. The year 1999 happened to be the centenary year of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Greece. There were several bilateral matters raised in the meeting between the two leaders, including how to promote Japanese tourism to that country. We indicated that we will send a tourism promotion mission to Greece.

   With Greece being a member of the European Union (EU), we also discussed the importance of moving forward cooperation between Japan and the EU, and that we should cross-support each other in the various efforts that we are doing in our respective neighborhoods. Aid to the Balkans and how to help maintain the peace in that region were other issues discussed. We also agreed that the Cyprus question should be solved within the framework of the United Nations. Finally, Prime Minister Simitis supported Japan's thinking about the importance of reforming the Security Council.

   Related Information (Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori's Visit to South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Greece)
   
2. Visit to the Gulf States by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono

   Mr. Yamazaki: I would like to give a quick review of Minister for Foreign Affairs Kono's visit to the Gulf States. Foreign Minister Kono made a policy address in the State of Qatar on 9 January, which was entitled, "Toward multi-layered relations with the Gulf countries." I would like to highlight the three pillars of the speech.

   The first pillar is the promotion of dialogue amongst civilizations with the world of Islam. As you know, Foreign Minister Kono established a study group last year, which took about six months to study Islamic culture and civilization, and the group presented Foreign Minister Kono with a report in December. In the speech, Foreign Minister Kono mentions the importance of establishing networks among intellectuals and hopes to see such networks develop. The second pillar is on the development side; water resources were mentioned as a very important area. We are already conducting cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in this area and we will see how this can be further developed. The third pillar is extensive policy dialogue. It was agreed through a joint announcement with Qatar for instance that we should expand our bilateral policy dialogue covering multilateral questions as well. With the footprints of Foreign Minister Kono in the region, we hope that we can further expand our meaningful cooperation with the Gulf countries.

   Related Information (Foreign Minister Yohei Kono's Visit to Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, and Russia)
   
3. Emergency assistance for earthquake disaster relief in El Salvador

   Mr. Yamazaki: My next announcement is on the earthquake situation in El Salvador and Japan's disaster relief.

   Yesterday, 15 January, the Government of Japan decided to extend emergency assistance totaling about 77,500,000 yen, consisting of an emergency grant aid of US$500,000 dollars and emergency aid materials of about 25,000,000 yen, to the Government of El Salvador, which has sustained great damage from the earthquake. The Government of Japan also decided to dispatch a medical team of the Japan Disaster Relief Team (JDRT) to that country. The first team members left Japan last night.

   Taking into account the seriousness of the disaster and from a humanitarian point of view, the Government of Japan has decided to extend this emergency assistance. The funds from Japan to El Salvador will be used to purchase food and other emergency materials requested by the Government of El Salvador. The emergency aid materials will include tents, blankets, medical equipment, drugs, and electricity generators.

   Related Information (Japan-El Salvador Relations)
   
4. The passage of the "Law on the Establishment of Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia for the Prosecution of Crimes Committed during the Period of Kampuchea"

   Mr. Yamazaki: The Government of Japan welcomes the news that the "Law on the Establishment of Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia for the Prosecution of Crimes Committed during the Period of Kampuchea" was passed in the Senate yesterday, 15 January, following the adoption of the Law in the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia on 2 January.

   After the Law is ratified through discussion in the Constitutional Council and obtains the signature of the King, an agreement will be concluded between the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the United Nations, and the extraordinary chambers will be established. Japan hopes that the process will proceed without delay and that the trials will start soon.

   Japan has supported discussions between the Government of Cambodia and the UN over the establishment of extraordinary chambers as the need arose, under the recognition that the criminals involved in the atrocities during the period of Democratic Kampuchea should be properly punished, respecting the will of the Cambodian government and people to the fullest.

   After the final agreement is achieved between the Government of Cambodia and the UN, Japan will start seriously considering the possibility of contributions, such as providing human resources including the dispatch of a judge.

   Related Information (Japan-Cambodia Relations)
   
5. Dispatch of State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Seishiro Eto to the Republic of Palau

   Mr. Yamazaki: State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Seishiro Eto will attend the inauguration ceremony of the new President of the Republic of Palau to be held on 19 January. State Secretary Eto will be dispatched in the capacity of a special envoy.

   During his stay in Palau, State Secretary Eto will meet with President-elect Tommy Remegesau as well as Vice President Pierre Antozzi and others, as well as attend the opening ceremony of the Palau International Coral Reef Center, which was built through Japanese economic cooperation.

   Japan intends to continue maintaining excellent relations and cooperation with Palau. It is against that background that State Secretary Eto will be congratulating the new president on assuming his post.

   State Secretary Eto is in transit in Guam, and at both Guam and Peleliu in Palau he will have the opportunity to lay a wreath at the South Pacific Memorial Park.

   Related Information (Japan-Palau Relations)
   
6. Follow-up questions on the visit by Prime Minister Mori to Africa

   Q: Did Mr. Mori discuss in Nigeria any oil-related dealings or business?

   Mr. Yamazaki: That topic was not discussed to my knowledge.

   Q: All these policies regarding Sub-Sahara does it also apply to countries over the Sahara, North Africa and other parts of Africa?

   Mr. Yamazaki: I think it applies to the African continent per se. Of course, the situation of each country such as its GDP has to be taken into account vis-à-vis official development assistance (ODA), but the basic thrust is what I have described to you. On the one side there is development support and on the other conflict prevention and support for refugees. So if there is any relevancy, in whatever country located in Africa, to these two important aspects, then there is an opportunity to enter into discussions with Japan.

   Q: Local press reports said, some time ago, that Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee is coming here in the beginning of February. The two prime ministers met in Delhi in August last year. Why are they meeting again so soon within six months?

   Mr. Yamazaki: I cannot officially make any specific comment on the timing of the visit to Japan by Prime Minister Atal Vajpayee of India. However, as to the second part of the question, it should be viewed again here in the context of last August, at which time Prime Minister Vajpayee accepted the invitation from Prime Minister Mori to visit Japan at an early opportunity.

   As you know, the fiscal year ends at the end of March, whether the earliest opportunity meant within this fiscal year or after 1 April, it remains to be seen, but I think the feeling in our two countries is that Prime Minister Mori went to the region, it was the first time in ten years that a Japanese prime minister had visited, and now it will be very good if Prime Minister Vajpayee can come to Japan at the earliest opportunity. It is part of a continuing dialogue and so if Prime Minister Vajpayee comes in the timing that you mentioned, I do not think it will be strange or so soon following the last meeting.

   Related Information (Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori's Visit to South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Greece)
   
7. Follow-up questions on the visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Kono to the Gulf States

   Q: Concerning Mr. Kono's initiative, dialogue between civilizations, is it initiated to run counter to the clash of civilizations theory?

   Mr. Yamazaki: I do not think it is established to counter or as a reaction to anything. First of all, Foreign Minister Kono is genuinely interested in understanding more about Islamic civilization and culture. The other point is that the United Nations has designated this year, 2001, as a year of dialogue among civilizations. So it is in preparation for that also that Foreign Minister Kono wanted to have the study group so he could be better versed in this area.

   Q: Did he discuss security issues in the Gulf?

   Mr. Yamazaki: I do not know whether you would say security issues, but issues pertaining to Japan and the countries that Foreign Minister Kono visited, to expand the economic and cultural side. Those are more relevant. And to have a policy dialogue, a deeper policy dialogue with Qatar, for instance. I am not quite sure what you mean by security issues.

   Q: Security in the Gulf. The Gulf security.

   Mr. Yamazaki: The Arab leaders may have told Foreign Minister Kono what they thought about the situation per se, although I do not think it was an issue for debate between Foreign Minister Kono and his counterparts. I cannot confirm it at this time, but perhaps the other side wanted to inform us of the situation in general in the region perhaps.

   Related Information (Foreign Minister Yohei Kono's Visit to Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, and Russia)
   
8. Question on a meeting between Prime Minister Mori and President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation

   Q: Japan is pressing for a summit between Tokyo and Moscow. Moscow does not seem very eager for it. Can you tell us how soon Mr. Mori expects to meet Mr. Putin?

   Mr. Yamazaki: If I can, I can only answer that after Foreign Minister Kono meets with Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Ivanov in Moscow today. Let us see what the outcome of the meeting between the two foreign ministers is. I cannot prejudge the meeting at this present time.

   Q: How soon after will the meeting be?

   Mr. Yamazaki: It would be useful to have a meeting at the earliest mutually convenient time, but when that will be I just cannot say.

   Related Information (Japan-Russia Relations)
   
9. Question on the case of an official under investigation

   Q: Do you have an update about the Foreign Ministry procedures regarding the official who was accused of dealing some money?

   Mr. Yamazaki: That matter is still under investigation and I cannot say anything beyond that at this present time.

10. Final impressions from the Press Secretary

    Mr. Yamazaki: If you have exhausted your questions I would just like to make some final impressions, this being my final press conference in this capacity, because I will receive instructions to be stationed abroad at the end of this month. I wanted to thank you all for coming to the press conference and also give you one or two things that come to my mind as I wrap up this office.

    Obviously, what I always had in mind was how to communicate with the international press here in Tokyo. And the message that I wanted to communicate was how to present Japan's active and constructive role in the world, whether it be ODA or humanitarian assistance, peacekeeping operations (PKO), this most recent trip to Africa or policy dialogues with the Gulf States, etc.

    Last year, during my twelve month tenure, was extremely busy, because as you all know we hosted the G8 Kyushu-Okinawa Summit, and even before that, after the unfortunate passing away of former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, Prime Minister Mori, including this most recent trip in January, has now traveled eight times abroad in his nine-month tenure. I accompanied Prime Minister Mori on each of the trips as his spokesperson and tried to communicate with the international press in the various countries to which he traveled.

    Here in Tokyo it is always very difficult to "sell" foreign affairs news. If I may say so very candidly, journalists tend to write news with the perception that bad news is news. In our case, we have been trying to present to you good news or interesting news or significant news, but obviously it is very difficult to get you to write it. As I was just saying a few minutes ago, in this recent Africa trip, we were very encouraged with the wide media coverage which was fairly favorable.

    The Internet website has played an increasing role, because those who can or do not attend the press conferences, whether they be journalists or members of the diplomatic corps, can always log on to the Internet. Last year, 2000, the English language Internet homepage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which centers more on foreign policy and my press conferences, among others, registered 40 million hits, a hit counting the opening of one page. For my own press conference nearly half a million hits were registered. We have another homepage called Japan Information Network (JIN), which carries everyday information about Japan, and that registered 92 million hits over the last year.

    A second area, which again relates to my office, is that we have been trying to expand our contacts with civil society, especially nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). A few months ago, as I announced at a press conference, we established an NGO Liaison Center within my office, which handles enquiries from Japanese and international NGOs. If they want to get in touch with the relevant offices within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whether it be economic assistance, humanitarian assistance, or travel to various countries or whatever information they want, we are in a position to guide them and have them contact their various counterparts within the Ministry. We hope that by reaching out to civil society directly, as well as through the mass media, we will help Japan discharge its very important role in the international community.

    With that let me close, and I hope that if and when my new posting is announced toward the end of the month, you may have the opportunity to come and visit me. I will certainly look at the future press conferences by my successor on the Internet. I am sure my successor will do a good job in communicating with you.