Press Conference 2 November 2001

1. Dispatch of electoral observers to Kosovo
2. Update on anti-terrorism measures
3. Questions regarding freezing of terrorist assets
4. Question on the possibility of a trilateral commission of Japan, China and the Republic of Korea
5. Question regarding the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
6. Question regarding a meeting between Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamal Kharazi of the Islamic Republic of Iran
7. Questions on travel advisory warnings

1. Dispatch of electoral observers to Kosovo

   Deputy Press Secretary Joji Hisaeda: I have a couple of announcements to make today. My first announcement concerns the dispatch of electoral observers to the Kosovo-wide elections. In accordance with the International Peace Cooperation Law, the Government of Japan has decided to dispatch six electoral observers to Kosovo from 11 November to 21 November to ensure that the Kosovo-Wide Elections to be held on 17 November are conducted in a free and fair manner.

   In September, the Council of Europe, which organizes international electoral observer groups, requested that the Government of Japan dispatch electoral observers to the Kosovo-wide elections. The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) will organize the elections, while the Council of Europe will observe the elections independently from the United Nations to ensure fairness and impartiality. The Government of Japan, under its policy to extend the utmost cooperation to the efforts of the international community to democratize and stabilize Kosovo, responded on 2 November to requests to dispatch electoral observers. The decision was made at a Cabinet meeting to conduct international peace cooperation activities in Kosovo, as well as adopting the implementation plan for the operations-related Cabinet orders based on the International Peace Cooperation Law.

2. Update on anti-terrorism measures

   Mr. Hisaeda: I would like to draw your attention to another example of our efforts in the counter-terrorism campaign: that is, the signing of the international Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. On 30 October, the Government of Japan signed the international Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism at the United Nations Headquarters, New York.

   Related Information (Counter Terrorism)
   Related Information (Japan's Measures in Response to the Terrorist Attacks in the United States)
   
3. Questions regarding terrorist assets

   Q: Presumably, Japan has not taken any concrete actions under this convention on the suppression of the financing of terrorism by the way of freezing bank or other assets related to the involvement of terrorism, has it?

   Mr. Hisaeda: First of all, you said, "under this convention"; no one has taken any measures under the convention because it has not yet entered into force. Apart from this convention, Japan has already taken measures to freeze the flow of money and capital to the Taliban and other relevant persons, into and out of Afghanistan.

   Q: When you say "taken measures," what precisely do you mean? That it has been discovered there are channels operating through Japan and those have been effectively blocked, or, simply putting into place mechanisms in case there are [channels operating]?

   Mr. Hisaeda: Actually we have done both. Regarding the mechanism, we have already taken necessary measures, including the adoption of a license system. As for the overall picture of what we have done so far, I will give you the outline. On 22 September, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1267 and 1333, the Government took measures to freeze assets and restrict money flows regarding 165 groups and individuals, including those related to the Taliban. The Government extended those measures to 23 additional groups and individuals on 12 October and to 27 further groups and individuals on 26 October. These specific groups and individuals were announced by the United Nations. In other words, Japan and like-minded countries have taken concerted measures to stop the flow of money [to certain groups and individuals].

   Related Information (Japan's Measures in Response to the Terrorist Attacks in the United States)
   
4. Question on the possibility of a trilateral commission of Japan, China and the Republic of Korea

   Q: One more question on another subject. There was a report today that Japan and China intend to inaugurate a trilateral commission to examine various issues such as trade. There will be a meeting in December of high level officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Can you give any information at all about what this group will consist of type of issues to be discussed?

   Mr. Hisaeda: I do not have any information regarding agenda items for that meeting. What I know is that the trilateral meeting will take place in Brunei at the occasion of ASEAN+3 meetings. I will check that for you anyway.

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5. Question regarding the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

   Q: I would like to turn to the problems between Foreign Affairs Minister Tanaka and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I have great difficulty understanding this problem. I would like you to imagine that I am a Japanese taxpayer and voter-one that voted for Minister Tanaka. For over six months I have read in the newspaper that you-as a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs-have been using my tax money for things it was not intended for: parties at the New Otani Hotel and things like that. So I read that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is stealing taxpayer money and I also read that the bureaucrats are not obeying the Minister who is supposed to represent me as a voter. Can you explain to me how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can misuse taxpayer money and disobey the taxpayer's representative Minister and continue as if that were a normal activity?

   Mr. Hisaeda: We regret there has been any misuse of Government funds, and we are doing the utmost to research what really happened. As soon as results become available we will make them available, but I do not think now is the time to discuss how much, or which part of the Government's funds was misused.

   As for your second question with regard to Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Tanaka, we are in a position to obey her orders. At the same time, Japan's policy is implemented in accordance with the laws and regulations of Japan. You talked about voters; of course Japan is a democratic country and we understand well that all parliamentarians are elected by the people's vote. But at the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as a national organ, is not a private organization belonging to a specific individual or an individual private citizen. I do not wish to make any further comment except to say we would like to act as civil servants in accordance with the laws and regulations, and at the same time with the understanding that we are public servants.

   Q: As a follow up, are you implying that Minister Tanaka is not following the rules?

   Mr. Hisaeda: I am not implying anything. I just made clear that public servants must abide by laws and regulations as well as the orders of the Ministers. At the same time, under the Japanese Constitution civil servants are required to serve the people of Japan.

   Q: Since you specifically said that policy should be in accordance with laws and regulations and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not belong to a private person, is Minister Tanaka not following laws and regulations, yes or no?

   Mr. Hisaeda: I know of no instance where Foreign Minister Tanaka has committed unlawful acts.

   Q: You mentioned the Ministry is in a position to obey, but Minister Tanaka is saying officials are not responding positively to her instructions or some personnel changes regarding a Director. I was wondering if you could explain why?

   Mr. Hisaeda: My understanding was the conclusion was the result of consultations with the Prime Minister's Office.

   Q: Does that mean Foreign Minister Tanaka will not be able to carry out the transfer?

   Mr. Hisaeda: I do not know whether the issue was finalized or not. I do not know where we are on that specific issue you spoke about. We are obeying instructions from both the Prime Minister's Office and Foreign Minister Tanaka.

   Q: So you mean the Prime Minister's Office and Minister Tanaka in this case have different views. Which is the priority?

   Mr. Hisaeda: I do not know exactly; I know it is a fact that the personnel change has not taken place. I can say only that we are doing our business according to laws and regulations, including the hierarchy of the system of the Government of Japan.

6. Question regarding a meeting between Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamal Kharazi of the Islamic Republic of Iran

   Q: Could you give any information about yesterday's meeting between Prime Minister Koizumi and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamal Kharazi of Iran?

   Mr. Hisaeda: Certainly. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamal Kharazi of the Islamic Republic of Iran had a meeting yesterday at the Prime Minister's Office. During the meeting Prime Minister Koizumi raised three key points. First, about terrorism, Prime Minister Koizumi said Iran is welcome in the common fight against terrorism and Japan will cooperate with Iran in this fight. Japan has no intent to use force but will contrive in areas such as refugee relief and the freezing of money flows to the Taliban. Second, Prime Minister Koizumi mentioned in the meeting that with President George W. Bush of the United States of America there was agreement that the fight is not against Islamic or Arabic countries, and Japan and the United States agreed on that point. Japan wishes to listen to the views of Iran and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and make a contribution for the reconstruction of a future Afghanistan. Third, Prime Minister Koizumi stated that it is important for the world that Iran has a better relationship with United States.

   In response, Foreign Minister Kharazi said that it seems that since President Mohammad Khatami of Iran visited Japan, the Japan-Iran relationship has been improving, especially in the area of economics. Iran from now on hopes for increased investment by Japan (in particular in the energy and industrial sectors). Regarding the fight against terrorism, Foreign Minister Kharazi said that Iran has been fighting terrorism since before the terrorist attacks on 11 September. As for Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Kharazi pointed out that there is a big problem with regard to the smuggling of narcotics into Iran, which has spent a great deal of money and expended valuable human resources to fight that activity. Furthermore, Foreign Minister Kharazi stated that the Government of Iran issued a statement to condemn terrorism soon after the terrorist attacks took place on 11 September, and Iran has taken measures to stop the Taliban from crossing into Iran.

   Foreign Minister Kharazi stated that Iran has never supported the Taliban or Osama bin Laden; however, Iran has supported groups fighting against the Taliban, including the Northern Alliance. As for Iran's relationship with the United States, Foreign Minister Kharazi said that Iran does not have a formal relationship with the United States, but it has participated in the common fight against terrorism, and Iran's position is similar to that of the United States as far as the problems regarding Afghanistan are concerned. Foreign Minister Kharazi stated that within Islamic society there are certain objections to the attack on Afghanistan, but Iran will maintain its position.

   Also, Foreign Minister Kharazi pointed out there might be a case where military operations may benefit the terrorists. Finally, Foreign Minister Kharazi said that Iran's position is that it is better to follow the leadership of the United Nations and coordinate with the international community in the fight against terrorism.

   Related Information (Japan-Iran Relations)
   
7. Questions on travel advisory warnings

   Q: I have a pigeonhole on the first floor of the Kaigai Anzen Sodan Center, in the consulting room for safe overseas travel. I receive many documents everyday, and before coming here I picked up some important ones for those traveling overseas. Now we have 100 journalists traveling in the Afghanistan and Pakistan area. This room issued a severe travel warning, level 5, that affects outbound airlines and tourists. On television everyday we witness the miserable situation of the airlines and travel agencies. Do you have any idea how to deal with these problems in future meetings?

   The other day, a woman from the New York Times asked me to take from the consulting office these types of documents-they say that the American immigration office issued a severe travel warning that Americans should not travel around. Japanese hotels and others can therefore not expect American tourist to come. This is a problem to consider for the future.

   Mr. Hisaeda: Thank you for your comments. Our travel advisory warnings are issued from a certain viewpoint, because one of the Government's most important responsibilities is to protect Japanese nationals. The Government works out its viewpoint in a slightly different manner from that of commercial interests; but at the same time the travel advisory should be accurate and responsible. The Government would like to keep that in mind always and try to issue the best possible travel advisories.

   Q: On several occasions recently United States authorities have warned US citizens to be on high alert against terrorist threats including specific locations. To the best of my knowledge no such similar alert has been issued in Japan. Does that mean that Japanese intelligence has not detected any particular threat to Japanese individuals in Japan or installations, and if such threats were detected is it the policy of the Government to issue specific warnings to the citizens of Japan that a threat is imminent?

   Mr. Hisaeda: If we have specific information that we believe should be shared with the Japanese people we will announce such information. But that might be different from the kind of alert that the Government of the United States would issue. Secondly, we have our own sources of information, but at the same time we do exchange information with our allies

   Q: What do you mean by "might be different" from the type the United States would issue?

   Mr. Hisaeda: Just that, in general, the system or government authority is different. Routine systems of the Japanese Government are different for the issue of travel advisories, alerts and that type of thing.

   Related Information (Japan's Measures in Response to the Terrorist Attacks in the United States)