Press Conference 16 March 2001

1. Announcement on emergency aid for the earthquake disaster in the Republic of India
2. Emergency aid for returned refugees in Rwanda
3. Contribution to the Organization of American States (OAS) to support the presidential and parliamentary elections in the Republic of Peru
4. Questions on Japan's response to the Taliban's destruction of statues
5. Question on the meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono and Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdul Sattar of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
6. Question on the possibility of a joint statement by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and President George W. Bush of the United States of America
7. Questions concerning the state of the Japanese economy

1. Announcement on emergency aid for the earthquake disaster in the Republic of India

   Deputy Press Secretary Chikahito Harada: Good afternoon. I have three announcements to make today.

   My first announcement is on emergency aid for the earthquake disaster in the Republic of India.

   So far, the Government of Japan has provided more than 416 million yen in emergency aid to help the victims of the earthquake disaster in India, and has also dispatched Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) teams and a mission to assist the needs of experts assisting in rehabilitation and reconstruction activities.

   In addition, today, 16 March, the Government of Japan decided to extend emergency grant assistance of up to approximately 228,100,000 yen to support Japanese nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) conducting relief activities for the victims of the earthquake. The aid is being extended in response to requests from six Japanese NGOs that are supplying support services, including medical treatment and the distribution of food and basic needs.

   Related Information (Earthquake in India)
   
2. Emergency aid for returned refugees in Rwanda

   Mr. Harada: My second announcement is on emergency aid for returning refugees in Rwanda.

   Today, the Government of Japan decided to extend emergency aid of US$1,637,000, about 171,800,000 yen, to the Trust Fund for Rwanda of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to assist the resettlement and reintegration into society of a large number of Rwandan returning refugees, as well as the rehabilitation of the country.

   In response to the UNDP's request, the Government of Japan has decided to contribute to two projects, namely a potable water supply project and resettler's district assistance project that will be implemented in the areas of Kibungo, Umutara and Kigali.

   With this latest contribution the total of Japan's contribution, to the UNDP Trust Fund for Rwanda amounts to US$23,767,000.

   Related Information (Japan-Rwanda Relations)
   
3. Contribution to the Organization of American States (OAS) to support the presidential and parliamentary elections in the Republic of Peru

   Mr. Harada: My final announcement is on the contribution to the Organization of American States (OAS) to support the presidential and parliamentary elections in the Republic of Peru.

   The Government of Japan today decided to extend US$200,000 to the OAS, which will observe the presidential and parliamentary elections to be held in Peru on 8 April. Japan's contribution will be used to support expenditure necessary for the OAS to carry out its observation mission.

   Related Information (Japan-Peru Relations)
   
4. Questions on Japan's response to the Taliban's destruction of statues

   Q: I heard that the Taliban of Afghanistan destroyed the statues in Bamiyan, despite all the calls from the international community, and especially Japan, which took a leading role in the efforts to prevent this. So what is Japan's reaction toward this act? Are you going to take countermeasures against the Taliban?

   Mr. Harada: As you correctly mentioned, the Government of Japan has been making efforts to revoke the Taliban's edict to destroy statues. Unfortunately, we have received information that the statues in Bamiyan have been destroyed. The Government of Japan greatly regrets this event.

   At this stage we have not made any concrete decisions, but I believe that there are heritage items remaining in Afghanistan. I think we have to consider how to protect these remaining heritage items. We will continue to maintain contact with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and other countries concerned, to consult on what to do about these remaining heritage items.

   You mentioned countermeasures: At this stage I do not think we have any plans to take specific measures in response to the destruction of the statues, but let me remind you of the Security Council resolution adopted last December sanctioning the Taliban. The Government of Japan will take measures in accordance with that resolution, and we are working toward that. While that is not directly linked with the destruction of statues, it is a response to the Security Council resolution.

   Q: Do you believe that Japan might reduce the amount of aid to Afghani refugees or other human needs of the Afghani people, not of the Taliban, as a reaction to this incident?

   Mr. Harada: I do not know what aid you are referring to, because we do not provide aid directly to the so-called Taliban authorities. However, we do provide aid to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, for example, for the needs of Afghani refugees in Pakistan. Nevertheless, I do not think we should link that kind of aid to the action taken by the Taliban.

   Related Information (Japan-Afghanistan Relations)
   
5. Question on the meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono and Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdul Sattar of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

   Q: I think this was one of the topics in the talks yesterday between Mr. Kono and Mr. Sattar, the Pakistani Foreign Minister. Do you have any more information about their meeting on this issue?

   Mr. Harada: Well, it is already in the newspapers, but I can give you the gist of the discussions that took place on this issue.

   Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono said that he very much regrets the destruction of the statues by the Taliban, and he had sent a letter to the Taliban "foreign minister" asking the Taliban to refrain from such action. As there was a news report that the statues had been destroyed, Minister for Foreign Affairs Kono asked for Minister of Foreign Affairs Sattar's views on the issue.

   In response, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sattar's stated as follows: Pakistan also greatly regrets the action by the Taliban, and Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf had earlier sent a letter to the leader of the Taliban and dispatched a ministerial-level representative to Afghanistan in an attempt to stop the action, but it proved unsuccessful. The Pakistani influence on the Taliban is limited. Resources are required in order to extort influence on the Taliban, but Pakistan does not have the resources necessary, and the international community as a whole should deal with the Taliban issue.

   Related Information (Japan-Pakistan Relations)
   
6. Question on the possibility of a joint statement by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and President George W. Bush of the United States of America

   Q: Foreign Minister Kono suggested the possibility that a joint statement might be issued by Prime Minister Mori and President Bush when they meet on Monday. I was wondering if you had any information as far as the content of the statement?

   Mr. Harada: I know Foreign Minister Kono touched upon the possibility of a joint statement by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and President George W. Bush of the United States of America. He said it is possible to issue such a joint statement. At this stage I can only reiterate that it is possible. However, we have not come to any agreement with the US side on issuing a joint statement.

   Related Information (Japan-The United States Relations)
   
7. Questions concerning the state of the Japanese economy

   Q: I read a report by Kyodo today that said US State Secretary Powell made a statement that the deterioration of the Japanese economy posed a security threat to the United States. Do you have any comment on this report?

   Mr. Harada: I do not know whether your quotation is accurate or not.

   The Japanese economy is so large that the Japanese economic situation will have an impact on the Asia-Pacific region in one way or the other. Although the Japanese economy faces difficulties, we believe that it is still solid.

   Although we are still consulting with the US side on the agenda of the summit meeting between Prime Minister Mori and President Bush in Washington, given the recent economic situation of Japan and also of the United States, it is natural to assume that the two leaders will discuss economic issues. State Minister in charge of Economy and Fiscal Policy, Information Technology Taro Aso will accompany Prime Minister Mori, which demonstrates that economic issues will be amongst the important issues to be discussed by the two leaders.

   Q: Do you think ODA will be affected by the Japanese economic downturn?

   Mr. Harada: First of all, I do not want to believe that the Japanese economy will continue to decline.

   As far as Japan's overall foreign policy is concerned, official development assistance (ODA) is certainly an important instrument. In accordance with that position, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been endeavoring to prepare an appropriate ODA budget.

   The ODA draft budget, which had to be reduced by three percent compared with the current draft ODA budget, is under deliberation in the Diet session. We hope that the Government's draft budget will be approved.

   In terms of the outlook for ODA in the future, it is difficult to make any predictions, but one thing I can tell you is that given the current economic situation we have to pursue every effort to make ODA more effective and more efficient, and we will continue to make efforts toward that end.

   Related Information (Economic Affairs)