Press Conference 29 June 2001

1. Statement on the transfer of former President Slobodan Milosevic of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY)
2. Statement on the situation in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
3. Emergency assistance for the Constituent Assembly elections in East Timor
4. Questions in relation to an alleged assault in Okinawa
5. Questions on North Korean families seeking asylum
6. Question on the case of former President Alberto Fujimori of the Republic of Peru
7. Question concerning personnel management at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
8. Questions in relation to discussions between Japan and the People's Republic of China on trade issues
9. Question on the schedule of Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Tanaka

1. Statement on the transfer of former President Slobodan Milosevic of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY)

   Deputy Press Secretary Chikahito Harada: Good afternoon. I have three announcements to start with today. First, a statement on the transfer of former President Slobodan Milosevic of the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

   Japan welcomes the fact that former President Milosevic of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was transferred as a war criminal to the ICTY on 29 June.

   Japan highly values the transfer of former President Milosevic to the ICTY, which reflects the firm commitment of the Yugoslav authorities to respect United Nations resolutions as well as to advance their cooperation with the international community.

   Reaffirming its support for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Japan strongly calls on the Yugoslav Government to respect United Nations resolutions as well as concentrate its efforts on promoting further cooperation with the international community, thereby contributing to the stability of the region.

   Related Information (Japan-Serbia and Montenegro Relations)
   
2. Statement on the situation in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

   Mr. Harada: Japan welcomes the withdrawal of several hundred ethnic Albanians extremists from the village of Aracinvo near Skopje on 25 June, which marks progress toward a cease-fire and a peaceful solution of the conflict in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

   On the other hand, sporadic fighting is still going on in Tetovo and other areas where violent protests were seen recently. Such violence can neither solve the problem nor gain the support of the international community and will achieve nothing in the end. Japan urges all parties concerned to abandon violence and resolve the conflict by political dialogue between political parties, thereby attaining inter-ethnic harmony through peaceful means.

   Related Information (Japan-Macedonia Relations)
   
3. Emergency assistance for the Constituent Assembly elections in East Timor

   Mr. Harada: My final announcement is on emergency assistance for the Constituent Assembly elections in East Timor.

   Today, 29 June, the Government of Japan decided to extend emergency assistance (grant aid) of US$1,191,000, through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to assist the fair and smooth implementation of the Constituent Assembly elections in East Timor to be held on 30 August this year.

   The emergency assistance will be extended for such activities as the coordination of the international electoral observers, training of East Timorese electoral managers, information and communication technology support to improve the accuracy of voter registration, the implementation of civilian education, as well as providing equipment for the Independent Election Commission (IEC), which is the electoral authority for the upcoming elections. It is expected that this emergency assistance will contribute not only to the success of the elections but also to greatly fostering East Timorese competence, taking into account the implementation of other elections in the future.

   Following the invitation of the United Nations, the Government of Japan made an announcement on 26 June that it would make the necessary preparations to dispatch electoral observers, based on the International Peace Cooperation Law, most likely from the end of August to the beginning to September.

   Related Information (Timor-Leste Situation (Archives))
   
4. Questions in relation to an alleged assault in Okinawa

   Q: May I ask you questions on three issues? First, I would like to start on the issue in Okinawa, in Chatan-cho. It seems that a Japanese woman was sexually assaulted by men believed to be US soldiers. At this point, could you please tell us the Japanese Government's stance on this?

   Mr. Harada: I can confirm that there was a case involving a lady and some foreigners, but at this stage an investigation is underway in Okinawa so I have to refrain from making a concrete comment.

   Q: This was just before Mr. Koizumi departed for the United States. If any facts are confirmed by the time of the summit meeting between Mr. Koizumi and Mr. Bush, will the issue be discussed in their discussions?

   Mr. Harada: I am not so sure whether we can get results of the investigation by the time of the Japan-US summit meeting. I do not know whether Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will take up this concrete case, but I am sure that among the issues he is considering raising are issues related to US forces in Japan, including those in Okinawa.

   Q: Lastly about the Okinawa issue, if possible, may I ask what sort of methods the Japanese Government is taking to investigate the case? For instance, whether it is the Japanese Government, or the U.S. military, that will confirm the identity of the foreigners that were allegedly involved?

   Mr. Harada: As far as I know, the Okinawa Prefectural Police is investigating the case. Of course, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs might make some approach to the U.S. forces in Japan, if necessary.

   Related Information (Japan-The United States Relations)
   
5. Questions on North Korean families seeking asylum

   Q: On the second issue, that is, about the North Korean families that are seeking political asylum, asking for protection at the UNHCR office in Beijing. They left Beijing today and it seems that they are heading to Thailand, or they are already in Thailand, and then they will head to the Republic of Korea to seek political asylum. Could you please tell us how much information the Japanese Government has on this? And also, what is the Japanese Government's stance on this?

   Mr. Harada: We are aware of the media reports related to the case that you just mentioned. We know that the people in question have already left Beijing. However, since this is a matter in which Japan is not directly involved, and as we have not had detailed information on this case, I do not think that the Japanese Government is in a position to make a concrete comment. But at the same time we are following this situation from a humanitarian viewpoint.

   Q: Can you explain the position on this? I mean, after the Japanese Government confirms the facts, will it come to some sort of critical position? If so, will it have some impact on discussions between Japan and North Korea?

   Mr. Harada: I do not think that the Japanese Government is an appropriate party to comment on this situation, because this is a matter concerning North Korea, the People's Republic of China, and possibly, the Republic of Korea. At this moment, I do not think that there is any requirement for the Japanese Government to make any comment on this case, but, as I said, we are following this situation from a humanitarian viewpoint.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
   
6. Question on the case of former President Alberto Fujimori of the Republic of Peru

   Q: My last question is in relation to the case of former Peruvian President Fujimori. The so-called former Peruvian spy-chief Montesinos was captured in Caracas this week, and also Mr. Toledo, the president-elect, made an announcement in which he claimed that he would formally request the Japanese Government to extradite Mr. Fujimori, once he assumes the presidency. Is there any change in the position of the Japanese Government following this, with regards to the treatment of Mr. Fujimori?

   Mr. Harada: Well, we have repeatedly explained our position on extradition with respect to the case of former President Alberto Fujimori of the Republic of Peru, that is, we will deal with such a request in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations. Our position on this issue has not changed.

   Q: Thank you very much.

   Related Information (Japan-Peru Relations)
   
7. Question concerning personnel management at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

   Q: Foreign Minister Tanaka has indicated that she wants to approve all personnel decisions in the Ministry, including lower-ranking ones that normally do not go through for the Minister's approval. What is your reaction to this?

   Mr. Harada: I am aware of media reports claiming Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Tanaka said that she wants to approve all personnel transfers. But actually, I have not asked her if that is true or not, and so I cannot make a comment on that. At the same time, since Foreign Minister Tanaka is the Minister, I think she has a legitimate right, or authority, to approve personnel transfers or other such matters that she is interested in.

   Q: Some people, including the Chief Cabinet Secretary, have expressed concern that such action might cause delays in some decisions, and that in turn might influence the work that the Ministry is doing. How do you feel about that?

   Mr. Harada: I think that Foreign Minister Tanaka will, of course, take into account that such personnel changes, or transfers, should not bring about any problems in terms of the work of the Ministry. I do not think Foreign Minister Tanaka intends to cause problems in terms of our work.

8. Questions in relation to discussions between Japan and the People's Republic of China on trade issues

   Q: On a different subject, I believe Japan and China will be discussing trade issues, next week. Do you know if there have been any final schedules on that? When and where the meetings will take place?

   Mr. Harada: At the last press conference I informed you that we had requested the Chinese side that we hold consultations on the measures that the Government of the People's Republic of China decided to take. The Chinese side has indicated that it would agree to hold such consultations provided that the issues of the import tariffs, which were imposed by the Chinese side, and the safeguard measures, which we implemented, are dealt with in parallel. We are now consulting with the Chinese side on a specific date and agenda for these discussions. We have not yet come to any conclusions.

   Q: Are they going to be held in Tokyo or in Beijing? Do you know?

   Mr. Harada: I believe we are also consulting on a venue.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
   
9. Question on the schedule of Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Tanaka

   Q: What are the prospects for a visit to Europe by Foreign Minister Tanaka before the G8 Foreign Ministers' Meeting? Do you have any information about that?

   Mr. Harada: One thing is clear, on 18 and 19 July, the G8 Foreign Ministers' Meeting will be held in Rome and I am sure that Foreign Minister Tanaka will attend that important meeting. Whether Foreign Minister Tanaka makes any additional visits to other countries is a question that is now under consideration, but no decision has yet been reached. Foreign Minister Tanaka herself also mentioned that this morning.