Press Conference 26 November 2002

1. Mini-Ministerial Meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to be held in Tokyo in February 2003
2. Meeting of ambassadors stationed in Middle Eastern countries to be held regarding the situation in the Republic of Iraq
3. Statement on the International Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (ICOC)
4. Statement on the attack on Hindu temples in Kashmir
5. Question concerning the meeting of ambassadors stationed in Middle Eastern countries
6. Question concerning a document concerning the abductees published under the name of "Ministry of Foreign Affairs Staff Union"
7. Question concerning on-site inspections in North Korea by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
8. Question concerning talks between Japan and the Russian Federation
9. Question concerning the upcoming Preparatory Conference on Peace and Reconstruction in Aceh

1. Mini-Ministerial Meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to be held in Tokyo in February 2003

   Press Secretary Hatsuhisa Takashima: Good afternoon, thank you very much for coming to this briefing. I have several announcements I would like to make.

   First, the Government of Japan today announced that it will hold an informal World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Meeting, known as the Mini-Ministerial Meeting, in Tokyo in around the middle of February 2003. More than 20 countries are expected to take part in this Meeting, and Japan will send an official communication to the countries concerned. This is to facilitate international mutual understanding toward the Doha Development Agenda of the WTO, and especially toward the Fifth Ministerial Conference scheduled to be held in Cancun in September 2003.

   Japan hopes that the meeting will serve as a positive step toward the solution of important problems by the direct involvement of ministers in the negotiations, as well as deepen mutual understanding between member countries and their respective positions which is necessary for an agreement.

   Related Information (Informal WTO Ministerial Meeting to be held in Tokyo)
   
2. Meeting of ambassadors stationed in Middle Eastern countries to be held regarding the situation in the Republic of Iraq

   Mr. Takashima: Another announcement I would like to make is that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to hold a meeting of Japanese ambassadors stationed in Middle Eastern countries to have consultations on the situation regarding the Republic of Iraq.

   The Government of Japan has recently dispatched three Special Envoys of the Prime Minister concerning the issue of Iraq. These Special Envoys are: former Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Nakayama, former Minister for Foreign Affairs Masahiko Koumura, and Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi. They are visiting the several countries in the Middle East region. The purpose of the dispatch of Special Envoys is to enhance solidarity of the international community, including countries in the Middle East, over the issue of Iraq. The Envoys will hold consultations on how to approach Iraq and work toward stability in the region and will exchange views on the issues of the Middle East and bilateral relations.

   Related Information (Japan-Iraq Relations)
   
3. Statement on the International Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (ICOC)

   Mr. Takashima: The next announcement I would like to make is that the Government of Japan issued today a statement under my name, the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, welcoming the International Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (ICOC), which was adopted on 25 November at the International Conference held in the Hague, the Netherlands. Although this International Code of Conduct is not a legally binding agreement but a political document, it is very significant to have this first set of rules adopted by more than 90 countries to prevent the proliferation of ballistic missiles capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction.

   Japan intends to actively engage itself in an effort to further promote the non-proliferation of ballistic missiles, which directly affects the peace and security of the East Asian region. Japan will continue its cooperation with other participating countries to further promote the cause of this International Code of Conduct against ballistic missiles and to achieve wider participation in this scheme.

   Related Information (Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the International Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (ICOC))
   
4. Statement on the attack on Hindu temples in Kashmir

   Mr. Takashima: Finally, the other announcement is about another statement issued under my name, in terms of the situation in Kashmir. The Government of Japan was deeply shocked by the news of heinous acts of indiscriminate killing that occurred at Hindu temples in Jammu on 24 November. Barbaric terrorist attacks targeting civilians can never be justified. The Government of Japan categorically condemns the incident and reaffirms its determination towards the eradication of any form of terrorism.

   The Government of Japan expresses its deep sorrow over the victims of this attack and extends sincere condolences to the bereaved families as well as the Government and the people of India.

   Related Information (Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Attack on Hindu Temples in Kashmir)
   
5. Question concerning the meeting of ambassadors stationed in Middle Eastern countries

   Q: You mentioned the meeting of the Japanese ambassadors who are dispatched to the Middle East. This is a very basic question, but in which countries are the ambassadors currently stationed?

   Mr. Takashima: All the ambassadors to the countries in the region will be meeting because Japan has embassies in every country in the Middle East region. They include the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Arab Republic of Egypt, and Syrian Arab Republic, to name a few.

   Q: Will they discuss the situation in Iraq?

   Mr. Takashima: That is the main topic of discussion.

   Related Information (Japan-Iraq Relations)
   
6. Question about a document concerning the abductees published under the name of "Ministry of Foreign Affairs Staff Union"

   Q: I heard a story about a document that had been published under the name of "Ministry of Foreign Affairs Staff Union," in which there was criticism against the official position toward the treatment of those who had been abducted by North Korea. What are the effects of this story?

   Mr. Takashima: Actually, we are aware of the existence of this document, but the person who wrote this document is already out of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs due to retirement. He is not a member of the union or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so neither party has any connection with this document. This is simply the personal view of this retired person. As such, we have no comment on that.

   Q: I think it gave people quite complicated feelings, including those in North Korea, so I hope its impact will be minimal.

7. Question concerning on-site inspections in North Korea by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

   Q: I understand that there are talks about the nuclear project and that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has proposed to North Korea to allow it to conduct on-site inspections. Do you have the latest news on this?

   Mr. Takashima: We do not have the latest news, but first, there exists an agreement between the IAEA and North Korea, which is standing. We are very hopeful that North Korea will adhere to the commitment they made with this agreement, as well as with other international agreements they have made with other bodies, including the Japan-Democratic People's Republic of Korea Pyongyang Declaration they have signed with us.

   Talking about IAEA, we do believe that IAEA's scheme for North Korea is very important for peace and security in this region. We hope that the inspections by IAEA will be reconvened immediately.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
   
8. Question concerning talks between Japan and the Russian Federation

   Q: I understand that talks between Japan and the Russian Federation are being held now at Mita Conference Hall. Do you have any information on what kind of subjects they are talking about?

   Mr. Takashima: I am sorry, I do not have any information on that. Let me look into that.

   Related Information (Japan-Russia Relations)
   
9. Question concerning the upcoming Preparatory Conference on Peace and Reconstruction in Aceh

   Q: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it will be holding a meeting to discuss the situation in Aceh in the Republic of Indonesia on 3 December. Has the place where it will be held been decided?

   Mr. Takashima: I have just been informed that it will be held in the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Training Center in Ichigaya.

   Related Information (The Preparatory Conference on Peace and Reconstruction in Aceh)