Press Conference 29 March 2002

1. Visit to Japan of President Romano Prodi of the European Commission
2. Dispatch of an electoral observer mission for the presidential election in East Timor
3. Statement on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
4. Cancellation of a meeting between Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Chikara Sakaguchi and North Korean officials
5. Developments in the situation in the Middle East
6. Meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi and Mr. Abu Ala, Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC)

1. Visit to Japan of President Romano Prodi of the European Commission

   Deputy Press Secretary Joji Hisaeda: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have three announcements to make today. My first announcement is on the visit to Japan of President Romano Prodi of the European Commission.

   President Romano Prodi of the European Commission, accompanied by a suite, will pay an official working visit to Japan from 25 to 27 April.

   During his stay in Japan, President Prodi will be received in audience by His Majesty The Emperor of Japan.

   In addition, President Prodi will hold a meeting with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, and the Prime Minister will hold a dinner in honor of the President.

   The Government of Japan sincerely welcomes the visit of President Prodi, which will further strengthen the friendly relations existing between Japan and the European Union.

   Related Information (Visit to Japan of His Excellency Mr. Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission)
   
2. Dispatch of an electoral observer mission for the presidential election in East Timor

   Mr. Hisaeda: My second announcement concerns the dispatch of an electoral observer mission for the presidential election to be held in East Timor.

   On 29 March the Government of Japan decided to dispatch an electoral observer mission from early April to mid April to assist with the fair implementation of the presidential election in East Timor on 14 April

   Under the policy of extending the utmost cooperation for East Timor's independence and nation-building, the Government of Japan has provided various forms of assistance. A Self-Defense Force Engineer Unit has already been dispatched, in accordance with the International Peace Cooperation Law. The decision to dispatch the electoral observer mission is also based on this policy, and preparations have been made in accordance with the statement made by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda on 27 February.

   This is Japan's second dispatch of an electoral observer mission to East Timor, following that for constituent elections, and the ninth dispatch of an electoral observer mission under the International Peace Cooperation Law.

   Related Information (Timor-Leste Situation (Archives))
   
3. Statement on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina

   Mr. Hisaeda: My last announcement today is on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

   The Government of Japan welcomes the fact that on 27 March the main political parties of Bosnia and Herzegovina reached an agreement to amend the constitutions of the two entities (the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Srpska), in order to ensure that the three main ethnic groups are treated equally, as it will lead to democratization and progress in the reform of the country.

   Japan hopes that the amendment of the constitutions of the two entities will be carried out without delay, in accordance with the agreement, and calls on the political leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina who have not participated in the agreement to cooperate for the amendment of the constitutions, based on the agreement.

   Japan will continue to contribute to the implementation of peace in the country and cooperate for the stability and prosperity of Southeastern Europe, in concert with the international community, based upon the recognition that the stability and prosperity of Bosnia and Herzegovina are indispensable for the region as a whole.

   Related Information (Japan-Bosnia and Herzegovina Relations)
   
4. Cancellation of a meeting between Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Chikara Sakaguchi and North Korean officials

   Q: This morning, North Korea cancelled a planned meeting with Health Minister Sakaguchi in Singapore tomorrow. What is the Foreign Ministry's reaction to this decision?

   Mr. Hisaeda: We know that the North Korean side cancelled the meeting because they had not done much preparation for the meeting. We have no further information as to if, or when, this meeting will be rescheduled.

   The meeting was to take place in order to exchange informal views concerning the issue of supporting A-bomb victims residing in North Korea. So, we do not expect that the cancellation of the meeting will have an influence on the relationship between Japan and North Korea.

   We will make every effort for the progress of the normalization of relations between Japan and North Korea. We will deal with this issue persistently. There is no change in our position.

   Q: You said there was no change in your position, and I understand that, but do you think this cancellation might at all affect the Red Cross meetings between Japan and North Korea that may take place in April?

   Mr. Hisaeda: We do not expect that this cancellation will affect the meetings between the Japanese Red Cross Society and the North Korean Red Cross Society.

   Q: Do you think that the cancellation is related to the fact that both Health Minister Sakaguchi and Foreign Minister Kawaguchi have referred to the abduction issue, that Japan may raise that issue in the talks to take place in Singapore? Do you think that is one of the reasons behind North Korea's decision on this cancellation?

   Mr. Hisaeda: I do not want to speculate on that. As I said, the reasoning given by the North Korean side was simply that there was not enough preparation for the meeting.

   Q: Do you think that is reasonable enough?

   Mr. Hisaeda: I do not know.

   Q: Do you think it would have been appropriate to take up the issue of abduction during the informal ministerial talks?

   Mr. Hisaeda: I cannot answer such a speculative question.

   Q: But both Foreign Minister Kawaguchi and Health Minister Sakaguchi said that they would mention the issue during the talks.

   Mr. Hisaeda: Whenever necessary and appropriate we will do our utmost to resolve the issue, but I cannot comment on the cancelled meeting and whether we should have raised such a question because it is a hypothetical situation.

   I would like to draw your attention to the fact that Prime Minister Koizumi, during his recent visit to the Republic of Korea, made a statement after the summit meeting with President Kim Dae-Jung that he could not accelerate negotiations with the North Korean side and extend food aid, for instance, while putting aside such an important issue as the alleged abduction cases.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
   
5. Developments in the situation in the Middle East

   Q: Do you have any comment about the Arab summit decision last night in relation to the Saudi peace proposal? What about Israel? All of the states in the world welcome this decision, but, the other side, Israel, is refusing it. Is there any comment from the Japanese Government?

   Mr. Hisaeda: The Government of Japan welcomes the fact that the Arab leaders endorsed, by consensus, the Saudi peace plan. Japan sincerely hopes that further steps are taken to put an end to the vicious circle of violence and to bring about permanent and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

   At the same time, the Government of Japan is deeply disturbed by the terrorist suicide attack in a hotel in Netanya, Israel, on the night of 27 March, which caused many fatalities and injuries among innocent civilians. Japan expresses its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and heartfelt sympathy to the injured.

   Japan resolutely condemns such an act of terrorism aimed at any innocent civilians. It must not be allowed that extremists justify their acts of terrorism at the sacrifice of lives of innocent people and trample on efforts for peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians, including those by General Zini, for achieving a ceasefire between both parties.

   Japan once again urges Chairman Arafat and the Palestinian Authority to exert maximum efforts to crack down on extremists. Japan also calls upon the Palestinians with sense that these acts of terrorism do not contribute at all to the benefit and the better future of the Palestinians.

   Q: The other side is refusing this decision. The Palestinians are accepting it. What is your view on that situation?

   Mr. Hisaeda: At this stage I cannot confirm whether the Israelis have made a final decision to reject this idea, and so I cannot comment on your question. However, as I said, we strongly hope that both sides exert the utmost self-restraint to put an end to the bloodshed in the region and take the necessary efforts to bring about a genuine peace in the region.

   Related Information (Japan-Middle East Relations)
   
6. Meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi and Mr. Abu Ala, Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC)

   Q: There is a meeting today between Foreign Minister Kawaguchi and Abu Ala. I believe he will be delivering a message.

   Mr. Hisaeda: Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi is planning to see Mr. Abu Ala, Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), this afternoon. If you are interested in the contents of the meeting, please contact the International Press Division after 18:00 this evening.

   Related Information (Japan-Palestinian Authorities Relations)