Press Conference 28 May 2002

1. Tensions between the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
2. Follow-up questions on tensions between India and Pakistan
3. Questions on a visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi to the Middle East
4. Question on the incident at Consulate General of Japan at Shenyang, People's Republic of China
5. Question on a visit to Japan by Minister for Foreign Affairs Marwan Al Muasher of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

1. Tensions between the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

   Press Secretary Norio Hattori: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. If I may just at the outset make a reference to the tensions mounting over Kashmir between the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

   Japan is deeply concerned about the situation, whereby the tensions are mounting day by day between India and Pakistan, namely since the terrorist attack on 14 May on an army cantonment in Kashmir by Muslim militant forces. Ever since that terrorist attack, Japan has been making efforts in order to contribute to the easing of tensions over Kashmir.

   We have been expressing our deep regret to the Pakistani Government over its missile launch testing, and we have also been conveying our strong hope that the Pakistani Government will reign in and crack down on militant activities in Kashmir. Also, we are expressing our appreciation to the Indian side for the restraint shown by the Indian Government, and we have also been expressing our hope that the Indian Government, in response to the concerns of the international community, makes exhaustive diplomatic efforts.

   In addition, today Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Seiken Sugiura left for Pakistan. Senior Vice-Minister Sugiura will hold a dialogue with Pakistani leaders and then go to India to do the same with the Indian Government.

   Japan has been making its diplomatic efforts, together with other friendly nations, in order to contribute to the easing of the tensions in this region.

   Related Information (Japan-India Relations)
   Related Information (Japan-Pakistan Relations)
   
2. Follow-up questions on tensions between India and Pakistan

   Q: Just a clarification: You mentioned the terrorist attack by Muslim militant forces against an army base. How did you decide that they were Muslim forces?

   Mr. Hattori: I retract "Muslim."

   Q: Is Japan in a position now to think about reviewing its policy of sanctions?

   Mr. Hattori: The sanctions that we imposed in 1998 on India and Pakistan have been discontinued-they are not yet officially lifted, but discontinued. As I said, we find it quite regrettable that Pakistan has carried out the missile launch test. At this time, we are now looking at our policy toward Pakistan, but we would like to see how the situation over Kashmir develops.

   Related Information (Japan-India Relations)
   Related Information (Japan-Pakistan Relations)
   
3. Questions on a visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi to the Middle East

   Q: I would like to ask you about the possible visit by Foreign Minister Kawaguchi to Israel and Palestine.

   Mr. Hattori: Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi is actually planning to visit the Middle East, namely Israel and Palestine. I think Foreign Minister Kawaguchi hopes to visit the region sometime in June, but the details of the visit are not yet fixed.

   Q: How can Japan contribute?

   Mr. Hattori: The Japanese Foreign Minister has not visited the region for the last several years, although other dignitaries have visited. Ever since Foreign Minister Kawaguchi took office, she has been expressing her wish to visit the region personally and to try to see what more Japan can do to contribute to the resolution of the problem in the region. So, that is how Foreign Minister Kawaguchi's visit can be considered. I have to reiterate that the details of the visit have not yet been decided. We are still in the Diet session.

   Q: Foreign Minister Kawaguchi's visit to the Middle East is very important, especially in terms of the current tensions there. Can we view this as a Japanese initiative, or is it just one official going there and telling the parties "please calm down" and then leaving without any results?

   Mr. Hattori: Foreign Minister Kawaguchi has already delivered several speeches specifically addressing this problem, and she has her own ideas about how to contribute to resolving the problem. Alongside our own ideas there has been an idea about an international conference. That idea is still in circulation, and we have a strong belief that Japan should participate in such international efforts to resolve this problem. So, with those ideas on the table, our own ideas and those of others, I think a visit to the region by our Foreign Minister will lead to some more concrete ideas from our own Government about how to contribute to resolving the problem. I cannot prejudge what kind of results will be brought about by Foreign Minister Kawaguchi's visit, but we are hoping that her visit to the region will yield some more concrete and more detailed ideas.

   Related Information (Japan-Israel Relations)
   Related Information (Japan-Palestinian Authorities Relations)
   
4. Question on the incident at Consulate General of Japan at Shenyang, People's Republic of China

   Q: About the Shenyang incident, is Japan still speaking to China with regard to the convention issue?

   Mr. Hattori: There are two issues. The first of these is the question involving international law, the Vienna Convention: the Japanese Consulate General has been violated by Chinese officials. That is a fact. The second issue is a humanitarian one, which has been more or less resolved by the five North Koreans getting out of China and going to the Republic of Korea. At this point in time, however, the first issue is still there-it still remains-and our policy on this is that we are facing this issue in a resolute manner and we would like to continue to take up this issue with the Government of the People's Republic of China in a composed and resolute manner.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
   
5. Question on a visit to Japan by Minister for Foreign Affairs Marwan Al Muasher of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

   Q: I read reports that the Jordanian Foreign Minister is going to visit Japan. Do you have any information on that?

   Mr. Hattori: My staff can provide you with that information after the conference.

   Related Information (Japan-Jordan Relations)