Press Conference 7 October 2003

1. Visit to Japan by President Boris Trajkovski of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
2. Question concerning Japanese assistance to Iraq
3. Question concerning Joint Declaration on the Promotion of Tripartite Cooperation among Japan, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Korea
4. Question concerning possible upcoming visit to Japan by President George W. Bush of the United States of America

1. Visit to Japan by President Boris Trajkovski of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

   Press Secretary Hatsuhisa Takashima: Good afternoon and thank you very much for coming to this briefing. Today I have one announcement I would like to make.

   The President of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Boris Trajkovski, and his wife arrived in Tokyo this morning for a four-day visit to Japan. This is the first visit of the President of Macedonia since its independence 12 years ago.

   President Trajkovski will hold a meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi this evening and attend the signing ceremony of the Japanese official development assistance (ODA) to Macedonia, that is a yen credit equivalent to US$88 million for the water project in the Zletovica area.

   The President and Mrs. Trajkovski will pay a visit to Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan tomorrow.

   Related Information (Japan-Macedonia Relations)
   
2. Question concerning Japanese assistance to Iraq

   Q: I have a question on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq and Japan's possible assistance in that respect. The Republic of Korea has been under pressure from the United States of America to increase their financial assistance as well as personnel contribution. Compared to the approach taken by the Republic of Korea, what is Japan doing?

   Mr. Takashima: The Government of Japan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance as well as the Prime Minister's Office are considering the financial assistance to Iraq for reconstruction and rehabilitation after receiving the figures from the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on 2 October at the vice-ministerial meeting held in Madrid, Kingdom of Spain.

   Although there have been some press reports on the amount of Japanese assistance, those figures are mere speculation and the Government of Japan has not decided any amount nor the terms and conditions of Japan's financial assistance.

   In regard to the dispatch of Self-Defense Forces (SDF), the Government of Japan is waiting for the report to be submitted by the fact-finding team which has been in the area since 14 September to make a decision on the possible dispatch of the SDF. The members of the team are expected to return to Japan on 9 October and after receiving their report, the Government will decide when, how and what the size of the SDF to be dispatched will be. However, until then, nothing has been decided.

   Q: The Republic of Korea has already sent some troops but it looks like they are looking for real fighting troops?

   Mr. Takashima: Prime Minister Koizumi is meeting with President Roh Moo-hyun of the Republic of Korea on the island of Bali while he is there. Certainly, assistance to and the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq will be one of the subjects to be discussed between the two leaders.

   Related Information (The Issue of Iraq)
   
3. Question concerning Joint Declaration on the Promotion of Tripartite Cooperation among Japan, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Korea

   Q: I am told that Prime Minister Koizumi is having a summit meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and President Roh Moo-hyun of the Republic of Korea and they announced some joint declaration. Could you give us more details on the contents of the declaration?

   Mr. Takashima: Following a trilateral summit meeting on the occasion of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)+3 Summit in Bali, Republic of Indonesia, the Joint Declaration on the Promotion of Tripartite Cooperation among Japan, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Korea has been released after the signing ceremony today. The text of the declaration is available from the Press Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

   In this declaration, the leaders of the three nations made it very clear that the three nations would cooperate with each other to promote peace and prosperity in the region and on various issues including denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the environment, and information and communication technology (ICT).

   Through this declaration, the leaders of the three nations declared that they would step up the cooperation between the three countries and members of ASEAN.

   Q: Was there any mention on Taiwan at all?

   Mr. Takashima: Not to my knowledge.

   Q: What is the significance of announcing such a joint declaration at this event?

   Mr. Takashima: The reason for issuing this joint declaration is that the three countries have been having informal summit meetings since 1999, and this is the fifth informal summit meeting of these three nations. The leaders therefore thought that it would be an appropriate occasion to make this kind of declaration informing people in the region and in their own countries that tripartite cooperation will be advanced and strengthened and serve for the betterment of peace, stability and prosperity throughout the region.

   Related Information (Joint Declaration on the Promotion of Tripartite Cooperation among, Japan, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Korea)
   
4. Question concerning possible upcoming visit to Japan by President George W. Bush of the United States of America

   Q: I understand that President George W. Bush of the United States of America is supposed to come to Japan on 17 October. Is that correct?

   Mr. Takashima: We have not received any official announcement from the American side, but we understand that the President plans to come to Japan.

   Q: If he is to come, Japan must surely already have some kind of agenda?

   Mr. Takashima: Our understanding is that this will be another informal exchange of views between President Bush and Prime Minister Koizumi, if it is to materialize. During the course of discussion, we hope that they will further deepen their mutual understanding and certainly expect them to discuss various issues including the Iraq issue and the North Korean situation.

   Related Information (Japan-The United States Relations)