Press Conference 5 November 2004

1. Visit to Japan by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of the People's Republic of Algeria
2. Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations on the presidential election in Afghanistan
3. Visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura to the Republic of Korea
4. Question concerning resumption of Six-Party Talks on North Korea
5. Question concerning court-martial sentence of Mr. Charles Jenkins

1. Visit to Japan by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of the People's Republic of Algeria

   Press Secretary Hatsuhisa Takashima: Good afternoon and thank you very much for coming to the briefing. Today, I would like to make three announcements before I take questions.

   The first announcement is about the visit to Japan by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of the People's Republic of Algeria.

   President Bouteflika will pay an official working visit to Japan from 5 to 8 December. During his stay, he will make a State Call on His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. His Majesty the Emperor will host a court luncheon in honor of the president.

   President Bouteflika plans to hold a meeting with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi who is scheduled to host a dinner in his honor. The Government of Japan sincerely welcomes the visit of the president which will further strengthen the friendly relations between our two countries

   Related Information (Japan-Algeria Relations)
   
2. Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations on the presidential election in Afghanistan

   Mr. Takashima: The second announcement is on the result of the election in Afghanistan.

   The Government of Japan today issued the Statement by the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the election of Mr. Hamid Karzai, President of the Transitional Administration of Afghanistan, in the presidential election, in which is stated as follows:

   On 3 November, the Joint Electoral Management Body in Afghanistan announced the result of the presidential election held in the country, and Japan welcomes the news that Mr. Karzai, President of the Transitional Administration of Afghanistan, was elected as the new president in the national referendum held for the first time in Afghanistan since it was founded.

   This presidential election marks an important milestone in the political process of Afghanistan since the Bonn Agreement in December 2001. The fact that the voting took place without major disruption of public order leading to the announcement of the result should be considered a fruit of the aspiration and endeavor of the people of Afghanistan for nation building and also of the assistance from the international community that supported them. Japan would like to pay tribute to all the efforts made by those concerned, including the staff of the electoral management body, to conduct the election successfully with the participation of many candidates and voters.

   The peace and reconstruction process in Afghanistan is still only half done. Japan hopes that the efforts for peace and reconstruction, including the preparations for the assembly election to be held in spring next year will continue steadily under the leadership of the new president. Japan intends to continue making utmost efforts to support and cooperate with the Government of Afghanistan in all fields as it tackles matters such as the political process, security sector, including the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) of ex-combatants, humanitarian aid and reconstruction.

   Related Information (Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Election of Mr. Hamid Karzai, President of the Transitional Administration of Afghanistan, in the Presidential Election)
   
3. Visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura to the Republic of Korea

   Mr. Takashima: The third announcement is about the visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK) by Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura.

   Foreign Minister Machimura will visit the Republic of Korea from 5 to 7 November.

   During his stay in the ROK, he will have foreign ministerial talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ban Ki-Moon of the Republic of Korea to exchange views on measures to further develop Japan-ROK relations and to reconfirm the close cooperation between our two countries on the policy regarding North Korea, based on the recent situation regarding North Korea.

   Foreign Minister Machimura will pay a courtesy call on President Roh Moo Hyun of the Republic of Korea.

   Related Information (Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura to Visit the Republic of Korea)
   
4. Question concerning resumption of Six-Party Talks on North Korea

   Q: I would like to ask about the resumption of the Six-Party Talks on the North Korea issues. President George W. Bush of the United States of America was reelected in the US election. How does the Government of Japan believe that the result could affect the ongoing efforts among the relevant countries to resume the talks as soon as possible?

   Mr. Takashima: It is apparent that the North Korean side waited for the result of the presidential election in the United States. The election is now over and President Bush was reelected. We urge North Korea to come back to the negotiating table, which is overdue because it was originally scheduled for September. We believe that North Korea should come back to the negotiating table, and we will discuss this issue with the Republic of Korea when Foreign Minister Machimura visits Seoul today.

   Moreover, Foreign Minister Machimura and US Secretary of State Colin Powell agreed on the necessity of holding these talks as soon as possible, in particular immediately after the US presidential election. Therefore, we hope that all parties concerned will work toward the early resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations Six-Party Talks on North Korean Issues)
   
5. Question concerning court-martial sentence of Mr. Charles Jenkins

   Q: In the case of Mr. Charles Jenkins, he was given a 30-day confinement at Wednesday's court-martial. I was wondering if the Japanese Government has any comment on the result and especially how the sentence could affect the efforts of the Government to settle the abduction talks?

   Mr. Takashima: We welcome that the Jenkins case has been settled in such a manner that would satisfy everybody, including Mrs. Soga and Mr. Jenkins. The Government of Japan wishes to express its appreciation for the effort of the US Government and the US Forces to realize the early settlement of this case with a lightest possible sentence.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)