Press Conference 6 February 2004

1. Accession by Libya to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)
2. Upcoming Third Japan-Palestinian Ministerial Political Consultation Meeting in Tokyo
3. Question concerning upcoming six-party talks
4. Question concerning a mission dispatched from Japan to ASEAN countries to promote the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

1. Accession by Libya to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)

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

   First, the Government of Japan welcomes that Libya's accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) came into force on 5 February. The Government of Japan acknowledges that the entry into force of the CWC with Libya is significant in promoting Libya's reintegration into the international community and the disarmament and non-proliferation of the weapons of mass destruction.

   Japan expects that Libya will sincerely fulfill the CWC obligations prohibiting the development and production of chemical weapons and stipulating the destruction of those already in existence. Taking this opportunity, Japan urges North Korea and other non-states parties to the CWC to promptly accede to the CWC.

   Related Information (Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Entry into Force of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) for Libya)
   
2. Upcoming Third Japan-Palestinian Ministerial Political Consultation Meeting in Tokyo

   Mr. Takashima: The second announcement is about the Japan-Palestinian talks. The Third Japan-Palestinian Ministerial Political Consultation Meeting will be held in Tokyo on 12 February. To participate in this meeting and to have talks with Japanese leaders, Dr. Nabeel Shaath, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian Authority, Dr. Salam Fayad, Minister of Finance, Dr. Jawad Tibi, Minister of Health, and others will visit Japan from 11-14 February.

   This political meeting will be participated on the Japanese side by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi and Dr. Tatsuro Arima, Special Envoy for Peace in the Middle East and others. They will discuss such issues as the Palestinian Track of the Middle East peace process, future efforts for the peace process, and Japan's assistance to the Palestinians.

   Related Information (Visit to Japan by Ministers of the Palestinian Authority including Dr. Nabeel Shaath, Minister of Foreign Affairs)
   
3. Question concerning upcoming six-party talks

   Q: I would like to ask you about the six-party talks that are planned for 25 February. According to a report I read yesterday, the People's Republic of China has said that it would not like Japan to bring up the kidnapping issue during the talks. I was wondering if you could comment on this.

   Mr. Takashima: The Japanese basic position is that to resolve the issues on North Korea, there should be a comprehensive solution not only limited to the nuclear issues, but also the other issues involved including the abduction issue and missiles. Without having this comprehensive solution, Japan cannot normalize the relations with North Korea, and therefore, Japan cannot offer any sort of economic assistance to North Korea.

   This Japanese position is known to North Korea and was also presented at the first round of the six-party talks held August 2003. Japan wishes to present this kind of view at the second round of talks.

   At the same time, Japan is keen to have direct talks with the North Koreans on the issues including abduction so that the outstanding issues between North Korea and Japan will be promptly resolved.

   Q: So regardless of what China says, Japan will bring up these issues?

   Mr. Takashima: My understanding is that our basic position has always been known by the other parties involved, including China.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
   
4. Question concerning a mission dispatched from Japan to ASEAN countries to promote the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

   Q: One other area I would like to ask about is that I heard that you and other ministries will be sending governmental officials to Southeast Asia in a couple of days to discuss security control. I was wondering if you could elaborate on this matter.

   Mr. Takashima: This is not to discuss security matters in general, but rather it is intended to have discussions on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and related technology and materials.

   The Government of Japan is dispatching a mission composed of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Defense Agency, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Maritime Safety Agency to all Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries as a part of the efforts by Japan to promote the international effort of the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and its delivery systems including ballistic missiles and related technologies.

   This is also a follow-up of the special summit meeting between Japan and ASEAN countries held in December 2003 in Tokyo and also the Asian non-proliferation conference held in November 2003, which was participated by the director-generals in charge of this issue from all ASEAN countries as well as Australia and the United States.

   Q: Is there anything going on specifically with the Republic of Singapore in this matter?

   Mr. Takashima: Singapore is one of the leading nations in Southeast Asia in the effort to stop the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Singapore is also a leading nation in the promotion of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). The mission that I talked about will be visiting Singapore, Malaysia, the Republic of Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam from 23-28 February, and the other six nations of ASEAN will be visited by the mission from 9-16 February.

   Related Information (Japan-ASEAN Relations)
   Related Information (Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation)