Visit to Japan of His Excellency General Pervez Musharraf,
President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan:
Results and Summary
March 15 2002
1. Significance of the Visit
(1) Short-term: The visit represented the apex of the strengthened dialogue and cooperative relations between Japan and Pakistan, since September last year. Mid- to Long-term: The Summit Meeting on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations will form the first step for the development of relations over the next 50 years.
(2) Increased recognition of the importance of Japan-Pakistan relations: The visit has achieved the enhancement of the domestic recognition concerning the importance of Pakistan in the peace and stability of the region and the international community as a whole, and the establishment of the relations of cooperation and dialogue commensurate with their importance.
(3) Fostering personal relationships of mutual trust between the two leaders: Since September 2001, the two leaders have spoken to each other over the telephone on two occasions and this meeting has further strengthened their personal relationship of mutual trust.
2. Itinerary in Japan
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March 12 (Tue) |
Arrival in Tokyo |
|
March 13 (Wed) |
Courtesy calls by Minister of Economy,
Trade and Industry, Takeo Hiranuma, and the Secretaries General of the three
ruling coalition parties |
|
March 14 (Thu) |
Courtesy calls by Minister of State for
IT Policy, Heizo Takenaka; Courtesy calls on Chairman of the House of
Representatives Tamisuke Watanuki, and President of the House of Councillors
Yutaka Inoue |
|
March 15 (Fri) |
Visits to Edo-Tokyo Museum and Sony Media
World |
| Note: President Musharraf was accompanied on his visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdul Sattar, Minister for Commerce, Industries and Production Abdul Dawood, and Minister of Finance Shaukat Aziz, among others. On March 13 Foreign Minister Sattar had meetings with Foreign Minister Kawaguchi. |
3. Specific Achievements of the Summit Meeting
(1) Both leaders agreed on the establishment of a security dialogue, and also a dialogue on disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation. They also agreed on the implementation of high-level economic consultation and policy dialogue on economic cooperation.
(2) At the meeting, Japan announced that it would cooperate in efforts towards the democratization of Pakistan, including the dispatch of an electoral observer mission in October. The President welcomed this announcement.
(3) Prime Minister Koizumi called for further efforts to be made towards a reduction in tensions between Pakistan and India and for the reopening of dialogue. The Prime Minister also called for efforts to be made in disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation, including the signing of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and in non-proliferation of materials and technologies related to nuclear weapons.
(4) Both leaders reaffirmed that Japan and Pakistan would cooperate in assistance for the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
(5) There was a good deal of press interest and coverage of the Summit Meeting, the joint press conference and various courtesy calls.
4. Summary
(1) Bilateral relations
- The fight against terrorism and Japan-Pakistan relations
Prime Minister Koizumi welcomed President Musharraf's visit on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and expressed his respect for President Musharraf's resolve in choosing a right path in the fight against terrorism, despite immense difficulties since September 11.
President Musharraf stated that Pakistan is currently facing three challenges: Afghanistan to the West, India to the East, and, domestically, reforms to eradicate extremism and achieve economic revival. President Musharraf also stated that Pakistan had pledged to reject all forms of terrorism, and expressed hope for Japan's support and assistance to the country. - Promotion of dialogue between Japan and Pakistan
Prime Minister Koizumi proposed the establishment of Japan-Pakistan Security dialogue and Disarmament and Non-Proliferation dialogue, including terrorism and the regional situation. The Prime Minister further proposed the implementation of high-level consultations in economic areas, including economic cooperation, and policy dialogue on economic cooperation, both during the course of this year. These proposals were welcomed by President Musharraf. - Democratization in Pakistan
Prime Minister Koizumi stated his high expectations for a successful democratization process in Pakistan, and conveyed to President Musharraf that Japan would like to contribute to this process as much as possible, including the dispatch of an electoral observer mission. The Prime Minister also extended an invitation to Chairman of the Election Management Committee Khan to Japan. President Musharraf welcomed the offer of the dispatch of an electoral observer mission and the invitation of Chairman Khan to Japan. - Assistance for the social and economic development of Pakistan
Prime Minister Koizumi stated that he would like to see consultation between Japan and Pakistan on the specifics of US$300 million in grant aid for Pakistan already announced by Japan and currently being implemented. He also introduced that every year Japan is providing training to over 100 Pakistani nationals, including training programs in the IT sector.
President Musharraf expressed his deep gratitude for the assistance extended by Japan, including the US$300 million in grant aid, and requested further specific assistance from Japan, as economic and social reforms are necessary for the elimination of extremism. Specifically, President Musharraf requested that: a bilateral agreement between Japan and Pakistan concerning the rates of interest on the rescheduled debt be concluded promptly; Official Development Assistance (ODA) levels be restored to the pre-1998 levels; measures be put in place to promote expansion of trade and industrial revitalization (trade insurance, export credits, etc.); yen loans be extended for projects including the Kohat Tunnel Construction Project; technical cooperation in the IT sector be upgraded; and that support be extended to police and law enforcement agencies. In response, Prime Minister Koizumi stated that he would look into these requests and contemplate on specific responses for the future (he expressed that Japan would deal with the project so that the construction work undertaken to date would not be wasted, and that a survey mission was dispatched concerning reform of the police force).
(2) India-Pakistan relations
Prime Minister Koizumi highly valued President Musharraf's unequivocal rejection of all forms of terrorism, including those perpetrated in the name of Kashmir, and referred to the fact that previously he had called on Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee to reduce tensions between Pakistan and India and to resume dialogue. He requested Pakistan to make efforts as well.
In response, President Musharraf stated that the root cause of India-Pakistan confrontation was the Kashmir issue, and that to the extent that Pakistan could preserve its sovereignty and honor over Kashmir, it would be willing to resume dialogue immediately. The President requested that Japan exert its influence over India. In addition, President Musharraf stated that India should allow access by international organizations, media and others to the Kashmir region.
In the meeting between the Foreign Ministers, Foreign Minister Sattar stated that concerning the request by India for the handing over of 20 suspected criminals who are still at large, it would be difficult to meet India's request unilaterally and unconditionally. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi suggested that Pakistan make effective and concrete gestures.
(3) Afghanistan
Prime Minister Koizumi stated that Japan would make a contribution to the reconstruction of Afghanistan befitting its position, and that Pakistan is an important neighbor to Afghanistan, and that Japan intends to enhance cooperation with Pakistan.
In response, President Musharraf stated that Pakistan had a role to play in relation to Afghanistan, and that Pakistan supported the Bonn Agreement and was committed to the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
(4) Disarmament and Non-proliferation
Prime Minister Koizumi stated that he expected further efforts to be made in non-proliferation, including the signing of the CTBT. He also pointed out the importance of non-proliferation of materials and technologies related to nuclear weapons from the perspective of measures against terrorism as well, and asked for enhanced efforts in this regard.
President Musharraf stated that he personally has strong sympathy with Japan's request for CTBT and concern regarding nuclear weapons. The President stated that Pakistan would not be the first country to resume nuclear testing and reavowed to continue self-restraint in nuclear weapons and to see to it that such weapons are not proliferated. Concerning the signing of the CTBT, President Musharraf stated that personally he had no qualms in signing the treaty, but domestic consensus was first required in Pakistan, and he would like to work on forming it.
In addition, in the meeting between the Foreign Ministers, Foreign Minister Sattar stated that Pakistan is making efforts for the sound management and control of nuclear weapons and materials, adding that Pakistan's missile development was a self-sustaining program.
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