Courtesy Call on Pakistani President Tarar
(Summary)

August 21, 2000
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

On August 21 Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori paid a courtesy call on Pakistani President Muhammad Rafiq Tarar for approximately 20 minutes. The following is a summary of the meeting.

1. Bilateral Relations

1. President Tarar welcomed the first visit in 10 years by an incumbent Japanese Prime Minister to Pakistan and expressed the hope that future bilateral relations would be brought closer by this visit of Prime Minister Mori. President Tarar also said that although Pakistan now was making efforts toward economic development, it faced a difficult situation due to fiscal difficulties and the continuation of unfair economic sanctions. He expressed hope for the continuation of economic support from Japan as a friendly country.
2. Furthermore, President Tarar announced that on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Japan, Pakistan would like to extend an invitation for the Emperor and Empress of Japan to Pakistan.
3. In response, Prime Minister Mori expressed gratitude for the warm welcome by the Pakistani side, explained that this was his first full-fledged visit to a foreign country since the establishment of his administration and expressed hope for the promotion of understanding between Japan and Pakistan, a friendly country, and for the further strengthening of bilateral relations.

2. India-Pakistan Relations and Nuclear Nonproliferation

1. President Tarar stated that stable peace would not come to this region unless the Kashmir issue was settled. Pakistan would like to have a meaningful dialogue with India, he said, and he asked for Japan's cooperation. He said Pakistan had told India that it was ready to talk with India at any time, any place, and any level, but India had not given a positive response.
2. Prime Minister Mori said that as a member of Asia and as a country that has friendly relations with Pakistan, Japan could acknowledge Pakistan's position on the Kashmir issue. And he asked for Pakistan's understanding of Japan's special feelings toward nuclear weapons, as the only country that has suffered atomic bombing.