Japan-Pakistan Summit Meeting
(Summary)

August 21, 2000
inistry of Foreign Affairs

On August 21 Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, who was visiting Pakistan, held talks with Pakistani Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf for about 2 hours and 15 minutes. The talks were held in the presence of several persons from 10:45 a.m. to 12:10 and then in the presence of more persons until 1:00 p.m. The following is a summary of the meeting.

1. Bilateral Relations

1. Prime Minister Mori announced that Japan was scheduled to implement measures, including assistance equivalent to 500 million yen for the drought disaster in Pakistan; grant aid equivalent to 380 million yen for the project for an Expansion of Immunization against Neonatal Tetanus; and in view of the importance of the expansion of trade and investment between Japan and Pakistan, the holding of training in the fields of information technology and textiles, the holding of a seminar on small and medium-sized enterprise policy, and establishment of a joint public- and private-sector business dialogue.
2. Also, Prime Minister Mori announced that Japan had a program to invite 5,000 young people from South Asian countries to Japan over the next five years, including high school students, and that within this program a Mori Fellowship would be established to invite researchers and artists to Japan.
3. In response, Chief Executive Musharraf expressed gratitude for these measures and announced that on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Japan in 2002, Pakistan would like to invite the Emperor and Empress of Japan to Pakistan.

2. Democratization Problem

1. Prime Minister Mori said that Japan emphasized freedom and democracy, commended Pakistan's announcement that it would hold a general election by October 2002, and asked Chief Executive Musharraf about his intentions regarding democratization.
2. In response, Chief Executive Musharraf said that the government was now making efforts toward economic reconstruction, good governance, more efficiency in the administrative apparatus, punishment of people who steal the nation's wealth, and closer inter-provincial relations. Regarding the economic situation, he explained that although Pakistan's huge accumulated debt was a major burden, the situation was moving in a positive direction. From now on, he said, the government also wanted to make efforts in such areas as education, the eradication of poverty, and the improvement of law and order.
3. In response, Prime Minister Mori commended Pakistan's steady efforts toward reform and the direction of economic reform.

3. Economic Cooperation to Pakistan and Nuclear Nonproliferation

1. Prime Minister Mori asked for Pakistan's understanding regarding Japan's request for efforts by Pakistan on the nuclear nonproliferation issue, bearing in mind the fact that Japan was the only country to have suffered atomic bombing and that the Japanese people had strong feelings on this issue.
2. In response, Chief Executive Musharraf first of all expressed gratitude for the fact that Japan's economic cooperation had contributed to Pakistan's economic development and also pointed out that Japan was an important trading partner for Pakistan. Also, stating that it was important for Pakistan to break out of the "debt trap," Chief Executive Musharraf requested Japan's support with regard to the International Monetary Fund, rescheduling, and so on. Prime Minister Mori promised indirect support.
3. Furthermore, Chief Executive Musharraf expressed understanding of Japan's concerns regarding the nuclear nonproliferation issue, as well as understanding of the fact that Japan was making sincere requests to Pakistan for its early signing of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and that Japan was qualified to make such requests. He confirmed that Pakistan would continue its moratorium on nuclear tests until the CTBT takes effect. Also, Chief Executive Musharraf guaranteed that although Pakistan would be forced to reply if India should carry out a nuclear test, Pakistan would never be the first to conduct a nuclear test again and said that Pakistan would approach the nuclear nonproliferation issue in a most responsible manner. In addition, Chief Executive Musharraf said that while he did not think there was any problem regarding Pakistan's signing of the CTBT, the formation of a domestic consensus would require a little more time. He asked for Japan's understanding of the fact that if Pakistan were to sign the treaty now, it would lead to domestic instability.
4. In response, Prime Minister Mori again urged Pakistan's early signing of the CTBT and announced that, having confirmed Pakistan's forward-looking attitude, such as its decision to continue a moratorium on nuclear tests until the CTBT goes into effect, with regard to the Kohat Tunnel construction project Japan would consider positively providing additional yen loans, taking into account such factors as Pakistan's economic situation and debt repayment condition.

4. India-Pakistan Relations and the Terrorism Issue

1. Prime Minister Mori expressed concern about India-Pakistan relations and his hope for an early resumption of dialogue in the spirit of Lahore. He also stated Japan's position that the killing of innocent people by terrorist acts could not be justified for whatever reason and in whatever place. He resolutely criticized terrorism in all forms. He also said that Pakistan should adopt effective measures to prevent terrorism.
2. In response, Chief Executive Musharraf said that Pakistan also wanted a dialogue with India, but India would not respond. Also, he stated that Pakistan was a victim of terrorism and criticized atrocities against civilians. He explained that Pakistan was negotiating with Afghanistan for the closure of terrorist sanctuaries and bases in Afghanistan. Regarding massacres in Kashmir, Chief Executive Musharraf asked for Japan's understanding of the fact that Pakistan was not implicated in these acts.