VI. PERIOD OF THE VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE USSR, M.S. GORBACHEV, TO JAPAN AND AFTER THE VISIT

1. President M.S. Gorbachev of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics paid an Official Visit to Japan from April 16 through April 19, 1991, at the invitation of the Government of Japan. President M.S. Gorbachev of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs A.A. Bessmertnykh of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and other government officials.

2. President M.S. Gorbachev of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Mrs. Gorbachev had an audience with Their Imperial Highnesses The Emperor and The Empress of Japan in the Imperial Palace on April 16.

3. President M.S. Gorbachev of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics had frank and constructive discussions with Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu of Japan on issues between Japan and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, including the negotiations for the conclusion of a peace treaty, and on major international issues of mutual interest. President M.S. Gorbachev of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics invited Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu of Japan to pay an Official Visit to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. This invitation was gratefully accepted. The details of the visit are to be arranged through diplomatic channels.

4. Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu of Japan and President M.S. Gorbachev of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics held an in-depth and thorough negotiations on a whole range of issues relating to the preparation and conclusion of a peace treaty between Japan and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, including the issue of territorial demarcation, taking into consideration the positions of both sides on the attribution of the islands of Habomai, Shikotan, Kunashiri, and Etorofu.

The joint work done previously - particularly the negotiations at the highest level - has made it possible to confirm a series of conceptual understandings: that the peace treaty should be the document marking the final resolution of war-related issues, including the territorial issue that it should pave the way for long-term Japan-USSR relations on the basis of friendship, and that it should not infringe upon either side's security.

The Soviet side proposed that measures be taken in the near future to expand exchanges between residents of Japan and residents of the aforementioned islands, to establish a simplified visa-free framework for visits by the Japanese to these islands, to initiate joint, mutually beneficial economic activities in that region, and to reduce the Soviet military forces stationed on these islands. The Japanese side stated its intention to consult on these questions in the future.

As well as emphasizing the primary importance of accelerating work to conclude the preparations for a peace treaty, the Prime Minister and the President expressed their firm resolve to make constructive and vigorous efforts to this end taking advantage of all positive elements that have been built up in bilateral negotiations in the years since Japan and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics jointly proclaimed an end to the state of war and the restoration of diplomatic relations in l956.

At the same time, they recognized that the development of constructive cooperation between Japan and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, including the adjacent Russian Soviet Federal Socialist Republic, is advisable in an atmosphere of good-neighborliness, mutual benefit, and trust. Cooperation should take place in trade-economic, scientific-technological, and political spheres as well as in social, cultural, educational, tourism, and sports realms through free and wide-ranging exchanges between the citizens of the two countries.

Dear compatriots!

Having received your appeal in which you express your concern about the destiny of the Southern Kuriles, I consider it my duty to clarify the position of the Government of the Russian Federation.

I fully agree with you in that the current generation of Russians is not responsible for the political "adventurism" of the former leaders of our country. At the same time an obvious obligation of the new Russian leadership is to look for ways of resolving problems which we inherited from the policies of previous eras, and which stand in the way of developing normal relations between Russia and the international community today. In the end, the future of a new democratic Russia as a member of the internaional community, and its international authority depends on how fast we manage to overcome the difficult heritage of the past, accept the norms of the international community, and thus make legality, justice and strict adherence to the principles of international law the criteria of its policy.

One of the problems we will have to resolve in the near future is reaching a final post-War settlement in our relations with Japan. I am convinced that from the Russian point of view, it would be unforgivable to continue to endure a situation where relations with Japan remain practically frozen because of the absence of a peace treaty between the two countries.

It is well-known that the main obstacle to the conclusion of this treaty is the issue of the demarcation of borders between Russia and Japan. This problem has a long history, and it has lately attracted broad attention and provoked diverse feelings among citizens of Russia. In approaching this issue, we will be guided by the principles of justice and humanism, and we will firmly defend the interests and dignity of Russians including those of the inhabitants of the Southern Kuriles. I assure you that no inhabitant of the Southern Kuriles will see their future ruined. Their socio-economic and property interests will be fully provided for taking into account the emerging historical realities.

The initial principle for any agreement with Japan will be to ensure the well-being of our one and indivisible Fatherland. Being the first democratically elected President of Russia in history, I assure you that the Russian public will be fully informed of the intentions and plans of its government in a timely manner.

I sincerely hope for your understanding and support.

B. Yeltsin