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Japan-US Summit Teleconference (Summary)

December 2003

On 20 December, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi received a telephone call from President George W. Bush of the United States of America. The following is a summary of their telephone talks.

  1. President Bush informed Prime Minister Koizumi on the capture of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and the subsequent situation in Iraq, and expressed his gratitude for the assistance Japan is providing for the reconstruction of Iraq. In response, Prime Minister Koizumi stated that the conviction that the Japan-US alliance and international cooperation were most important for Japan will not change. In addition, Prime Minister Koizumi noted that former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto had visited France and Germany as his Special Envoy and agreed with the leaders of respective countries to cooperate for the reconstruction of Iraq. The Prime Minister also noted the leading cooperation between Japan and Egypt for the reconstruction of Iraq. President Bush appreciated such efforts by Japan. Furthermore, Prime Minister Koizumi emphasized the importance for the United States' cause and goodwill to the appreciated by the world community, as well as the importance of international cooperation.
  2. Prime Minister Koizumi stated that he welcomed the decision by Libya to dismantle its WMD (weapons of mass destruction) development program and to immediately accept inspections by international organizations. President Bush stated that Colonel Muammar al Qadhafi, the Libyan leader, must have come to understand the desirability of becoming a peace-seeking member of the international community, and that he hoped that Chairman Kim Jong Il of North Korea would arrive at the same understanding. Furthermore, the two leaders agreed to advance the close coordination between Japan and the United States for further progress in the six-party talks process.
  3. Finally, they concluded their talks with President Bush is year-end and new year greetings and Prime Minister Koizumi's Christmas greetings.
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