Press Conference 19 December 2003
- Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi on Iran's signing of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Additional Protocol
- Emergency humanitarian grant aid for the Palestinians
- Dispatch of election monitors for upcoming presidential election in Republic of Guatemala
- Introduction of ballistic missile defense system (BMDS)
- Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi on Iran's signing of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Additional Protocol
Press Secretary Hatsuhisa Takashima: Good afternoon. Today I have four announcements I would like to make.
First, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi issued a statement last night welcoming the signing of the Additional Protocol of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In this statement, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi said as follows:
Japan welcomes Iran's signing of the Additional Protocol of the International Atomic Energy Agency on 18 December in Vienna.
Japan has made diplomatic efforts to this end, particularly by requesting Iran to promptly conclude the Additional Protocol and cooperating concretely in such areas as sharing with Iranian experts of Japan's experience of the conclusion and implementation of the Additional Protocol.
Japan hopes that Iran will promptly ratify and fully implement the Additional Protocol and that Iran will cooperate with the IAEA in accordance with the Protocol in advance of its ratification.
Related Information (Statement by Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on Iran's Signing of the IAEA Additional Protocol)
- Emergency humanitarian grant aid for the Palestinians
Mr. Takashima: Second, I would like to make an announcement on the emergency humanitarian grant aid for the Palestinians.
The Government of Japan today decided to extend emergency grant aid for the Palestinian people. It will extend emergency grant aid of approximately US$6 million in total to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Trust Fund for the Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People.
In the Palestinian territories, the economic, social and humanitarian situations of the Palestinians have deteriorated extremely since the conflict broke out at the end of September 2000. Particularly serious are the situations concerning employment and poverty, and the lack of social services such as medical care. Against this background and in response to the United Nations consolidated appeal issued last month, this emergency grant aid from Japan will be provided for the following three projects:
(1) Emergency Employment Generation Program through Upgrading of Educational and Vocational Training Facilities in the West Bank
We expect that this will generate job opportunities for approximately 178 people for 100 days.
(2) Construction of 25 Municipal Facilities and Community Centers with Medical Clinic in Rural Area of the West Bank
(3) Humanitarian Relief through Construction of 130 Houses for Poor Families in the Gaza Strip
Foreign Minister Kawaguchi will host a dinner this evening for the Ambassadors to Japan from 19 Arabic countries. Taking this opportunity, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi will explain Japan's Middle East policy, including this emergency humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people, and the various assistance for the reconstruction of Iraq, including the forthcoming dispatch of Japan's Self Defense Forces (SDF) personnel.
- Dispatch of election monitors for upcoming presidential election in Republic of Guatemala
Mr. Takashima: Third, an announcement about the presidential election in the Republic of Guatemala.
The Government of Japan today decided to dispatch to Guatemala three election monitors comprising one private researcher and two officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in response to the request from the Guatemala Supreme Electoral Tribunal. The three monitors will visit Guatemala from 23 to 31 December and monitor the run-off presidential election to be held on 28 December.
In addition to this dispatch, Japan has provided US$260,000.00 worth of assistance to the Organization of American States (OAS) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in charge of various activities regarding the general and presidential elections in Guatemala, and dispatched six monitors for the first round of balloting held last month.
- Introduction of ballistic missile defense system (BMDS)
Mr. Takashima: Fourth, the Government of Japan decided at today's Cabinet meeting to introduce a ballistic missile defense (BMD) system to defend Japan and its people and property from ballistic missile attack.
Japan has been conducting technological research of BMD with the United States and has come to the conclusion that it is desirable to introduce the system for the purpose of both enhancing peace and security of the nation and strengthening the Japan-US Security Alliance.
This system is purely defensive and has no threatening implication for the neighboring countries and areas, and no ill effect on the stability in the region. Japan will actively explain these points in order to acquire international understanding of its decision whenever necessary.
The details of the introduction will be decided by the end of next year, but the system will be a multi-layer defense system consisting of the Aegis BMD System and the Patriot PAC-3.
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