Japan's commitments to the reconstruction of Iraq are "extremely important" and much appreciated by the United States, says Howard H. Baker, Jr., the U.S. ambassador to Japan.

Speaking to the press in Tokyo after his September 17 meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi, Baker said Japan's commitment to have personnel on the ground in Iraq is "an extremely important contribution ... not only in terms of numbers but in terms of symbolism. Japan is a world leader and a force for peace, stability and the rehabilitation of Iraq."

He added: "I believe Japan is committed to full participation in the effort to restore not only stability but rehabilitation of Iraq as a great country."

On North Korea, Baker said that while it is too early to be optimistic, the lack of any recent "provocations" from North Korea is encouraging.

Recent six-party talks with North Korea did not convince Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear ambitions, but, Baker noted, "there has been sufficient progress and sufficient time so that we could look forward to another round of talks."

September 17, 2003

QUESTION: How was your meeting with Minister Kawaguchi?

AMBASSADOR BAKER: Well, as always, I had a very pleasant, very productive, very useful meeting with the Foreign Minister. I was especially glad to have an opportunity to hear her report on her recent travels, including her return from Cancun. We talked about a variety of issues, as you would imagine, ranging from Cancun to the situation on the Korean Peninsula, about Iraq, about WTO, about the upcoming Africa conference. But I continue to be impressed by the Foreign Minister's breadth of knowledge and understanding of complex issues, so it's always a particular pleasure for me to have an opportunity to visit with her, and I come away with a better appreciation for the importance of the Japan-U.S. relationship. She's a talented and dedicated public servant, and I'm always glad to have a chance to meet with her, as I was today.

QUESTION: (inaudible)

AMBASSADOR BAKER: As always, it's difficult to understand what North Korea has in mind, what their objectives are, but I think there's some good points. I think the fact of the six-party talks was good. I think the fact that there have not been any recent new provocations is good. I think that it's too early to be optimistic, but I think it is certainly a step ahead of where we were, say, three months ago. So I would be mildly encouraged that we can make progress with North Korea and convince them to abandon their nuclear ambitions and to join the community of nations.

QUESTION: (inaudible)

AMBASSADOR BAKER: You're talking about the Korean Peninsula? First of all, I would hope there is another round of talks. That is not yet fully decided, I guess, by the North Koreans, but it seems to me that there has been sufficient progress and sufficient time so that we could look forward to another round of talks. None have been set, as you know, but I think it's reasonable to anticipate that one might be soon.

QUESTION: Did you talk about (inaudible)?

AMBASSADOR BAKER: Yes we did, and I reiterated the United States' appreciation for the help and friendship that Japan has shown, and commended Japan once more for their commitment to have personnel on the ground in Iraq. I feel this is an extremely important contribution by Japan, not only in terms of numbers, but in terms of symbolism. Japan is a world leader, and a force for peace, stability and the rehabilitation of Iraq. So I'm confident that the present plans will go forward, and I certainly support that.

QUESTION: (inaudible)

AMBASSADOR BAKER: Contribution of money or manpower? That was discussed, and I made the point that that was, of course, entirely up to Japan to decide, but if they contribute money, as in the case of the Gulf War in 1991, or in terms of rehabilitation efforts perhaps, is a matter very much up to Japan. But I believe Japan is committed to full participation in the effort to restore not only stability but rehabilitation of Iraq as a great country.

QUESTION: (inaudible)

AMBASSADOR BAKER: We discussed that, and I expressed pleasure that our President is going to visit here. It has not yet been fully and formally announced, but I feel confident that he will visit Japan, and I would look forward to that. OK? Thank you very much.