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Skriven 2005-11-08 23:33:06 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0511085) for Tue, 2005 Nov 8
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Interview of the President by NHK Television, Japan
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 8, 2005

Interview of the President by NHK Television, Japan
The Map Room



1:18 P.M. EST

Q Thank you very much. My question is on U.S.-Japan alliance coming up to
your meeting with Prime Minister Koizumi next week. How would you define
its significance?

THE PRESIDENT: First, I would define the relationship as a close
relationship. I think people who follow my statements here in America about
foreign policy know that I admire Prime Minister Koizumi a lot and consider
him a close friend. And that's an important part of having good relations.

Secondly, the relationship between Japan and the United States is an
important relationship. It is important for peace, and it's important for
prosperity. We're significant trading partners, and the more we trade
together in a fair way, the more it's likely that there will be prosperity.
And we're working together to maintain the peace. And I appreciate very
much the Japanese commitment to democracy and freedom around the world.

Q Especially the deployment of the Japanese Self-Defense Force in Iraq is I
think a symbol of U.S.-Japan relationship. And will you be urging Prime
Minister Koizumi to prolong its deployment period as the mandate expires
next month?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I'm aware the mandate does expire. First, I do want to
thank the government and the people of Japan for supporting the democratic
aspirations of the people of Iraq. That's noble and it's important for
spreading peace, because democracies don't fight. After all, look at the
relationship between the United States and Japan: we're democracies and we
coexist peacefully, and we work together to keep the peace.

Secondly, I will -- I think what's important is that we get past these
elections in Iraq, and then coalition allies can discuss with a new Iraqi
government how to proceed forward. I have always said that as the Iraqis
stand up -- in other words, as the Iraqis get more trained to secure the
peace, then coalition forces and the U.S. forces will stand down.

Q So would we allow to return to the alliance again, and in the recent
two-plus-two meeting, there was important agreement for increasing
cooperation on security and on defense front, such as the showing of base
facilities. But within Japan there is a concern that Japan might be
engulfed by the international -- the United States' international strategy,
and how would you respond to this concern?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, first of all, Japan makes the decisions that the
government thinks is necessary. Japan is, of course, a sovereign nation.
And we work closely to work out our defense posture in concert with what's
in the best interests of not only America, but with Japan.

Secondly, as you know, we've worked very closely on an arrangement to
realign troops on Okinawa. That's what allies and friends do -- they work
through difficult problems in a way that satisfies the needs of both
parties, as well as what is good for regional stability, and that we would
always consult with our friends, the Japanese. We would never put them in a
position that ran contrary to their national interests.

Q Then I'd like to move on. Regional issues?

THE PRESIDENT: Sure.

Q First, China, which is growing dramatically --

THE PRESIDENT: Yes. (Laughter.)

Q -- in economics and military power. I see in many aspects Japan and the
United States is cooperating. But Japanese relationship with China is
aggravating because of Prime Minister's visit to Yasukuni Shrine. How --
what do you -- how do you view this visit?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, first of all, I think the relationship between China
and Japan is more complicated than just a visit to a shrine. In other
words, there's a lot of Japanese capital investing in China, which is one
indication of the relationship, and, of course, there's the political side
which I understand is strained right now.

And so it seems like a proper role for me is to remind our friends in the
region that it takes work to overcome the past. But overcoming the past is
going to be necessary to have a bright future. I remind people that the
United States and Japan were sworn enemies at one time. And we worked --
we've worked to overcome that. And now we're close allies. And the same is
possible with other countries in the region between Japan and those
affected by World War II.

Q And do you intend to address what you told me in your meeting with the
Prime Minister?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, if he wants to talk about it, I'd be glad to talk
about it. But what's interesting about this interview is I just addressed
the issue, so he probably will hear this. But the Prime Minister is a savvy
man, and he is a smart man. And he knows very well that it requires work to
get past old grievances. And he's -- I think -- I find him to be a very
skilled diplomat, as well.

Q And with regards to North Korea, Japan is continuously working for a
long-desired solution to Japanese abductees.

THE PRESIDENT: Yes.

Q And so how does the United States aim to support Japan on this issue?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, of course, we abhor abductions. And we can understand
the heartbreak of the Japanese families that -- who lost a loved one, and
therefore support Japan in its desire to resolve this issue. However, the
main focus of our discussions -- our six-party talks is to make sure that
the Korean Peninsula does not have a nuclear weapon. And that's in Japan's
interest, as well as in the interest of the United States, and, for that
matter, everybody else in the region, that we succeed in these talks to get
-- make sure that the North Koreans hear with one voice, a voice spoken by
China, South Korea, Japan, the United States and Russia that it is in the
interest of world peace and harmony that all -- that North Korea and South
Korea, for that matter, does not have a nuclear weapon.

Q Lastly, it has been two years since Japan has banned imports of beef.

THE PRESIDENT: Yes. (Laughter.)

Q What do you expect?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I understand this is a very -- that the -- this is a
difficult issue. I'm also pleased to see that the food safety commission --
I think that's what it's called --

Q Yes.

THE PRESIDENT: -- has ruled that U.S. beef is safe. Of course, our
cattlemen here believe the beef is safe. I'm more than willing to eat U.S.
beef, and do -- eat a lot of it. And my point is, is that I hope that the
government follows through with the recommendations of the safety
commission -- or just decides about opening the market and listens to the
safety commission because we feel like not only our beef is safe, but it's
an important part of our cattle industry to be able to sell to the Japanese
consumer.

Q So I thank you again, Mr. President --

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, sir.

Q -- for giving us such a kind opportunity to interview you.

THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much.

END 1:26 P.M. EST

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