Japan's Basic Position and Diplomatic Efforts
Relating to the Iraq Issue

JAPANESE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

November 2002

1. Japan's Basic Position

(1) Suspicions about Iraq's possession and development of weapons of mass destruction are a serious threat to the entire international community, including Japan. Iraq must not be tolerated to possess weapons of mass destruction.

(2) If Iraq claims that it does not possess weapons of mass destruction, it should permit the immediate and unconditional access to facilities by the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) in accordance with U.N. Security Council resolutions.

(3) The announcement by Iraq that it will accept unconditional inspections is a first step toward the realization of inspections and elimination of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. It is important to ensure the full implementation of the inspection and actual disposal of weapons of mass destruction.

(4) From this perspective, Japan is engaged in active diplomatic efforts toward Iraq and countries concerned.

2. Japan's Diplomatic Efforts

(1) Vis-à-vis Iraq Japan has for a long time been calling on Iraq to comply with relevant resolutions of the U.N. Security Council and in particular has strongly requested Iraq to erase concern about weapons of mass destruction by accepting immediate and unconditional inspections.

September 14: Talks between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi and Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri

(2) Vis-à-vis Middle Eastern Countries On every occasion Japan has lobbied Middle Eastern countries, which have a large influence on Iraq, about the importance of those countries also strongly urging Iraq to accept inspections.

August 31: Talks between Special Envoy for the Middle East Peace Process Dr. Tatsuo Arima and Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Saud al Faisal

September 1: Talks between Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Kenshiro Matsunami and Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalifa Muhammad

September 2: Talks between Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Kenshiro Matsunami and Kuwaiti Foreign Undersecretaty Khalid Al Jarallah

September 7: Talks between Senior Vice-Foreign Minister Seiken Sugiura and Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Baker A. Al-Qirbi

September 12: Japan-Iran foreign ministers' telephone talks

September 15: Japan-Saudi Arabia foreign ministers' talks

September 27: Japan-Iran vice-foreign ministers' consultations

Related Information (Dispatch of Special Envoys of the Prime Minister concerning the Issue of Iraq)

(3) Vis-à-vis Permanent Members of the U.N. Security Council International cooperation is important in the Iraqi issue. Japan conveys its basic position to the permanent members of the UN Security Council that it is important to make serious diplomatic efforts through the United Nations and other arena, and engages in close consultations.

(a) United States

August 27: Vice-ministerial strategic dialogue between Japan and the United States

September 12: Japan-U.S. summit talks

September 13: Japan-U.S. foreign ministers' talks

September 17: Talks between Foreign Minister Kawaguchi and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice

September 17: Talks between Foreign Minister Kawaguchi and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld

September 19: Japan-U.S. summit telephone talks

(b) Britain

September 25: Japan-Britain foreign ministers' telephone talks

October 7: Japan-Britain vice-ministers' consultations

(c) France

September 23: Japan-France summit talks

October 10: Japan-France vice-ministers' consultations

(d) Russia

September 15: Japan-Russia foreign ministers' talks

September 18: Japan-Russia summit telephone talks

October 12: Japan-Russia foreign ministers' talks

(e) Open Meeting of the U.N. Security Council (Oct. 16 - 17)