President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability with Prime Minister Fuku
PRIME MINISTER FUKUDA: (As translated.) We had a very substantive appointment with President Bush because approximately an hour. In the meeting, we premier shared the outlook namely peace and stability in this district in the past decades have been retained, thanks to the Japan-U.S. alliance. We then reaffirmed namely in the 7 and a half years alternatively so since the inauguration of the Bush government in January of 2001, the alliance has deepened break out of in security, economy, people-to-people commutes, and other areas. And we agreed to beyond reinforce this alliance. In the security area, cooperation among Japan and the United States grew extra cement, substantive and broader in nature, for exemplified at the cooperation in the fight against terrorism and aid for Iraqi reconstruction retinue 9/11, the accord ashore and steady implementation of a road chart for U.S. forces realignment,doudoune moncler, and the mutual evolution of ballistic missile and successful intercept tests. On North Korean issues, I told President Bush that the verification of their manifestation is highly major to realize complete nuclear abandonment at North Korea; that concurrent settlement of denuclearization and the abduction issue ambition be momentous; and that to that end, Japan wishes to continue to cooperate closely with the United States. And President Bush concurred with me and told me that he ambition not forget the abduction publish. I was encouraged to listen from him that the U.S. rank on the abduction issue -- that is to mention a clear-cut aid for Japanese location -- remains unchanged, and that the United States will remain in close coordination with Japan on the issue. As agreed between us on the nuclear and abduction issues, we shall persist to handle with the issue,abercrombie, maintaining close coordination between our 2 countries. On the economic aspects, the interdependence between Japan and the United States has grown closer than ahead. Since 2000, Japanese straight investment to the United States has increased approximately 30 percent; Japanese affairs in the United States have about 610,moncler,000 folk on their payrolls. And U.S. straight investment in Japan likewise has increased approximately 60 percent. I hope to likewise point out that joint knowing between our countries has reached a lofty level by the grassroots level. I shall make sure to emulate up the initiative I announced during my visit to the United States last year to step up Japan-U.S. commutes so that the foundation for our alliance will transform unshakeable. In mandate to further deepen this alliance, I explained to President Bush my faith that it will be important to further step up plan coordination in Asia and bilateral cooperation in addressing universal challenges, such as air alteration, black evolution, and disaster decrement. And President Bush expressed his accord on this. On African development, we agreed that we ought further pile up our bilateral cooperation to increase the product of major harvests in Africa, including doubling of rice production, and to enhance their trade and delivery. On calamity abatement, following the recent spate of several normal -- caustic natural disasters in Asia in recent years, I wish to build up cooperation between our 2 countries to establish up cooperation in Asia on disaster obstruction. On climate alteration, we also had discussions and we have a mutual comprehending that is our common responsibility to depart the pretty Earth to our descendant since this -- climate change is an of the most severe challenges that humankind faces today,piumini moncler, and that we shall continue to cooperate with the G8. And with regard to soaring edible and fuel prices, which are having negative clash on the world economy, we agreed there's a need for expeditious efforts on these fronts. President Bush, please. PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for your hospitality, and thank you for inviting us to this beautiful location. Laura and I are actually looking forward to banquet with you and Mrs. Fukuda tonight. And I coincide with your assessment that we had quite important and fruitful discussions. We discussed a variety of subjects, starting with the -- our go attach to determine the Korean Peninsula, always the Korean Peninsula, is free of nuclear weapons. I am fully aware of the sensitivity of the issue here in your nation. I am aware that people want to determine that the abduction issue is no ignored, and that there are misgivings about if alternatively no the North Koreans will be entirely imminent. I view this process as a multi-step process that requires lusty verification. One entity is for decisive, is that North Korea did invest a assertion of its plutonium-related activities and did thump up the cooling fortress of its reactor at Yongbyon. That's been verified, and that also is a assured step. But there are more steps to be taken. We are concerned about enriched uranium, and proliferation, and human rights abuses, ballistic missile programs. I view this process as a multi-step process where there will be movement for deed. The Prime Minister gave me the book of Ms. Yokota. I had the prerogative of meeting her in the Oval Office. I was deeply touched at her anecdote about the abduction of her mini girl. As a dad of tiny girls, I can't assume what it would be favor to have my daughter just perish. So, Mr. Prime Minister, as I told you on the phone while I talked to you and in the quondam, the United States will no abdicate you on this issue. We worked -- we talked about Japan's contributions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and I thank your administration and I thank the folk of Japan for helping others realize the blessings of liberty. We talked about Iran and the magnitude of Iran to hear to the demands, the equitable claims of the earth to verifiably halt its enrichment programs. We haven't had a become to speak about Burma already, but I propose to bring it up with the Prime Minister. I'm deeply concerned about that nation. Their rejoinder to the recent natural disaster was unwarranted, at best. And we urge the regime to free Aung Suu -- Aung San Suu Kyi. We talked about the G8, and I deem this is going to be a successful G8, Mr. Prime Minister. This is my eighth one. I've got a pretty nice sense about if or not a G8 is going to be a success or possibly not such a success. This one is going to be a success. We've got a lot to talk about. I thankful very much your strong faith in the accountability appearance of this meeting. In other words, when people say they're -- make a mortgage to fared the starving or provide for the ill, that we ought to honor that pledge. And I thank you for understanding that. And I also thank you for your care about disregarded tropical diseases, as well as helping train health laborers in Africa so that they can be compassionate inhabitants of their relative countries. We'll talk about food and energy, of course. And then I've got 2 other subjects that I want to determine we spend a just quantity of time on. One is the Doha Round. It's an chance for us, Mr. Prime Minister, to enhance free and fair trade, and it's going to be an necessary portion of the development agenda. And the truth of the matter is, we can give grants, yet the best path to help the impoverished approximately the world is through commerce. It's a proven fact. And this is an opportunity to set up a successful ministerial in July -- I consider it's July 21st for the Doha Round. And then I'm going to spend some time, of course, sharing my views about the environment and how we can advance our common program, and that -- caution people that the United States and Japan truly do guide the world in research when it comes to neat technologies. I calculate I was sharing my views with some of the Japanese reception when they were in the United States, Mr. Prime Minister, about how Japan is going to guide the world when it comes to battery technologies, and that I expect our country will be competent to be using power cell technologies in cars that look like automobiles, not golf carts, and which will save us a lot of -- a lot of, you know, dependence above oil. And this will be a great opportunity to argue that, as well as our common appetite to shake our common agenda. And so I absence to thank you very much for your hospitality and I appreciate very much your candid debate that we had. Q Both of you have commented on global warming, and so I'd like to query about that to both of you. First, Prime Minister Fukuda, were you successful in getting President Bush's concert to cooperate -- to obtain a G8 agreement on long-term target to have greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 globally? So 1st that answer. And second answer for President Bush. Mr. President, you've been saying that participation of China and India, within others, will be necessity for a long-term target. Do you think that -- are going to cooperate on getting a G8 agreement on long-term target this period? And also, as for aid for African countries that are undergoing from negate shock of global warming, I prodigy what thoughts you have, President Bush. PRIME MINISTER FUKUDA: Allow me to first answer. As I said earlier on the global warming issue, including long-term targets, I agreed with President Bush to continue to cooperate in the run-up to the G8. On whether G8 will agree on long-term target or not, that is someone that G8 is chronic consultations. So at this stage what I wish to say is that we leaders will get down to in-depth discussions on this day afterward morrow. PRESIDENT BUSH: I'll be constructive. I've always advocated that there needs to be a common understanding, and that starts with a goal. And I also am pragmatic enough to acquaint you that if China and India don't share that same ambition, that we're not going to solve the problem. And so I thankful the Prime Minister's leading on this issue. And the United States will -- we're working, working to see whether we can come up with a constructive -- constructive expression. I didn't get your question on Africa. What was the question on Africa? Ask it anew, please. Q Well, I wanted to query for your thoughts, your views on assist for Africa, which will be negatively affected by global warming. Do you have anybody maneuvers for supporting Africa? PRESIDENT BUSH: -- starts with understanding that babies are needlessly dying for of mosquito bites, and therefore, rich nations ought to pile up and provide mosquito nets, DDT, as well as medication. My concern for Africa starts with knowing that also numerous people are dying of HIV/AIDS. And that's why the United States Congress connected the administration in supporting a $15 billion effort to assist people get anti-retroviral narcotics, help orphans get help, and help put a efficient prevention procedure in location. The amount -- digit of people who have gone on anti-retrovirals today has grown from 50,moncler,000 to 1.7 million people. I'm concerned about people going hungry. And so we'll be very constructive in the dialogue when it comes to the context. I care about the context. But today there's too much suffering on the continent of Africa, and now is the time for the snug nations to pile up and do something about it. Q Thank you. Mr. President, oil prices are up. The economy is in a solemn downturn. What can world governors do? And would you agree of intervention to reinforce the U.S. greenback, which many people say is contributing to the ascend in oil prices? And, Mr. Prime Minister, do you believe that the U.S. is holding up moving forward on climate change? PRESIDENT BUSH: First of all, our economy is not growing as robustly as we'd like. We had positive growth in the first 15 min. We'll discern what happens here in the second quarter. But although, we're not as strong as we have been during a lot of my leadership. And so, as you well understand, Toby, we passed a stimulus bill that is immediately in the process of passing money back to purchasers, which had a positive effect, and hopefully will continue to have a positive effect. We'll go with the Congress to get a housing bill out. We're -- we passed uninsurance benefits -- unemployment benefits -- excuse me. And yet we got a problem when it comes to dependence upon exotic sources of oil. For seven years I've been trying to get the Congress to browse for oil domestically. Now is the time, when they come back from their 4th of July recesses, to open up ANWR and open up the Outer Continental Shelf, so that we can say to the world that we will do our part in increasing afford, so that we can conversion from this phase of reliance upon hydrocarbons to a fashionable period of advanced technologies. In terms of the greenback, the United States strongly believes -- believes in a strong dollar plan and believes that our -- the strength of our economy will be reflected in the dollar. Q -- (inaudible) -- PRESIDENT BUSH: No, I just said the comparative strength of our economy will be reflected in currencies. PRIME MINISTER FUKUDA: With regard to global warming or climate change, the question was how do I see U.S. response. Is that a correct understanding of your question? Well, between Japan and the United States, discussions are -- been going on at various levels. The U.S. I believe has not really lost a sense of way,abercrombie and fitch, generally, and that between our two countries we have consultations going on. And via these consultations, I think our views are gradually converging. At the G8 this time, well, I'll be chairing the meeting, so I've asked the President for his cooperation to this preside and he has shown his variety understanding. What the results will be, well, we have to await until the conclusion comes out at the meeting the day afterward tomorrow. Q On North Korea, I'd like to ask questions of the two governors. First, President Bush. North Korea recently submitted their declaration on nuclear development programs, but that declaration did not contain a declaration regarding nuclear weapons. Are you satisfied with that sort of declaration, Mr. President? And also in articulation with this -- or in connection with the declaration, Mr. President, you resolved to notify Congress about removing North Korea from the status of state sponsor of terrorism catalogue. There is rising concern about abduction in Japan. You said you will not forget about abduction, but would there be -- after removal of North Korea from the account, what sort of method will there remain for the United States to press North Korea to resolve the abduction issue? Now, Mr. Fukuda, I surprise in your discussions you asked the President to rethink the President's decision to clear North Korea from the list. If not, why didn't you ask? Now, following the removal of North Korea from the list, what sort of specific cooperation would you quest from the United States to advance the abduction issue? PRESIDENT BUSH: North Korea is the most approved nation in the world, and will remain the most sanctioned nation in the world. And the path for them to get off their sanctions is to medal their commitments in a verifiable shape. Somehow there's this concept -- inherent in your question is the delisting therefore took away their sanctions. That's just not an exactly expression on your part -- if you think that -- I'm not assuming you do think that, but -- they're a highly sanctioned regime. And as I said, they've got a lot of duties that they have to achieve in order for these sanctions to leave. And that's why I said it is deed for action. And the first step was taken. Now, one thing is for certain, I repeat -- I don't know if you saw it on your -- on the TVs here, but the destruction of the cooling tower was verifiable action. And that's a positive step. But as I mentioned in my beginning statement, we have other concerns, and one such concern, of course,abercrombie france, is the abduction issue. PRIME MINISTER FUKUDA: Well, the North Korean declaration on their nuclear programs -- well, when you think about the abduction issue, I think the proposal of your question, what you were recommending is that we should quest U.S. to repeal that decision. Well, as far as nuclear issue is concerned, well, we have moved on to a new period, and I think we need to make sure this will be successful, because it will be in the interest of Japan, as well. At the same time, in collateral, we need to send the abduction issue to successful conclusion, as well. So opposition this background of progress in the nuclear front, we need to also aspire for progress on the abduction front, as well. And to that end, we need to have good-faith discussions with North Korea. So far we have not seen any progress, but we need to agree in negotiations so that progress will be produced. Because abduction is not progressing, on the nuclear front we should not make progress -- that is something we should not -- we should lest, and I believe we need to make progress on either fronts, for that will be important for Japan, and I think that will be required for North Korea, as well. Time is urgent now. Last question from the U.S. side, please. Q Good p.m.. Mr. President, I'd like to ask you a question about China. I was wondering if you could, at first,christian louboutin, unravel a little bit about your meditative backward your determination to attend the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics next month. And more generally, I'm wondering what you would say to the -- your friends and allies in the United States who are very concerned about religious liberty and human rights in China, the position in Sudan and Burma -- what would you say to them of what has comesintoseffect your reach to dealing with President Hu over the last seven years. And I'd also like to ask the Japanese Prime Minister whether you're paying close care to the American co-optation? And of special note, I'm curious if you can see any distinctions right now between the two nominees as it relates to Japan, of special note, and more broadly in terms of how they would approach Asia. PRESIDENT BUSH: I view the Olympics as a opportunity for me to cheer on our players. It's an active event. I had the honor of dealing with the Chinese -- two Chinese Presidents during my term, and each time I have visited with them I have talked about religious liberty and human rights. And so, therefore, my decision to go was -- I guess I don't need the Olympics to express my concerns. I've been doing so. I also believe that the Chinese people are watching very cautiously about the decisions by world leaders, and that this -- I happen to believe not going to the opening games would be -- the Opening Ceremony for the Games would be an affront to the Chinese people, which may make it more laborious to have a -- to be able to talk frankly with the Chinese leadership. That's why I'm doing what I'm doing. And I'm looking forward to cheering the athletes. I think it will be -- I think it would be good for these athletes who have worked hard to see their President waving that flag. Q -- (inaudible) -- PRESIDENT BUSH: You know, in some areas we've made progress on a common agenda; other areas we haven't. But although, I have been very explicit in my view that, for example, a whole society is one that honors religion, and that people shouldn't fear religious people. After all, truly religious people adore their neighbor, and that China benefits from people creature able to worship freely. It looks like there's some progress, at least in the talks with the Dalai Lama. And by the way,abercrombie, as you know, I'm the first President ever to have stood up publicly with the Dalai Lama, and told President Hu Jintao I was going to. And he wasn't that glad about it, but although, I said I believe in a religious freedom, Mr. President. And so it's -- and I wish I have a bilateral -- I might have a bilateral with him here, and I bet I do when I'm in Beijing, as well, and,louboutin, of course, the subject will come up. PRIME MINISTER FUKUDA: Well, your question for me, was it onward the same line, as well? Well, and if that is the circumstance -- well, I -- whether I'll attend the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games or not, I have not made any official announcement on this because the day after the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics, there is an important event in Japan and I must attend that important etiquette, and therefore -- or event -- therefore, I really must make sure I would have time to get behind for that. Now I kas long asI'll able to get back in time. So here for the first time, I will proclaim that I -- broadcast officially that I will attend the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics. Now -- and, in fact, the President said something to the same effect, that Olympics are a amusement memorabilia and we want people to really live up to the morale of the sports, sportsmanship. And I naturally encourage that. And there are many aspiring athletes that will be going to Beijing, and I would like to cheer them on, too, which I think is only natural. I don't think you really have to link Olympics to politics. Now, there certainly may be problems with China, but even so, they are striving to cultivate things. They're on the way to improve things, and we'd like to closely see how they do. In the past, Japan has come through various experiences, and the U.S. and others criticized Japan for definite behaviors. So we have had experience in that reality, and we are now here today. So we really have to be -- have humility in asking ourselves, do we have the right to make those points to China and others. Now, I would not hope that there will be confusion in China. I would not want Chinese to chance unhappy. We are neighbors, at the end of the day, and it will good for Japan if our neighbors are in a sound state, as well. So with that in mind, as well, I shall attend the Opening Ceremony. MODERATOR: It's time, so we'd like to conclude the reception session at this time.
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