Speaking to Reporters at Prime Minister’s Official Residence

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Well, we had a very nice meeting, and I briefed him on our aspirations for the Six-Party process. And he talked about Japan's concerns, including and especially the abduction issue and the desire for the Japanese Government and the Japanese people to see some progress and to see that this issue would find a place to be addressed in the process. So it was a very good discussion.

QUESTION: And what was your reaction regarding Mr. Shiozaki, what Mr. Shiozaki said about abductions?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Well, it was a very good meeting, and it was very helpful for me to see his views on this matter. Obviously it's an issue very dear to his heart and very important in his job, so I understood the points he was making. So we need to go forward to Beijing and see if we can make progress on implementing the September agreement, with the understanding that the Six-Party process offers a very broad platform on which I think we can address a number of outstanding issues. It's our hope that in addition to the U.S. addressing bilateral issues with the DPRK, that Japan can also have that opportunity. And that would include a discussion with the DPRK on the abduction issue.

QUESTION: What sort of impact do you think Japan's stance will have on the next round of Six-Party Talks?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Well, I think Japan is a very important player in this region. Indeed, it's by far the largest economy in this region. So I think as the DPRK looks forward -- if it is interested in joining the region, in getting out of the isolation that it has created for itself -- it should look forward to somehow building a relationship with Japan. And to do that, it needs to address some of these questions.

So, is it OK if she asks all the questions for the rest of you?

QUESTION: Go ahead.

QUESTION: Japan is reluctant to give aid to North Korea unless the abduction issue is resolved. Is this time for your efforts to achieve progress in the Six-Party Talks?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Well, first of all, I did not discuss the assistance matter with Mr. Shiozaki. We were discussing more broadly denuclearization and also the abduction question. But we have a very good, very good working relationship with the Japanese on the Six-Party process. So I'm sure that we can continue to have a very productive relationship. I think the Six-Party process is a much stronger process when the U.S. and Japan can stand together.

So I will see you all later. I hope I'll see some of you in Beijing.

QUESTION: So just to reconfirm: The energy-aid issue did not come up at all?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: No, I did not discuss that, because we were discussing more broadly the issue of denuclearization and whether we could make some progress. And I was emphasizing the fact that if we make some progress – You know, we are not going to be able to resolve the nuclear issue – that is, achieve complete implementation of the September 2005 statement – in one step. We're going to need several steps. And so I made the point that if we can make a good step with that in Beijing, people should not just judge it by one step. They need to see it as part of several steps. So it's hard at this point to say what we're going to be able to achieve in Beijing. Certainly we have some ambitions for this next round, but what's I think very important for us is we'll work very closely with the Japanese side and see if we can achieve some progress.

Okay?

QUESTION: Foreign Minister Aso just said earlier today that energy assistance will be addressed at the Six-Party Talks this week?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Well, I'm not sure what will be addressed at the Six-Party Talks this week. I mean, what we want to see is implementation of some of the September 2005 statement, and what elements of September 2005, we have to see. But I look forward to having the opportunity to meet with the Foreign Minister later today and to giving my thoughts on the Six-Party process, but more importantly to hearing his thoughts.

Okay? So I'll see you all later – maybe see some of you in Beijing. All right. Take care.