Consultations on the U.S.-Japan Security Alliance

Consultations on the U.S.-Japan Security Alliance

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Good evening. I was just honored to have a meeting with the Prime Minister. I was able to present to the Prime Minister a letter from President Bush, in which President Bush had noted with great affection the kind words that the Prime Minister has spoken about the US-Japan security alliance and our alliance being the cornerstone of peace and stability in Asia. Additionally, I was able on behalf of President Bush to invite the Prime Minister to visit with President Bush at the earliest possible time and we look forward to that visit by the Prime Minister very much. We spoke briefly about our view of the new security architecture, new strategic framework in Asia and I explained the US position. This was simply consultation. We did not present anything for a final decision. We did not present a fait accompli to our friends in Japan. We simply explained how we saw the strategic environment. This consultation is the beginning of a process, not the end of a process. And we hope it's a process that will go on for some time as we see understanding from our Japanese friends. Thank you

QUESTION: What was the Prime Minister's reaction to your explanation?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: He listened very carefully and his colleagues have heard from me several times throughout the day. I will let our Japanese friends characterize their reaction to what I had to say throughout the day. But I will say that this is just the beginning of a process, not the end of it. And I did note and was able to note that Japan was the first country which was consulted because my colleague, Mr. Kelley, and I left Washington on Sunday so we can be here first. Our colleagues who are going to Europe just started their consultations now.

QUESTION: Did you get an idea or just an impression that the Prime Minister is supporting the idea?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: I would not characterize the Prime Minister's views. He and Chief Cabinet Secretary, Fukuda, and give you those answers better than I. I was very pleased and I think our president will be pleased that the Prime Minister and the Chief Cabinet Secretary have heard from me today and we were able to discuss some of these matters and we look forward to discussing them again in the future.

QUESTION: You are obviously the first high ranking official coming from the United States to see.

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: It is my honor.

QUESTION: (continued) Mr. Koizumi. What was your impression?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Oh, I was very excited. He had a lot of energy. I said to him that I want to find his barber. I need to… Yes, he had a lot of energy. He seems just like our President Bush, full of energy, full of ideas. I expressed the view that when the two of them get together, it ought to be a very interesting meeting, indeed. I thank you all very much. Good night.

QUESTION: Lastly, did you make any kind of special request to the new Prime Minister?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: No, I...

QUESTION: Any hopes or any expectations

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: No, no. I did not make any special request. I just pointed out that we are going to do our best to be good partners in the alliance, both in security matters and economic matters. We noted that he had put a very bold speech forward yesterday in the Diet and the United States will do what we can to support his restructuring program. Thank you all very much. Good night.