Remarks Upon the Presentation of the Treaty of Kanagawa

(9:00 a.m. EST)

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Thank you very much, Ambassador Foley.

Ambassador Kato, Director Carlin, Members of Congress -- I see my friend Gordon England, Secretary of the Navy, Assistant Secretary Jim Kelly, ladies and gentlemen, I can't tell you how pleased I am to be here today to represent both Secretary Powell and President Bush, in person that is, since the President has already so ably represented himself this morning.

For me, and I suspect for everyone else here today, this day and this moment is rich in the warm hues of history. Indeed, it is my distinct honor as a former officer in the United States Navy to have the opportunity to stand in the shoes of a full commodore. A hundred and fifty years ago, the black ships delivered Matthew Perry back to Edo Bay to sign the Treaty of Kanagawa. Today, a black Cadillac has delivered me here today to consign that treaty into your hands, Ambassador Kato.

I do want to thank the National Archives for providing both the text and the context for this moment. The recreation of the original treaty and the exhibit we will soon view provide a vivid reminder of the deep roots of the relationship between the United States and Japan, as well as the full flowering we see in that friendship today. I am delighted that Speaker Hastert is prepared to capture the weight of that heavy metaphor a little later this morning when he and Ambassador Kato plant that cherry tree on the Capitol grounds -- an especially appropriate act in this season of Sakura, or the Cherry Blossom Festival, as we locals call it.

Of course, this gesture is also appropriate when we consider that a Japanese delegation came to Capitol Hill just a few short years after Commodore Perry returned from Japan. "We visited Congress this afternoon," wrote a dignitary from that delegation. "One of the members was on his feet haranguing at the top of his voice, gesticulating wildly like a madman." "The scene," he added, "resembled somewhat our fish market." (Laughter.)

Ladies and gentlemen, in the long sweep of history, some things never change. (Laughter. ) Speaker Hastert's gracious comments earlier this morning notwithstanding, of course.

In all seriousness, in the contours of our past we often find the shape of our future. So it matters today that we celebrate the origins of our alliance. It matters that we all take this moment to reflect on how those origins have helped script this moment.

As you've heard this morning, even a century and a half ago, the United States saw itself as a Pacific power and recognized the need for relations with Japan as a nation of such significance in the region and beyond. And despite a 250-year history of isolationist policy, Japan's leadership was well aware of the changes taking place across Asia and the need to adapt as a matter of national survival.

And so the Treaty of Peace and Amity was a document viewed in its time with both hope as well as apprehension; and indeed, over the years, this coming together of our countries, the collision of our cultures, it has changed us both, greatly enriched the lives of our peoples, and at times brought us turbulence and even tragedy.

And while this rich history does matter, the truth is that we can only look forward from this moment. And what a remarkable moment it is. Today, relations between the United States and Japan are not only strong, they are based on a solid foundation of mutual appreciation for our differences and a deep awareness of our commonly held values and our commonly held commitments. Moreover, the strength of our nations and of our alliance is today helping to shape the future not only for our own people, but for people all over the world, from the tiny teardrop of Sri Lanka to the devastated town of Samawa. And so as we look back to 1854, I believe it is fair to say that in 2004 we are seeing the coming of age of Japan and the United States as unique players on the world stage and as true partners.

Ambassador Kato, I am deeply honored today to present you with this document. Indeed, we could not ask for a more worthy recipient or a better friend to America. Ryozo Kato is one of Japan's most distinguished, as well as most skilled, diplomats. For four decades, he has served his country all over the world and at home, including in such key leadership positions as Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs. And it was certainly our good fortune that he arrived in his current post when he did, November 2001, just when the new strength of the U.S.-Japan relationship would be tested. And in the three years since, our alliance has not only been equal to the test, it has grown, it has matured, and we owe a great deal of that credit to Ambassador Kato.

Ryozo, would you join me for a second?

Sir, thank you for all you've done to deepen the ties between our nations in a time of extraordinary challenge and opportunity. And I present this document, I present this document to you, Ambassador, so that it may serve as a material witness of the past, to the distance our two nations have traveled in these 150 years, and to the bright horizon line of the future we face together.

(Applause.)
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