Interview by Ryuichi Teshima of NHK

MR. TESHIMA: Mr. Secretary, on October 9th, and Afghanistan will hold the first presidential election in its history. And what kind of cooperation would you like Japan should its Afghanistan holding the election?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Well, we have had discussions with our Japanese friends and, thus far, Japan has been very helpful in Afghanistan, helping build the road, the famous Kabul-Kandahar-Herat road, and in others ways, helpful to Afghanistan. I think that after this presidential election, all of those who, thus far, have supported the development of democracy in Afghanistan deserve to pat themselves on the back.

MR. TESHIMA: Mr. Secretary, Mr. Machimura has become the Japanese new Foreign Minister --

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Yes.

MR. TESHIMA: -- in Japan. Okay. What kind of his leadership would you like to see from Mr. Machimura for and regarding the role against terrorism, not only in Afghanistan, but also worldwide?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: First of all, we're very honored that the new Foreign Minister, Mr. Machimura, will be coming to visit with Secretary Powell on Thursday afternoon, here in Washington. We're very honored that this will be one of his, probably his first trip, and will look forward to those two establishing a very good relationship, and then I hope to see him the following week when I'm in Tokyo.

Thus far, Japan's efforts in the global war on terrorism have been extraordinarily noteworthy. The behavior and the activities of your forces, the Jieitai, in Samawah, are an example, I think, to all who take part in the global war on terrorism. Your forces are there making life better for Iraq and Iraqis, therefore, I think, or thereby, assuring that terrorism doesn't emanate from those spots.

Beyond that, Japan has cooperated with the United States on a number of issues. We exchange intelligence on these matters, and we certainly trust that that will continue. We're involved in the Proliferation Security Initiative and things of that nature together, and we'll look forward to even deepening that cooperation.

MR. TESHIMA: Mr. Secretary, what kind of cooperation would you like from Mr. Machimura, especially regarding the U.S.-Japan alliance, including military transformation?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Well, we'll want to gauge the Foreign Minister's views on the discussions, the famous DPRI discussions that we've had with Japan. We think it will take some time for him to formulate his views and we'll express ourselves to him. And I expect that, as always in the past, we'll be able to work out this transformation in a way that benefits the people of Japan and also benefits the alliance. And I think those are the two, sort of, key aspects or going-in positions of the United States. It will benefit the people of Japan and benefit the alliance.

MR. TESHIMA: Mr. Armitage, North Korea, he has refused to acknowledge international pressure to abandon the nuclear program. And why do you believe UN Security Council ought to get involved instead of in direct talks between North Korea and the United States?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Why you want them to be involved?

MR. TESHIMA: Yes.

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: I think there is a little hesitation right yet, as long as we've got a six-party process, although it's temporarily stalled. Apparently, the North Koreans want to try to outwait our elections. I have stated in the past, I think this is a miscalculation on their part, but we're in no hurry. We think that the five nations who have the greatest interest -- the United States, Japan, South Korea, China and Russia -- are all of one mind, and that mind is that we should have a denuclear Peninsula of Korea. And that being the case, there is no rush to go to the UN. We'll try to resolve this through the six-party talks.

MR. TESHIMA: Okay. Bush Administration is just sticking the six-party talks, and but why not dialogue with North Korea directly?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Well, within the six-party framework, we do have direct talks with them. So there is no reason to think that North Korea doesn't have every opportunity to fully explain themselves to us and we to them inside the umbrella of the six-party talks.

MR. TESHIMA: Yes. Mr. Secretary, President George Bush has said, United States would get involved if China change the status of Taiwan. And could you please explain how the United States will ensure maintain the peace in this region?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: I think all of us have the responsibility to maintain peace in the region: China, Japan, the United States, for that matter, Taiwan. Our position is very clear, and that is that we oppose any unilateral change in the status quo. That is very clear, and whether the status quo is changed from Taiwan or from the People's Republic of China. We think that good common sense with good judgment will eventually win out and there will be peace and stability maintained in the Straits of Taiwan.

MR. TESHIMA: And the -- you know, everybody in Japan knows very well, you know, you're a strong supporter, pro-, you know, Japanese in a permanent Security Council seat. But what kind of preparation do you think is necessary for Japan to become permanent member of UN Security Council?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Well, I think we have to gain -- the United States' position, as you say, is quite clear, we support this. We've got to make sure the other members of the Security Council support it as well, and I think these are the type of things that, among others, that I'll be talking to Vice Foreign Minister Takeuchi about when I meet with him next week for our strategic dialogue. It's very important. And I think the United States and Japan have a common view for this -- to obtain this seating on the Security Council.

MR. TESHIMA: And Mr. Secretary, it is last question and it is very specific. It is election season now. President George Bush will be -- had the difficulty of BSE disease between, you know, Tokyo and Washington, D.C. And what kind of (inaudible) in Koizumi's Administration, and do you think Japan should react to resolve?

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: Well, I know one thing. The whole question of BSE is not going to be resolved on an NHK TV broadcast.

MR. TESHIMA: Mm-hmm, yes.

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: This is why we have our agriculture ministers, our foreign ministers, to even the Prime Minister and the President, to discuss these matters together quietly and diplomatically to try to get a resolution. But it would be bad business I think to try to resolve it through the public on NHK.

MR. TESHIMA: Thank you very much, Mr. President. Thank you very much.

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE: It's good to be with you. Thank you.