Newsletter No. 153
January 7, 2006

 

On the 5th, Foreign Minister Taro Aso held talks in Islamabad with Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri as planned, and also paid courtesy visits to the President and Prime Minister. There were no surprises.

Aso asked for more information about A. Q. Khan, the Pakistani nuclear scientist who leaked some secrets to North Korea and elsewhere, and the Pakistani side insisted that his underground network had been “put out of business” by energetic action in Islamabad.

It was also noted by the Japan Times that the Indus Highway between Karachi and Peshawar, which is being constructed with Japanese assistance, is also being called the “Pakistan-Japan Friendship Highway.”

MOFA’s summary of the talks was somewhat more detailed than most of the media reports:

 

JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER ASO’S VISIT TO PAKISTAN
January 5, 2006

BILATERAL RELATIONS

Basic Policy: Both sides confirmed their desire to make a constructive progress in their bilateral relations, based on "Japan-Pakistan Joint Declarations," which was agreed by the leaders of Japan and Pakistan on the occasion of Prime Minister Koizumi's visit to Pakistan last year.

Earthquake Assistance: Minister Aso expressed Japan's intention, as a Pakistan's friend in Asia, to continue its support for the disaster caused by the large-scale earthquake last October, and announced an additional assistance, which includes the bilateral grant assistance in the amount of 4 billion yen (about 35 million US dollars), and the grant assistance through international organizations in the amount of 20 million US dollars. Furthermore, Minister Aso expressed Japan's willingness to rehabilitate the destroyed bridges along the Jhelum Valley Road, rehabilitate the city of Muzaffarabad, and to dispatch earthquake experts. Minister Aso also mentioned "Camp Japan," as one of the important relief activities conducted by Japanese NGOs. These new pledges, together with the assistance already committed, amount to about 200 million US dollars. Minister Aso and Mr. Kasuri signed the Exchange of Notes regarding Japan's assistance of yen loan, amounting to 100 million dollars, and on the grant aid for the project for the enhancement of training capabilities of Construction Machinery Training Institute.

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

Counterterrorism

Minister Aso conveyed to Minister Kasuri that he held high regard for President Musharraf's policy of "Enlightened Moderation" and that he would continue to support it. Japan thinks highly of the Pakistani efforts in fighting against terrorism. The Pakistani side expresses their appreciation for Japan's assistance to Pakistan, including the provision of fuel oil by vessels of Maritime Self Defense Force of Japan to the Pakistani naval ships participating in Operation Enduring Freedom-Maritime Interdiction Operation in the Indian Ocean (OEF-MIO). Both sides agreed to hold a Counter Terrorism Consultation in order to enhance exchange of information and their cooperation in counter-terrorism. Minister Aso announced Japan's plan to dispatch a mission in the near future to conduct a survey on the National Technical, Educational, and Vocational Training Authority (NTEVTA), which the Pakistani government strives to establish as soon as possible.

Non-Proliferation: Both sides confirmed that they shared the following understandings. Disarmament and non-proliferation are pressing issues for the international community. Ultimately, nuclear weapons should be abolished. Pakistan's decision to observe unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing will be continued. Mr. Aso restated Japan's position on NPT and CTBT. Both sides agreed on the importance of dealing with the spillage of nuclear related materials and technologies. They also confirmed their cooperation for enhancing Pakistan's capability in the area of export control. In order to tackle these issues, both side agreed to hold, in the context of the Security Dialogue, the Disarmament and Non-proliferation Consultations at the Director-General level.

REGIONAL ISSUES

SAARC: Mr. Kasuri welcomed Japan's participation in SAARC as an observer. Minister Aso explained that Japan would actively cooperate with SAARC through Japan's participation as an observer.

Afghanistan: Minister Aso recognized the vital role that Pakistan plays for the stable development of Afghanistan, and he appreciated Pakistan's efforts in this regard. Minister Kasuri responded that Pakistan would continue its cooperation for the stability and rehabilitation of Afghanistan.

IndoPak Relations: Minister Aso welcomed the recent positive development in the India-Pakistan relations, including the continuation of dialogue and the cooperation through relief activities following the earthquake. He also stated that Japan would rehabilitate some bridges which had been destroyed along Jhelum Valley Road, a bus route connecting the two sides. He hopes that this project will be helpful for the further promotion of human exchanges between India and Pakistan.