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========================================================== Koizumi Cabinet E-mail Magazine No. 143 (June 10, 2004) ==========================================================
[Lion Heart -- Message from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi]
Sea Island Summit
On Tuesday, June 8, I arrived in Sea Island, a beautiful island facing the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Georgia in the United States of America. The island is endowed with abundant nature, and although temperatures can reach a hot and humid 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day, breezes off the ocean provide cooling respite in the morning and evening. This Sea Island Summit marks the 30th of such summit meetings. It all started during the oil crisis of the 1970s, when the leaders of the major industrialized nations assembled in Rambouillet in France to discuss the issues of the sudden surge in oil prices and the world economy. Thirty years have now passed and over that time the world has witnessed many events. The priority issue on the agenda for this Summit is for all countries to pool their resources in working towards stability in the Middle East and assistance for the reconstruction of Iraq. I had a working lunch with President George W. Bush immediately after my arrival at Sea Island. This provided the opportunity to discuss frankly such issues as security, terrorism, North Korea and Iraq. As for Iraq, while I have been in Sea Island, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on the reconstruction and transfer of sovereignty to Iraq. I believe that this resolution has enabled the creation of a solid foundation for international coordination. Japan will strive for the full reconstruction of Iraq by continuing the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces in a manner welcomed by the Iraqi Interim Government, and together with financial assistance, these shall serve as the two wheels on the axle of Japan's assistance to Iraq. I gave President Bush a detailed account of my latest visit to North Korea and made clear that there is no change in Japan's position on the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abduction of Japanese nationals by North Korea. To this, President Bush confirmed that the nuclear issue would be addressed through the Six-Party Talks process and expressed his strong support for Japan in its efforts in dealing with the abduction issue. We agreed also to stay in contact concerning the matter of Mr. Charles R. Jenkins, the husband of one of the returned abductees, Mrs. Hitomi Soga. During my time at the Sea Island Summit, I will also be holding bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom, President Jacques Chirac of France, His Majesty King Abdullah II Bin Al-Hussein of Jordan, and President Vladimir Putin of Russia. While clearly asserting Japan's position, I am determined to do my utmost to ensure the success of the Sea Island Summit, and ensure that it results in consensus among the Group of Eight (G8) countries to endeavor together towards the common goal of reconstruction of Iraq and peace in the Middle East and ultimately the peace and safety of the world.
* The title of this column "Lion Heart" is a reference to the Prime Minister's lion-like hairstyle and his unbending determination to advance structural reform.
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- First Day of the Sea Island Summit (June 8, 2004)
- Statement by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on the Enactment of
the Laws on Pension Reform (June 5, 2004)
- The Thirteenth Meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal
Policy (June 4, 2004)
- The Second Meeting of the Council on Measures for Society with
Decreasing Birthrate (June 3, 2004)
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