Top > What's up around the Prime Minister > December, 2004

Japan-Timor-Leste Summit Meeting Monday, December 13, 2004 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held a meeting with Mr. Xanana Gusmao, the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. At the meeting, the two leaders discussed the activities of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) in Timor-Leste and the United Nations (UN) reform. With regard to the dispatch of SDF members to Timor-Leste, Prime Minister Koizumi said, "I have received many reports from the members of the SDF who were deployed to Timor-Leste that they are satisfied having worked in Timor-Leste with pride and a sense of mission. I wish for the people of Timor-Leste to now engage in efforts with the mentality that they will build their own nation by themselves." As for the UN reform, Prime Minister Koizumi said, "I am working hard keeping with my belief that if not now, the reform will not be realized for a long time. I would be grateful if Timor-Leste, as a new member of the UN, cooperated with Japan on this regard." In response to these comments, President Gusmao said, "I would like to offer my gratitude for Japan holding the First Donor's Meeting for East Timor in Tokyo and henceforth providing large amounts of assistance to our country. I would like to ask for the continued support of Japan and the international community. I would also appreciate the activities of the SDF, not only for their construction of roads and bridges, but also for the equipment that they have left behind for us after completion of their mission as these have contributed to human resources development." Concerning the UN reform, President Gusmao said, "Reflecting on our own experience, Timor-Leste is and will be in full support of Japan. During my visit to the United States of America prior to my visit here, I stressed the need for the UN reform to both President George W. Bush of the United States and Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan."