TRANSCRIPT OF INTERVIEW WITH HATSUHISA TAKASHIMA, NHK
IMPERIAL HOTEL, TOKYO 17 SEPTEMBER 1990
E OE PROOF ONLY
TARASHIMA: Prime Minister, thank you very much f or your
time. PM: My pleasure.
TAXASHIMA: Firstly I'd like to ask your view on the
Middle East and the Gulf situation. Australia has sent
two frigates there and actively participating in the
naval blockade. How effective would you see the naval
blockade against Iraq is now?
PM: It's very effective. Firstly there is no oil
getting out of Iraq. The pipelines are closed and no
tankers are getting out. So the naval blockade is very
effective indeed. We trust that it will have the effect
which we want it to of peacefully bringing the leadership
of Iraq to its senses.
TAXASHIMA: So far Saddam Hussein hasn't shown any sign
of pulling out his forces from Kuwait or releasing all
the hostages from his country.
PM: No, to this point that is true. There hasn't been
what you would expect to be a rational response to the
facts. Any rational assessment should lead the
leadership of Iraq to understand these things. Firstly
that almost universally the world has condemned the
attempt to annex Kuwait. Secondly, arnd which follows
from the first, the belief that Iraqi forces should
withdraw. And thirdly that the way events have developed
are such that Iraq simply cannot win its objectives. I
would put the fourth point which we have hoped would've
been conveyed and understood by Iraq, that if the
leadership of Iraq believes that they have some
legitimate grievances against Kuwait, be they territorial
or any other form, then there exists within the
international framework mechanisms like the International
Court of Justice where those grievances, if they believe
they exist, can be peacefully settled.
TAKASHIMA: Would you think that some additional measures
would be necessary to let Saddam Hussein realise those
points you have just raised?
PM: Well we hope that nothing more will be required.
Certainly I know that rnot only is it the attitude of
Australia but I know that it is the attitude for instance
of the United States and of the Western European powers
that they don't want to take any additional measures of
force. We're all committed to a peaceful resolution of
this matter. But I don't think there is very much more
that the world can do to convey the messages that I have
put to you as being the messages that the world wants to
convey to Saddam Hussein.
TAKASHIMA: This is rather hypothetical but still
possible situation-that if the United Nations Security
Council decides to put some more pressure against Iraq by
using additional measures, then what would the Australian
Government do to contribute to the additional measures?
PM: We have, from the very beginning, not only made our
own decisions but we have continuously expressed the view
that we want to have a position where the United Nations
is endorsing action that's taken. And of course
Resolution 665 of the Security Council gave that sort of
cover. Now being ardent supporters of the United
Nations, if it were to make a decision that further
action was required, Australia would be supportive of
that. TAKASHIMA: Now let me turn to the Japanese contribution
and your view on that. You have once mentioned the
possibility of the Japanese Government sending mine
sweepers to the area. Do you still have the idea, or
what PM: Let me make it clear. I didn't raise the questi on
of mine sweepers. There had been speculation in the
media in my country and around the world, there had been
some speculation that the Japanese may be thinking of
that. Now I want to make these points clear. My
fundamental point is that what Japan does is a matter for
Japan. The second point I make is that I appreciate the
significant contributions that Japan has already made
two billion dollars in support for forces that have been
deployed and two billion dollars in very highly
concessional loans for Jordan, Egypt and Turkey and a
medical team of some one hundred. Those are very
significant contributions. The third point I make is
that, and that I'wanted to convey to Japan, having said
that their decisions are a matter for Japan, I'd simply
said if, and knowing that this is a sensitive matter in
Japan whether there should be any sort of military
contribution, I simply said that if Japan makes the
decision, were to make that decision then from
Australia's point of view we would understand that. But
my pre-eminent point is what Japan does is a matter for
Japan.
my pre-eminent point is what Japan does is a matter for
Japan. TAKASHIMA: You used the word understand. But is there
any special sentiment within the Australian people about
the Japanese involvement militarily or whatever fashion
to the peacekeeping effort of that sort?
PM: We understand the sensitivities . that exist within
Japan on this question. We know that it is a matter of
significant debate within Japan. It would be
presumptuous for me as Prime Minister or the Australian
people to attempt to intervene in what is
quintessentially a matter for Japan. I simply want it
understood that we a) believe that Japan must make its
own decision, but b) we will accept and understand the
decision that Japan makes. But it's very important that
Japan understands that. It's not for me or for Australia
to tell Japan, or attempt to tell Japan what to do.
TAKASHIMA: There are some possible sequences like
Cambodian peace-keeping future or near future. So do
you mean that Australia would have no objection if Japan
decides by itself to participate peace-keeping
PM: I do mean that. I do mean that. You see Australia
has had now quite a deal of experience in peace-keeping
forces under the umbrella of the United Nations. Our
most recent experience of course has been in Namibia. I
would like to preface my answer in regard to Cambodia
which you raised by saying how much we in Australia
appreciate the contribution that Japan has made to the
process of trying to reach a resolution of the tragedy of
Cambodia. -Indeed the Tokyo meeting was an important part
of that prolonged process. As you know, Australia has
played a very significant role in the final process that
was adopted by the Permanent Five of the United Nations.
Now I have made it clear as far as Australia is concerned
that, if as that implementation of that plan develops,
that there will be a significant United Nations peacekeeping
presence in Cambodia then Australia will play its
part. If Japan makes the decision that it would wish to
be part of that process, we would welcome it.
TAKASHIHA: Would you raise that question during the
meeting, your meeting with Prime Minister Kaifu, which is
on the 20th I believe?
PM: Yes, well with respect I don't want to pre-empt by
public observation what I will be discussing with the
Prime Minister, as you'll appreciate. He is entitled to
hear from me directly whatever it is that I have to say.
TAKASHIMA: The next question is a bit broader one. The
Russian foreign minister, Mr Shevadnaze when he visited
Vladivostock recently, proposed having an all-Asian and
Pacific foreign ministers meeting in two years' time in
Vladivostock to establish a new framework of security and
PM: I think these things need to be said. Firstly
Australia has not only welcomed but has been a part of
the process whereby the atmosphere and the relationships
between the superpowers has changed from one of
antagonism to a constructive relationship which has been
important a) not only in getting that better relationship
between the superpowers but b) as you'll appreciate, as
being significant in assisting in the resolution of
regional conflicts, for example Namibia that I referred
to before. That would not have happened if it hadn't
been for the relaxation of tension between the
superpowers. So Australia's position has been one and
will always be one-of trying to get an atmosphere of
constructive negotiations. Now having said that, we
welcome the attitude of the Soviet Union of saying well
what we have achieved in Europe we would like to see
reflected also in an improved relationship in this
region. But I think it's too early to be absolutely
precise about a formula. We understand, if I may so, in
particular the sensitivities of Japan. You have a
particular long-running issue of dispute with the Soviet
Union in regard to the islands. It would be presumptuous
for me to say to Japan what should be the framework
within which for instance you would wish to resolve your
particular issues of dispute with the Soviet Union. So I
don't want at this point to put a big tick against a
particular structure. But I do want to put a very big
tick against the concept of constructive dialogue and
discussion. But at all points as far as Australia is
concerned we will be involved in discussions with our
friends, including Japan, as to what our attitude should
be.
TAKASHIMA: About the relations between our two
countries, Japan and Australia, especially in economic
terms. There are several frictions and some sort of
dispute of Japanese buying up Australian land and real
estate and so forth. How much are you satisfied with the
Japanese-Australian relations especially in economic
terms? PM: Let me say generally speaking the relationship
between Japan and Australia in economic and commercial
terms is good. I would say probably better than it's
ever been. In significant measure this has been a
reflection of the liberalisation policy of Japan in
regard to imports. We are now, not only in regard to our
traditional area of imports but also in regard to
manufactured imports there's been a significant increase.
We think there are more things to be done. But the
actual relationship is good and we have as a measure of
the importance of our trade, it's been in the last year
about $ 23 billion. So it's significant and it's
improving. Now let me go specifically to the question
you raise about Japanese investment in Australia. The
first point I want to make is that we welcome Japanese
investment in Australia. I take this opportunity on your
program of saying to the people of Japan that if they see
expressions from Australia from some small groups of
resentment and opposition, that does not represent the
attitude of the Australian Government or the Australian
people as a whole. We regard Japan as an important
economic partner, not only a trading partner but also in
the area of economic enterprise in Australia. Having
said that, let me make this point, that in the last year
Japanese investment in Australia was at the order of just
over $ 9 billion. Now 92 per cent, 92 per cent of that
investment was in real estate and tourism. Now we
welcome investment in real estate and in tourism but what
I want to see is a diversification of Japanese investment
so that we get more investment into manufacturing. The
big challenge confronting Australia is that we diversify
our economy, we will continue to rely to a very large
extent on our agriculture production and our exports of
minerals. But we want also to get a larger manufacturing
base within which science and technology based industries
will become stronger. We have the position in Australia
that we have a very strong scientific base but we haven't
been clever and successful in commercialising, if I can
put it that way, our basic research. Where we think
there is great scope for increased economic co-operation
is in that area. So we would like to see that
diversification of Japanese investment.
TAKASHIMA: Prime Minister you mentioned the
diversification of Australian industry, and you
specifically mentioned about the science and technology.
What is actually the specific, specialised field or area
of science and technology you are envisaging as a
possible area in which Japan and Australia can work
together? PM: I don't want to be exclusive or exhaustive. But for
instance one area in which we have developed a
considerable degree of expertise, as certainly has Japan,
is in the area of telecommunications and information
technology. So we think there is considerable scope for
co-operation there. Another area is food processing
which is not something that is normally associated with
science and technology. But in this world today the ways
in which we can most effectively add value to our basic
materials is something that's important. So that would
go into the areas of food and wool and textiles, those
areas. I think another very important area is in the
area of environmentally benign technologies and one
example there is, for instance, there has been
co-operation between Japan and Australia in the area of
developing brown coal and getting clean coal
technologies. Down in our La Trobe Valley I think now
something up to about a half a billion dollars has been
spent in that area. Now, increasingly in your country
and mine and around the world people are going to demand
more environmentally benign technologies, and I think
that's an area in particular where the opportunities for
co-operation between us are tremendous.
6
TAKASHIMA: Finally, the reason why you are here is to
attract Melbourne as a possible venue for the 1996
Olympics. How confident are you to make the successful
bid for that?
PM: I'm not brash about it and we haven't come here to
knock other bidders. I think that the International
Olympic Committee is in the fortunate position of having
a number of cities with good qualifications. I simply
want to say in regard to Melbourne's bid that I think
intrinsically by which I mean the quality of
facilities, the centrality and co-location of facilities,
the existence of all the important infrastructure of
transport and communications, also the commitment of all
levels of government and a sports-mad city as Melbourne
is, and also in terms of security, and also in terms of a
clean environment I think when you take all those
intrinsics, that Melbourne has the best case. We hope
that by this time tomorrow night that that's the way it
will pan out. Anyway, we'll be giving it our best shot.
TAKASHIMA: Thank you very much Prime Minister.
PM: Thank you.
ends