The Hindu : 'Terrorism can't be justified whatever the motive'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 02, 2003

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International

'Terrorism can't be justified whatever the motive'

By P. S. Suryanarayana

Yoriko Kawaguchi

SINGAPORE JAN. 1. The Japanese Foreign Minister, Yoriko Kawaguchi, has indicated that she would like to give a push to her country's evolving ``global partnership'' with India. She would outline her thoughts in a policy speech during her planned visit to India early next week. In her exclusive written interview to The Hindu, she answered issues ranging from Indo-Japan ties to Tokyo's present strategic thinking that goes beyond Francis Fukuyama's ``end of history''. Excerpts:

Question: Madam Foreign Minister, will Japan treat India as a strategic partner in the context of the new perceptions that have emerged during the ongoing global war against terrorism?

Yoriko Kawaguchi: Yes. We see India as a strategic partner. India has steadfastly maintained democracy and rule of law, which Japan has also embraced. India, in the 21st century, has consolidated its position as a major player in the world, including in the fight against terrorism. India has long pursued ``Look East'' policy which culminated in the first ASEAN-India summit held last year (involving the Association of South East Asian Nations). India is the third largest economy in Asia after Japan and China, and (India) has pushed for economic reform and achieved sustained economic growth during the 1990s. India's rich human resources, demonstrated in the remarkable development of IT industry, will provide a major opportunity for further economic progress. All of these convince me (about) the importance of strengthening (the existing) ``India-Japan global partnership'' from (a) strategic point of view.

A relevant new perception across the global stage is that Pakistan may have played a critical role in promoting North Korea's programme of developing nuclear weapons. The Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, has sought to dispel this strong impression which is based on American ``intelligence'' findings. What is Japan's view?

North Korean nuclear weapon programme is a grave concern for the security of Japan. (This programme) also directly affects the peace and stability of (the) international community and (the) nuclear non-proliferation regime (as well). From this point of view, we are naturally concerned with a report related to North Korea's nuclear weapon programme.

India and the United States have successfully completed a programme of cooperation that was designed to ensure safe passage for high-value American cargo along the Straits of Malacca. Indian naval vessels provided escort for the ships notified by the U.S. under this arrangement. Do you think that countries such as Japan should requisition India's services for ensuing the safe passage of high-value merchandise along the Straits of Malacca?

First of all, we would like to express our deep appreciation for India's assistance to the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force vessels which have been operating in the Indian Ocean (area) in support of the international community's fight against terrorism. Defence cooperation between Japan and India has been advancing in recent years, and we believe (that) it is an opportune time (now) for Japan and India to build closer cooperative relations on such issues of common interest as safety and security of international maritime traffic and anti-piracy measures along the sea-lanes of communications, including (the) Indian Ocean and (the) Straits of Malacca.

We also welcome the development of India-U.S. defence cooperation.

Japan has already entered into a ``global partnership'' with India for dialogue on such issues as international terrorism as also piracy, besides global environment protection and other matters. What is the progress card? Do you think that the two countries should move towards more substantive cooperation?

In the field of anti-piracy efforts, for example, (the) Japanese Maritime Safety Agency and (the) Indian Coast Guard have been conducting combined exercises annually since November 2000. In terms of terrorism, Japan and India are unified in that terrorism cannot be justified whatever the motive or manifestation is. In this regard, Japan highly values the draft comprehensive convention on international terrorism, proposed by India, and supports its early adoption. During this (prospective) visit, I intend to have intensive discussions with Indian leaders on wide-ranging global issues to further promote ``global partnership'' between our two countries. I will further explain my thoughts on these issues in my policy speech to be delivered in Delhi.

Are you thinking of any new ideas or specific projects to advance the agenda of economic cooperation between India and Japan?

One of the outstanding examples of economic cooperation between Japan and India is the Delhi Metro project which partially opened (about) two weeks ago. Japan has so far provided more than $ 400-million loan for the project which is expected to make Delhi's traffic smoother and its sky clearer. We are proud of our assistance and hope that Delhiites and Indian people will love this new symbol of cooperation. I also hope that our broader economic relationship will flourish in the coming years.

Japan often sees Pakistan in the context of Tokyo's own equation with India. However, is there any move by Japan to consider imposing some form of sanctions on Pakistan in the new context of the North Korean nuclear issue?

As for the reports that Pakistan cooperated with North Korea on the North's nuclear weapon programme, we are naturally concerned with a (relevant) report related to North Korea's nuclear weapon programme. We will continue to observe this issue closely.

There is a view within some sections of the international community that Japan might feel compelled to abandon its salutary commitment to nuclear pacifism so as to counter North Korea's nuclear weapons programme at some stage. Will Japan ever reconsider its policy of not making nuclear weapons? Is Japan satisfied with America's protective nuclear umbrella?

We recognise that Japan's taking the option of possessing nuclear weapons would destabilise the international situations surrounding Japan and would bring no benefit (for) the purpose of maintaining Japan's peace and prosperity. Such option is also unthinkable, considering that the Japanese public has special sentiment arising from being the only one country which suffered nuclear attack (during World War II). Japan will, therefore, maintain its ``three non-nuclear principles'': not possessing nuclear weapons, not producing nuclear weapons, and not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons. Also, in relation to (Japan's) domestic laws and international obligations as a non-nuclear-weapons state under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Japan will not possess nuclear weapons.

Japan is emerging as a strategic player in carrying out research about missile defence possibilities. Japan has also sent a state-of-the-art naval vessel to the general area of the Indian Ocean for providing ``non-combat'' logistical back-up for the U.S. Have you taken steps to reassure major powers such as China and Russia?

Japan's basic security policy remains unchanged: maintaining the Japan-U.S. security arrangements, building up an appropriate defence capability, and conducting diplomatic efforts to ensure stability in the international environment surrounding Japan, while abiding by the basic

philosophy of maintaining an exclusively defence-oriented policy and (while) not becoming a military power in accordance with the Japanese Constitution. At the same time, Japan has passed several laws in order to respond effectively to the changes in the security situation and (so as) to participate, as a member of the international community, in international (peace) efforts within the context of (structured) international cooperation. Japan has maintained transparency of its national security policy and will continue to explain our positions to the countries concerned.

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