منحة
99
que lut sup Asia the Banner- Fores
ри
「54 -
CALL ON MR GOODLAD BY MR FUKUDA, POLITICAL DIRECTOR, JAPAN:
11 NOVEMBER 1993
MUD 021/2
RECE1
15 NOV 1993
о
APEC
INDE
1........ Mr Goodlad asked what outcome Japan expected from the forthcoming APEC meeting in Seattle. Mr Fukuda said that this was a first experiment. But the presence of so many Asia/Pacific leaders would make it an historic and unique one.
It would provide an opportunity to promote the continued constructive engagement of the US Government, now the Cold War was over and there were signs of US military disengagement, as a guarantee of regional prosperity and security. Given the differences between the countries which would be attending,
however, any future development of relations would have to gradual. The meeting would therefore be largely a stock-taking exercise. There might be some minor agreements, eg, on
promoting efforts to study the region. But there would be no lofty communiques or concrete decisions on organisation
changes.
North Korea
2. Mr Goodlad asked whether APEC might discuss North Korea. Mr Fukuda said that the issue was too delicate for plenary discussion, though he was sure it would surface in bilateral meetings. The next 6 weeks would be critical for North Korea: the position could deteriorate quickly. Japan would say nothing publicly about North Korea: statements could only infuriate the Government and give them excuses for aggressive activities. Mr Goodlad asked about Chinese attitudes. Mr Fukuda said that China could see the seriousness of the problem but did not like to be forced into action. Mr Goodlad asked about how the Chinese might be
stimulated to act. Mr Fukuda did not know. It depended on whether they realised that the overall stakes were so high that they could no longer ignore North Korea. Unfortunately, North Korea's intentions were opaque. Sometimes they
grudgingly yielded to pressure;
sometimes they rejected it.
1
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