Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the President's Meeting With Foreign Minister Taro Nakayama of Japan

The President met with Foreign Minister Nakayama for approximately one-half hour this afternoon. The Foreign Minister presented Prime Minister Kaifu's greeting to the President and reaffirmed Japan's commitment to the U.N. Security Council resolutions calling for the complete, immediate, and unconditional withdrawal of Iraq from Kuwait. The President noted that the coalition must remain steadfast and implement the U.N. resolutions. The President strongly urged Japan to provide the maximum cooperation possible in the Gulf.

The Foreign Minister noted that Japan, as an ally and good friend, would fully support the United States as the crisis continues to unfold. The Foreign Minister announced that Japan was assuming all of the start-up costs for the U.N. refugee program being put in place, on a contingency basis, in the Middle East.

The President reaffirmed his intention to visit Japan as soon as circumstances permit.