*EPF103 05/15/00
Text: Albright on Death of Former Japanese Prime Minister Obuchi
(Recalls Obuchi's diplomatic efforts, work on economy) (410)

The death of former Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi is a great loss, not only for the people of Japan and the United States, but for the people of the world, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said in a May 14 statement.

Albright credited Obuchi with strengthening Japan's ties with the United States, the Republic of Korea, China, and Russia and recalled his efforts to restore health to the Japanese economy and to resolve the Asian financial crisis.

Albright took especial note of Obuchi's strong personal interest in the G-8 Summit to be held in July in Okinawa and expressed her confidence that President Clinton and other world leaders will "seek to make the Okinawa Summit a great success, in fond memory and admiration for a fine leader and good friend."

Following is the State Department text of Albright's statement:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Press Spokesman

May 14, 2000

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE K. ALBRIGHT

Japan: Death of Former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi

I was deeply saddened by the death of former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi on Sunday, May 14.

Mr. Obuchi was committed both as prime minister and, earlier, as foreign minister to strengthening the U.S.-Japan relationship, and thanks largely to his efforts our ties have never been better. He also strengthened Japan's relations with the Republic of Korea, China and Russia and reopened a dialogue with North Korea. He worked tirelessly to restore health to the Japanese economy and joined with the US and others to resolve the Asian financial crisis. Mr. Obuchi achieved an impressive foreign policy and domestic record in a short period.

I would like to note especially his strong personal interest in the G-8 Summit to be held in July in Okinawa. President Clinton and other world leaders will, I know, seek to make the Okinawa Summit a great success, in fond memory and admiration for a fine leader and good friend.

His passing is a great loss, not only for the people of Japan and the United States, but for the people of the world. Most of all, I offer my heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. Chizuko Obuchi and their family.

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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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