*EPF403 07/27/00
Transcript: State Dept. on Albright ASEAN Meetings, Japan Trip
(Meetings in Japan could include talks on regional issues) (420)

U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright will travel to Japan July 29-31 following the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, according to State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher.

Albright hopes to meet with Japanese officials and American business leaders in Tokyo and will also be speaking in Miyazaki, Japan, on values and interests shared by the United States and Japan, Boucher told reporters at a July 26 press briefing from Honolulu, Hawaii en route to Bangkok.

"She expects to have discussions on a full range of issues including our strong bilateral relations, regional issues and developments on the Korean Peninsula," Boucher said.

Following is the State Department transcript of the press briefing:

(begin transcript)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
(Honolulu, Hawaii)

July 26, 2000

Press Briefing by Richard Boucher, Spokesman
Honolulu, Hawaii, en route Bangkok, Thailand

MR. BOUCHER: Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright will travel to Japan on Saturday after the ASEAN meetings. She will stay in Japan through Monday. She'll visit Tokyo and Miyazaki. She's delighted to be able to visit at this time after having to postpone her earlier trip for the Camp David Summit. She looks forward to meetings with Japanese leaders but we're still in the process of making the final arrangements.

Q: Why is she going to Miyazaki?

MR. BOUCHER: She is especially pleased that she is able to visit Miyazaki on Sunday. She will give a speech on shared interests and values between the U.S. and Japan.

Q: Will a building be named after her?

MR. BOUCHER: We understand that's the case. During her visit she will also meet with U.S. business leaders. She expects to have discussions on a full range of issues including our strong bilateral relations, regional issues and developments on the Korean Peninsula.

Q: Who is the most senior Japanese official she is likely to meet?

MR. BOUCHER: It's not set up yet.

Q: What is the reaction to Canada establishing relations with North Korea?

MR. BOUCHER: We welcome this development. The U.S. supports increased engagement with Pyongyang by other countries and efforts by North Korea to build constructive relations with others as it addresses the concerns of the international community.

(end transcript)

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