*EPF102 07/31/00
Transcript: Secretary Albright July 30 Remarks in Miyazaki, Japan
(Albright commends U.S.-Japan cooperation on global issues) (3090)

The United States and Japan have become "true allies and friends" through a shared interest in economic prosperity and international stability, U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright told students gathered July 30 to name an auditorium in Miyazaki, Japan in her honor.

Japan's increased openness to foreign direct investment and the recent bilateral telecommunications agreement with the United States will help the Japanese economy to "recapture its dynamism and resume its sustained growth," the Secretary said from Albright Hall.

"As America's enormous trade deficit with Japan reflects, we still have work to do, but we are moving in the right direction," she said.

Citing Japan's efforts in hosting the recent G-8 summit; sponsoring poorer nations at the Community of Democracies meeting in Poland; and assisting Cambodia, Burma and Indonesia, Albright called Japan "East Asia's leading democracy and a major influence on nations throughout and beyond the region."

The Secretary of State also remarked on the importance of close cooperation in providing common defense; ensuring regional security; supporting peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the Middle East; and countering terrorism, disease, crime, and environmental degradation.

"Like the gardens of Miyazaki, our actions taken together form a pattern. And the pattern of support for democracy, development and human dignity is brightening the world," Albright said.

Following is the State Department transcript of Albright's remarks:

(begin transcript)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
(Tokyo, Japan)

July 30, 2000

Remarks by Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright
At the Dedication of Albright Hall
Followed by Q&A with Students

Citizens Plaza
Miyazaki, Japan

July 30, 2000

Thank you Marina, for that wonderful welcome. Your English is so good, that I feel guilty that I cannot deliver my remarks in Japanese. Perhaps, as your teachers might say, I need to study harder.

Mayor Tsumura, Ambassador Yanai, Ambassador Foley, teachers and students, guests and friends, thank you. I am delighted to be here -- at long last and I am extremely grateful to you for accepting my apology for being late. And for the incredible honor you have bestowed upon me in choosing the name for this wonderful auditorium within this magnificent new facility.

Frankly, I've never had anything named after me before so thank you, very, very much. In the United States, auditoriums are usually named after people who have died and I'm thankful that you did not choose to make that a requirement in this case.

One of the reasons I wanted so much to come to Miyazaki is that I've been told this is one of the most beautiful places on earth. And I have, of course, just arrived, but from what I saw during the flight in and during the drive to this Hall, I know that what I was told was true.

You have roads that are prettier than many countries' parks. All of Japan should be proud of the efforts you've made to preserve and dramatize the natural wonders of your environment.

I also wanted to come here today because I knew I would have a chance to speak to students. I have five grandchildren now and I need some real experts who can explain to me what Pokemon is really all about.

I am particularly delighted to see so many students here from localities that have sister-city relationships with counterparts in the United States. These ties reflect the closeness that has developed between the American and Japanese peoples over the past five decades.

This did not happen because our societies are the same. In fact, we have different histories, speak different languages, honor different traditions, and observe different customs. Still, we have become true allies and friends.

The reason is partly due to the basic interests we share. For example, in today's world, the line between economic competition and partnership for nations such as America and Japan have blurred. We each have a huge stake in the prosperity of the other. And that's why we both want Japan's economy to recapture its dynamism and resume its sustained growth.

Your nation's increased openness to foreign direct investment is a key step in the right direction. So is the bilateral telecommunications agreement our two nations just reached.

This agreement will create new opportunities for United States firms. It will also make it less expensive for students in Japan to get access to the Internet. This will help you to learn and, as you grow older, to compete in the world marketplace.

A healthy and balanced economic relationship between the United States and Japan is essential to our future prosperity. And because we have the world's two largest economies, it is also a vital part of any strategy for preventing another international financial crisis. As America's enormous trade deficit with Japan reflects, we still have work to do, but we are moving in the right direction.

We have also made substantial progress in adapting our security relationship.

In this connection, let me say that President Clinton's recent remarks at the Peace Park in Okinawa reflect fully the views and attitudes of the American people.

Together, over the years, we have learned the hard lessons of war and come to understand the responsibilities of peace. Our Alliance is a great source of strength to us and of confidence to people throughout the region. We must work together to preserve it and sustain it.

And let me be clear. The United States takes its obligations as an ally very seriously.

We are committed to being good neighbors and guests and we want to work closely and cooperatively with you to meet our common defense needs.

Overall, I think it is fair to say that U.S.-Japan cooperation on economic and security matters is as good as it has ever been. But this still does not encompass the full range and potential of our relationship.

If I were to ask the students here and also those in Miyazaki's sister cities in the United States to describe the kind of world in which they would like to raise their own families, I think the answers would be very similar.

Americans and Japanese both want to see a world in which people from all backgrounds and cultures are able to live together in peace, and in which the democratic tide remains a rising tide in Asia and around the globe.

Our citizens on both sides of the Pacific are interested in helping those who are disadvantaged to overcome poverty, ignorance and disease so that the benefits of globalization are enjoyed by the many, not just the few. And Marina's dedication to wanting to help people in poverty, I think is just an example of the kinds of things that you want to do, and we all want to do together.

Both our peoples want to act now, before it is too late, to preserve the health of our air, land and water. And we each understand the need to cooperate across borders to counter dangers that respect no borders, such as terrorism, disease and crime.

This shared vision of the future is what your former Prime Minister Obuchi had in mind when he called upon the United States and Japan to center our relations around shared values.

But the late Prime Minister knew, as do we all, that the kind of world we seek is not attainable through beliefs alone. We must be more than dreamers; we must be doers and that is why it is so important that the United States and Japan, and our partners, take bold actions in support of a freer, more prosperous and secure world. And we are.

For example, at the recent G-8 Summit, which was so successfully hosted by Japan, our leaders adopted the Okinawa Charter. This document sets out principles for creating sustainable economic growth and building strong and inclusive societies.

Among the actions called for are measures to reduce the crushing debt burdens that are holding back the world's poorest countries, so that they may invest more in the education of their children, and in training and health care for their citizens.

We are committed, as well, to helping people in the developing world gain access to the new information technologies, so they are not left behind as others move ahead.

A second example of our nations working together was at the Community of Democracies meeting held last month in Poland. This was an unprecedented gathering of more than 100 nations, brought together because of a common pledge to follow the democratic path.

The United States helped organize the meeting. Japan helped pay for representatives from poorer countries to attend.

Our purpose was to help the many nations around the world that are trying to make a transition from dictatorship to democracy. We want them to succeed, but this can be hard, for many are being held back by conflicts, corruption and crime.

The community of democracies is coming together, in the face of these threats, to strengthen democratic institutions and promote the values of freedom. Japan
has a central part to play, for it is East Asia's leading democracy and a major influence on nations throughout and beyond the region.

We saw this early last decade when Japan led the way in developing a formula for democratic elections in Cambodia. We've seen it more recently in East Timor where Japan has provided generous support to the United Nations peace operation. And, we see it now as Japan assists Indonesia in its struggle for political effectiveness and economic recovery.

And the United States looks to Japan to play a principled role, with the United Nations and with us, in encouraging a democratic opening in Burma, where the authorities are systematically denying the political and human rights of their people.

A unique and very successful reflection of U.S.-Japanese cooperation is our Common Agenda on global issues.

Since 1993, we have been coordinating on joint projects ranging from the fight against polio and AIDS, to understanding and limiting the harmful impacts of global climate change. These efforts vary widely in the specific problems they address and the parts of the world they effect, but each is a product of the values we share, and each is making a real difference in people's lives.

The United States and Japan also work together politically on behalf of international stability and peace.

As you know, the reason I was late in coming to Miyazaki is because I was with President Clinton, Israeli Prime Minister Barak and PLO Chairman Arafat at the Middle East peace talks in Camp David.

Ultimately, those talks did not produce an agreement. But the Israeli and Palestinian leaders have not yet given up the pursuit of peace, and neither should we. After so much progress on key issues, it's unthinkable that the parties would now simply abandon the path to reconciliation and accept a descent into renewed bitterness and strife.

The United States hopes the Middle East leaders -- and their constituents -- will use the current pause to reassess and prepare for a new and successful round of talks. If so, the United States will be there to assist. And we will be stronger knowing that our efforts will be reinforced by other nations who are committed to peace, including Japan.

Our joint backing for peace is also reflected in our support for progress towards lasting stability on the Korean Peninsula.

This past week, Foreign Minister Kono and I had separate, initial meetings with our counterpart from the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea.

This might not seem like much to the students here today, but consider that the two Koreas never really made peace after the war between them ended; and that the war began when I was 13 years old and you know how old I am.

Past differences and old habits will not be forgotten overnight. But we are encouraged by North Korea's decision to broaden its diplomatic contacts. We support the intensified dialogue that is now taking place between South Korea and the North. And we will work, in cooperation with the government in Seoul, to ensure long-term stability on the Korean Peninsula.

The actions and initiatives I have cited today may appear unrelated to each other, but they are not. For they are all part of a larger effort to make it possible for young people not only in Japan and America, but everywhere, to grow up and grow old in freedom, prosperity and peace.

This cannot be accomplished through any single proposal or program, treaty or triumph. It cannot be achieved by any one government or even a group of governments. It requires the continuous efforts of us all, young and old, in and outside public service, from all points of the compass, and from every walk of life.

It is said that flowers never cease to bloom in Miyazaki. And anyone who has visited here can see that it is not the single flower standing alone, but rather the pattern made by the many different flowers blooming together that is so beautiful.

The United States and Japan are vastly different nations, but with common interests and shared values. Together, we are acting around the world, through many organizations, in many fields, for a multitude of beneficial purposes.

Like the gardens of Miyazaki, our actions taken together form a pattern. And the pattern of support for democracy, development and human dignity is brightening the world.

To the people of Japan, I want to express my admiration for your commitment to our alliance, and for the positive role you are playing in so many areas.

And to the people of Miyazaki and especially the students here today, I say thank you very much for your understanding, for allowing me to visit even though I'm so late, and for the opportunity to see this beautiful part of the world that you call home.

After today, and the naming of this auditorium, I hope you will forgive me if I, too, begin to think of Miyazaki -- as home.

Thank you all again, very, very much and I am very glad that I finally made it.

QUESTION: What do you think is the most important work that you have done and what were some of the most difficult times if you can just tell me as much as you can, I will be very pleased. Thank you.

SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: Well, it's very hard to really find one specific thing that I am proudest of but in a general way, what I have tried very hard to do is to make people understand that conflicts that have taken place as a result of ethnic questions are unnecessary and very hurtful in the 21st century and that what has to happen is that those conflicts should be dealt with peacefully. And I have spent a lot of time explaining people to each other and explaining that we have more similarities than differences and that democracy is the best way to deal with those kinds of issues. Societies where people are allowed to express their different views and are not punished for it and are able to understand each other better by talking to each other about all of that. The hardest things I have had to do have had to be when it's necessary to deploy force in order to sometimes get the views across. And I think the hardest time I spent actually, had to do with the war in Kosovo, which was a little bit over a year ago, when President Milosevic did not see any value in doing things peacefully. We had to send airplanes in to bomb. And, while I know we did the right thing, thinking about the people that were hurt as a result of it, civilians that were not responsible for the stupidity of their leader. And the danger that it put American pilots in I think was the most difficult. I would hope that as we look at the 21st century and you are the 21st century, I am not, you are, that you see the 21st century as the century of democracy. And with it that democracy brings tolerance.

Q: What made you become a politician? What was the opportunity that made you become a politician?

SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: Well, let me tell you something unusual. I was not born in the United States as was said. I came to the United States when I was 11 years old. And I came from Czechoslovakia, a country that had been taken over by communism and I was incredibly grateful to the United States for having made it possible for a foreign girl to be raised as a free American. My father was a diplomat. And in many families people talk about sports all the time but in my house we talked about foreign policy all of the time. And so I grew up loving foreign policy and thinking that the most interesting thing to do would be to have something to do with foreign policy. Now as Marina said, I spent the first part of my life going to school, but having three daughters, getting my Ph.D., and it wasn't until I was 39 that I had a real job. I did a lot of other things. I so admired the spirit of volunteerism that is here that Miyazaki has talked about and Marina has talked about and so I did a lot of volunteer work. But then what I really wanted to do was to be a public servant. Because I believe that it is a wonderful way to repay a country that has done so much for my family and has done so much for the world. I really believe in America and I hope you all in the same way believe in Japan and know that through service to your country you are not only serving your fellow citizens but all of the people in the world. I am so grateful for the opportunities that have been given to me that allow me to come to Japan to meet with you and have a hall named after me and then be able to talk about how important public service and volunteerism really is. Thank you for asking that question.

(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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