*EPF108 10/23/00
Text: U.S. and Japan Conclude Second Disarmament Meeting
(October 20 meeting showed mutual interest in non-proliferation) (300)

The United States and Japan on October 20 concluded the second meeting of the U.S.-Japan Commission on Arms Control, Disarmament, Non-Proliferation, and Verification, said State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher.

Following is the text:

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

October 20, 2000

STATEMENT BY RICHARD BOUCHER, SPOKESMAN

Second Meeting of the U.S.-Japan Commission on Arms Control, Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Verification

October 20, 2000

Continuing a process begun on March 8, 2000, the United States and Japan have concluded the second meeting of the U.S.-Japan Commission on Arms Control, Disarmament, Non-Proliferation, and Verification. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security John D. Holum and Ambassador Norio Hattori, Director General for Arms Control and Scientific Affairs of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, chaired the Commission.

Augmenting ongoing bilateral consultations, the Commission reflects both sides' shared interest in consulting closely on arms control and non-proliferation-related concerns. At this meeting, senior U.S. and Japanese officials reviewed their respective positions on key issues under the Commission's mandate, including missile defense, negotiations on a compliance protocol for the Biological Weapons Convention, Russian nuclear warhead dismantlement, and missile proliferation. Further, the United States and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to encourage non-governmental experts in both countries to enhance their collaboration in support of the Commission's objectives.

Separately, the Technical Cooperation Working Group met on October 19 in Washington. The Working Group reviewed the technical assessments undertaken over the last six months and agreed to undertake technical cooperation initiatives to explore larger, longer-term projects, particularly with regard to CTBT verification.

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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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