*EPF406 06/14/01
Text: State Dept. on Upcoming Visit of Japanese Foreign Minister
(Tanaka to visit U.S. June 16-18, will meet with Powell) (250)

Following is the text of a June 14 statement by Deputy State Department Spokesman Philip Reeker on Japanese Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka's upcoming visit to the United States:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

June 14, 2001

STATEMENT BY PHILIP T. REEKER, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN

Visit by Japanese Foreign Minister Tanaka

Japanese Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka will visit the United States June 16-18, 2001. She will have a bilateral meeting with Secretary of State Colin L. Powell at the Department of State on Monday, June 18. This will be Minister Tanaka's first official visit to the United States as Foreign Minister and her first meeting with Secretary Powell. The Secretary looks forward to establishing a close and cooperative relationship with Minister Tanaka. The U.S.-Japan alliance is the foundation of U.S. engagement in Asia and is fundamental to regional stability and prosperity. The agenda for the meeting will include a discussion of a wide range of topics, including preparations for the June 30 summit between President Bush and Prime Minister Koizumi, bilateral security and economic relations, as well as regional and global issues.

For further details on Minister Tanaka's schedule in the United States, please contact the Embassy of Japan.

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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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