Facts of double-track negotiations with Russia need close examination -- Akahata editorial, March 23

The revelation by Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo, based on Foreign Ministry internal documents, of dual-track diplomacy concerning Japan-Russia territorial negotiations has shocked the government.

In March 2001, House of Representatives member Suzuki Muneo had secret talks with the Russian government. He used that occasion to denounce the Japanese government for demanding the "return of the four Northern Islands as a package" and limiting the territorial reversion to two islands.

Togo Kazuhiko, Foreign Ministry European Bureau director at the time, was present in the secret talks.

Foreign Minister Kawaguchi Yoriko acknowledged that the secret talks took place with Togo in attendance, but rejected any probe into the talks or publication of its results.

Selling nation's sovereignty for vested interests

The attendance of the Foreign Ministry's European Bureau director made the secret talks official government-to-government negotiations between Japan and Russ.

In the secret talks, Suzuki called for the return of Shikotan and Habomai islands because giving up these islands do little harm to Russia's national interests, and for Kunashiri and Etorofu islands to come under further negotiations, which virtually means Japan giving up these two islands. The humiliating offer by Suzuki in the backstage deals was to curry favor with Russia to seek his personal interests at the price of Japan's sovereign rights.

In the official talks which took place earlier the same day, a Foreign Ministry counselor argued for the return of the four Northern Islands as a package. In the secret talks in the evening Suzuki denounced this government policy, which is a typical example of double-track diplomacy.

In the summit talks between then Prime Minister Mori Yoshiro and Russian President Vladimir Putin which took place about three weeks later on March 25, 2001, an agreement was reached in accordance with Suzuki's backstage deals.

The summit talks confirmed the 1956 Japan-Russia Joint Declaration as a basic legal document. Prior to the talks, President Putin had informed Japan of his understanding of the clause in the Joint Declaration that the return of Habomai and Shikotan following the conclusion of a peace treaty should mean the final settlement of the territorial issue. For Japan to confirm such a statement means that if a peace treaty is concluded on the return of the two islands, Russia will take it as a signal that Japan accepted Russia's argument that the territorial issue has ended with the return of the two islands.

In the secret talks, Suzuki dragged Japan's foreign policy onto such an unjustifiable track.

The fact remains that Japan's foreign policy has been distorted. The foreign minister's remark that she does not acknowledge the secret talks as having on official character is completely untenable.

Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro's position is a problem.

In the summit talks with Russian President Putin in October 2001, Prime Minister Koizumi said that his understanding of the Mori-Putin talks was that they were very constructive and that he will carry on Mori's policy. Asahi Shimbun of October 23, 2001 commented that this could be an outcome of the "common front" which former Prime Minister Mori and Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Suzuki who has influence on policy with Russia jointly worked out.

Prime Minister Koizumi has jumped on the double-track foreign policy.

This makes it all the more necessary for the prime minister to be responsible and closely examine facts of the double-track foreign policy and to reveal them to the people.

Summon European Bureau director

Behind these problems concerning Japan's relations with Russia lies the no-way-out position of past LDP governments in territorial negotiations.

For a fair and just settlement of the territorial question, it is necessary for Japan to carry out negotiations fairly and squarely by the strength of logic. What Japan must work out is to show the basis in international law that the Chishima (Kurile) Islands, including Kunashiri and Etorofu Islands historically are Japan's territory and take action to correct the mistake in the postwar disposal following the end of WWII.

The government is at least obliged to reveal the facts, so as to correct the error of the double-track foreign policy. To this end, it is essential for the Diet to again summon Suzuki, and then Foreign Ministry European director Togo as witnesses under oath. (end)