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Nuun 1 9 7 4 NOTES AND DOCUMENTS* October 1974 NOTES AND DOCUMENTS* October 1974 MISSPN DELEGATION- OF THE SPEC IAL ITTEE Librarya Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, HoE. -r.ToshioKimurW qiM heoninhonour 1 of e Chairman of the Special Committee, 9 September 1974 Address the Chairman ATIN' Committee, H.E. bY ig a) to represent tives of the United Nations Association o a Society of Japan and Committee on Co-operation with Africa of Keidanren (Federation of Economic Organizations), 10 September 1974 Statement issued by the Delegation of the Special Committee, 11 September 1974 Remarks by the Chairman of the Special Committee at a Press Conference at the Japan Press Club, 9 11 September 1974 Report by the Chairman of the Special Committee on the Results of the Mission, at a meeting of the Special Committee, 11 19 September 1974 L'ote: A delegation of the Special Committee on Apartheid, consisting of its Chairman, H.E. Mr. Edwin Ogebe Ogbu (Nigeria), and Its Rapporteur, Mr. Nicasio Valderrama (Philippines), visited Japan from 8 to 11 September 1974, for consultations with the Government of Japan and organizations in Japan on concerted international action against apartheid. During this visit, the delegation held consultations with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Acting Minister of Internationa Trade and Industry of Japan. It also met with representatives of the United Nations Association of Japan, Africa Society of Japan, Committee on Co- operation with Africa of Keidanren (Federation of Economic Organizations), Japan Anti-Apartheid Movement and other organizations. This issue of "Notes and Documents" contains texts of statements by the Foreig: Minister of Japan and by the delegation of the Special Committee during the mission, as well as the text of a report on the mission by the Chairman of the Special Committee] *All material in these notes and documents may be freely reprinted. Acknowledgement, together with a copy of the publication containing the reprint, would be appreciated. 47-26537 No.- 30,/74 STATEMENT BY THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF JAPAN, H.E. MR. TOSHIO KIMURA, AT A LUNCHEON IN HONOUR OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE, 9 September 1974 It is a great honour and pleasure for me to hold a welcome luncheon today for the mission from the United Nations Special Committee on Apartheid, headed by His Excellency Mr. Edwin Ogebe Ogbu. Before assuming my present post as Minister for Foreign Affairs, I was Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives and had the good fortune to welcome leaders of African countries on many occasions. Through talks with them, and in the light of the new situation that the Government of Portugal has changed its colonial policy, I have come to be deeply concerned with the southern African problems. I am very pleased that I have had an opportunity tg have a personal talk with the members of the mission, who have come all the way to Japan in spite of the busy season before the 29th session of the General Assembly, and have been able to increase my understanding of the problems of southern Africa, especially the policy of apartheid of the Republic of South Africa. The Special Committee on Apartheid is an important committee of the United Nations established to consider measures for the elimination of the policy of apartheid of the Republic of South Africa. Japan highly appreciates the important role being performed by the Committee for the lofty purpose of the elimination of racism and earnestly hopes that the Committee will continue fruitful activities for the realization of its purpose. Japan views with deep regret and indignation the fact that many African people are still being victimized by racial discrimination and colonialism in the African Continent. Japan has consistently opposed this inhuman policy, which ignores social justice and human rights, on every possible occasion. This policy of Japan will continue unswervingly in the future. On the other hand, I strongly hope that these problems will be solved in peace through effective measures. In this regard, I pay my deep respects to the Special Committee on Apartheid for sending missions to countries concerned, like the one under Chairman Ogbu now visiting us, to continue a quiet and patient dialogue with such peoples and governments on the method to eliminate the policy of apartheid of the Republic of South Africa. Co-operation with the United Nations is the basic policy of Japan's diplomacy. In pursuance of this policy, Japan has taken steps to stop sport and cultural exchanges with the Republic of South Africa and has recognized the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. These are evidences of Japan's position to spare no efforts whatever for the peaceful solution of the important problems of racism and colonialism. Japan intends to continue to co-operate as far as possible with the Special Committee on Apartheid in its activities. -2- ADDRESS BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SPECIAL CONM4ITTEE, H.E. 1,R. EDWIN OGEBE OGBU (NIGERIA), TO REPRESEDITATIVES OF THE UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION OF JAPAN, AFRICA SOCIETY OF JAPAN AND COMMITTEE ON CO-OPERATION WITH AFRICA OF KEIDANREN (FEDERATION OF ECONOMIC ORGANIZATIONS), 10 September 1974 As you know, I have come here as the Chairman of the United Nations Special Committee on Apartheid - accompanied by Mr. Nicasio Valderrama, Rapporteur of the Special Committee and Mr. Enuga Reddy, Chief of the Section for African Questions and Unit on Apartheid in the Secretariat - to consult with the Government of Japan and organizations in Japan on means for more concerted international action against apartheid in South Africa. We, in the Special Committee, are aware of the opposition of the Government and people of Japan -to apartheid and racial discrimination - and we look forward to even greater contribution from the Government and people of Japan in the struggle against apartheid during the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination. Tie know that the Japanese people have long been opposed to racial discrimination. We may recall that they have themselves faced discrimination and humiliation in some parts of the world when Japan came out of its isolation in the last century. More than fifty years ago, Japan took the lead in pressing for the inclusion of the principle of racial equality in the Covenant of the League of Nations. Its efforts were not successful at thatitime, but this principle found an important place in the Charter of the United Nations in 1945. You have, therefore, been one of the pioneers in the movement for international action against racism. We count on your contribution We have come here to express our appreciation to the Japanese Government and people for their co-operation with the Special Committee and for their contribution to the international action against apartheid. We have also come here to consult on further action and to appeal for greater contribution. lie are confident that our appeals will not go unheeded. May I say also that we feel that the Japanese Government and people can make a very significant contribution to the United Nations efforts against racism. You belong to the Asian-African region which has been the victim of colonialism and racial discrimination in recent centuries. A century ago you set out to achieve, in a short period of time, what the western countries have achieved in centuries. Your people have performed miracles of progress, surpassing even many western countries, while building on their own historic traditions. -3- Your experience and your achievements are an example and an inspiration to many peoples who have languished under colonial and racist oppression. I have faith that when the energies of the Black people of South Africa are released - when they shed their shackles and undertake to build their nation they too can perform miracles. Economic or social development does not need the tutelage of a white man holding the whiplash. Japan is a country which recognizes its international responsibilities and is committed to contribute to international co-operation, to peace, and to the strengthening of the United Nations. It is a nation which is very directly concerned with international trade. It recognizes that its own security and prosperity are dependent on peace in every corner of the world. I feel, therefore, that we can count on the Government and people of Japan in our efforts to promote concerted international action to eradicate racism in southern Africa and that we can discuss freely and frankly our concerns in this respect. We have had fruitful discussions yesterday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and we will meet tomorrow with the Parliamentary Vice-Minister of International Trade and Industry. We welcome this opportunity to meet here with people who have long been specially interested in Africa and in the United Nations, including leaders of industry and trade. We know that some of you have dedicated yourselves to the study of Africa and to the promotion of greater understanding between the people of Japan and the people of Africa. Some of you have perhaps become interested in Africa mainly through. trade or your support for the United Nations. But whatever the nature of your interest in Africa, you are no doubt aware that the problem of apartheid in South Africa - the oppression and humiliation of millions of people of that country, merely because of the colour of their skin - is one of the primary concerns of Africa, a concern that is shared by governments and peoples of the world. -o one can be neutral No one can be neutral on this problem. Africa has declared that the cause of the oppressed people of South Africa is the cause of Africa.
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