December 13, 2011
(Kyodo)
(Mainichi Japan)
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said Tuesday he will hold talks with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton next week in Washington, prior to his trip later this month to Myanmar.
Gemba said he will make a four-day trip to Washington from Sunday, the first visit to the U.S. capital since he took up the post in September, adding that his meeting with Clinton is scheduled for the following day.
Gemba also told reporters he will travel to Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia from Dec. 25. During his stay in Myanmar, the minister said, he will meet with democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi as well as President Thein Sein and other top officials.
"I want to solidify the country's democratization and national reconciliation" by holding talks with influential Myanmar officials, Gemba said.
In Washington, Gemba said he will exchange views on major bilateral issues also with U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and other key officials.
Topics to be addressed by him and Clinton include the situation in Myanmar, which has shown some signs of progress in its transition to democratic governance since a nominally civilian government was formed in March, according to a senior Foreign Ministry official.
Gemba's trip to Myanmar will be the first since 2002 by a Japanese foreign minister, while Clinton made a three-day visit to Myanmar from Nov. 30, the first by a U.S. secretary of state in 57 years.
In Thailand and Cambodia, Gemba is likely to focus on economic issues following the recent flooding.
In Cambodia, which will chair the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2012, Gemba said he will pay courtesy calls on King Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Gemba is scheduled return to Tokyo from the trip to the three Asian countries on Dec. 29.
(Mainichi Japan) December 13, 2011
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