Remarks at the Start of the Meeting with Defense Minister Ishiba

[Note: Defense Minister Ishiba spoke in Japanese, and his remarks are not included here.]

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: Thank you, Mr. Minister. Thank you for receiving me here in your office in the Ministry of Defense. I come with a message of great appreciation for the cooperation that exists between our two countries and want to reaffirm the commitment that we have to the strong alliance between the United States and Japan and the strategic interests and relationship that we have here in East Asia and the Pacific.