Remarks at Departure to Tokyo

QUESTION: So I guess you are very happy about the situation? What kind of…

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Why do you think I’m very happy about this situation?

QUESTION: You know, from your remarks?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: No, I think my remarks were that we’ve done a lot of work. We’ve consulted with all the other parties. Now we’ll find out if we can make some progress. But what we measure our progress against is the complete fulfillment of the Joint Statement – the September Joint Statement. I’d like to see as much progress as possible, but I don’t think we will get the entire Joint Statement. So I think we’ll have to keep working, but let’s see if we can make a good step.

QUESTION: So do you think we can see another paper in the upcoming Six-Party Talks which is like a Joint Statement from September?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Oh, sometimes I’ve seen too many papers. What I want to see is some change on the ground – some real movement on the ground. What we’re really interested in doing is moving from papers to real things on the ground. So, yes, maybe there will be a paper or two. But much more importantly, let’s see if we can get something done.

QUESTION: How long do you expect it will take to implement the early tranche of…

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: I don’t know. I’d like it to be measurable and soon. You know we lost a lot of time between September 2005 and now. So I’d like to see if we can pick up the pace. How long it takes? I’m not really sure.

QUESTION: Do you want four months…

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: I don’t know. I don’t know. We’ll have to find out. I’ll let you know in a few days. Okay?

QUESTION: Are you going to request Japan to give some assistance to North Korea for no nuclearization?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: I’m sorry, am I going to Japan...?

QUESTION: Are you going to request Japan to give some aid or assistance to North Korea?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: No, I’m not making any requests to Japan. I’m going to Japan because we consult very closely with the Japanese Government. I’m looking forward to [meeting] my counterpart, Mr. Sasai. I think I’ll have some opportunities to see some other people. I think it’s very important that we stay in very close contact with Japan. So I’m not making any requests. This is just part of our consultations.

Thank you very much.