On 26 June Japan's Foreign Minister Sonusuke Uno arrived in Israel for a 24 hour visit. This was the first visit of a Japanese foreign minister and marked a further improvement of Israel-Japanese relations. The talks in Jerusalem focussed on the peace process and on the issue of the Arab boycott and Israel's feeling that Japan had bowed to this boycott with no justification. In the following interview, Israel-Japan relations as well as developments pertaining to Israel's relations with a number of Eastern European nations are discussed. Excerpts:
Q: Why are the Japanese suddenly interested in being involved in the Middle East peace process?
A: [ ... ] The Japanese have undergone a change recently. Economically, the Japanese are now a very important superpower - the third, fourth, fifth [most important]. As a superpower, they cannot ignore problematic areas around the world, points of conflict. They have an interest in resolving conflicts. This phenomenon has taken root in recent years, during which the [Japanese] have taken an interest in helping to resolve conflicts, be it through political or economic means. It may be that, expressly in the economic sphere of the Arab-Israeli conflict, they are interested [in making a contribution]. It is certainly in our interest for them to be involved in economic aid, in conjunction with a political solution.
Q: Do we want Tokyo to be politically involved in the Middle East, despite the fact that Japan caved in to the Arab oil boycott following the 1973 Yom Kippur War, and that it has never condemned the boycott?
A: Correct, there is a real problem with the Japanese in regard to the Arab boycott. There has been a change for the better on this topic in recent years. The fact is, however, that in the past, particularly after the Yom Kippur War, they surrendered almost totally to the Arab boycott. We are mainly interested in Japanese economic involvement, but we are also aware that there cannot be economic involvement without any political involvement. Therefore, there is certainly room for political involvement within specific perimeters.
Q: Concerning your recent visit to Poland; Is there reason to hope that Israeli-Polish relations will improve beyond the existing level?
A: The situation at the moment is one of interest offices. We have an interest section in Poland under the auspices of the Dutch embassy, and they have an interest section in Israel under the auspices of a national Polish bank, which is certainly a unique arrangement. As you noted, my assessment is that there are still a few levels separating the current situation and one of full diplomatic relations. I wouldn't say that it's out of the question - even after my visit last week - for there to be changes of this type long before Israeli-Polish relations receive overall improvement.
Q: So there could be an Israeli legation in Warsaw in the near future, even prior to Israeli agreement to an international conference?
A: Not necessarily a legation, but I can certainly envision a situation in which there is some change from the present level of relations.
Q: For instance, might there be a consulate?
A: I would again suggest that we not enter into diplomatic details. My assessment is that between the current and the optimal situation, there are several possibilities, one of which will certainly be realized. Unless, that is, we reach the situation I would hope we reach, i.e. Israel consenting as soon as possible to an international conference, This in turn, according to Polish officials, would lead immediately to full diplomatic relations.
Q: Is Israel preventing the import of Polish cars solely for the reason that there is no Polish embassy in Israel?
A: There has been no Cabinet decision on this matter. I understand that the Transport Ministry has made such a decision. If you are asking me if we necessarily have to prevent the import of cars or other products in the absence of full diplomatic relations - no, I am opposed to this approach, I favor having economic relations alongside, or even prior to, diplomatic relations - thereby facilitating diplomatic relations - without getting into the specific question of cars, which, incidentally, was not raised in the talks I held.
Q: Will you try to convince the Transport Ministry to adopt your position, and allow the import of Polish cars?
A: I repeat that, for some reason, this was not raised at the talks I held. If the subject is raised by the Poles in the near future, I am certainly in favor of holding a dialogue with the Transport Ministry on this issue, and trying to convince them to accept our position.