DATE=1/14/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-244164
TITLE=JAPAN / COHEN (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=JOCELYN FORD
DATELINE=TOKYO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:  

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN WOUND UP A FOUR DAY 
TRIP TO JAPAN TODAY  (THURSDAY) AND HEADED FOR SOUTH KOREA. 
JOCELYN FORD REPORTS FROM TOKYO THAT NORTH KOREA TOPS THE AGENDA 
OF HIS WEEK-LONG VISIT TO ASIA.

TEXT:  DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN AND JAPANESE FOREIGN 
MINISTER MASAHIKO KOMURA AGREED THURSDAY IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE 
TWO COUNTRIES TO CLOSELY MONITOR NORTH KOREA FOR SIGNS IT MAY 
FIRE ANOTHER MISSILE.  FOREIGN MINISTER KOMURA ALSO SUGGESTED THE
UNITED STATES, JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA SEND PYONGYANG A STRONG 
WARNING TO DETER IT FROM CONDUCTING A SECOND TEST FIRING.     

NORTH KOREA SHOCKED JAPAN LAST AUGUST WHEN IT LAUNCHED A 
BALLISTIC MISSILE THAT FLEW OVER THE COUNTRY.   SINCE THEN, TOKYO
HAS STARTED TO MODERNIZE ITS DEFENSE SYSTEMS.     

DEFENSE SECRETARY COHEN TOLD REPORTERS THURSDAY HE WELCOMES 
JAPAN'S RECENT DECISION TO JOIN A  PROJECT TO DEVELOP A THEATER 
MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM.  ONCE DEVELOPED, THE SYSTEM WOULD SHOOT 
DOWN MISSILES BEFORE THEY STRIKE.

         //COHEN ACT//

  WE ARE VERY PLEASED THAT THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED IN
ITS BUDGET DELIBERATION TO COMMIT ABOUT EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS TO 
THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO 
PROCEED WITH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE KIND OF DEFENSES 
THAT WILL BE NECESSARY TO PROTECT OUR FORCES AND OUR PEOPLE.

         //END ACT// 

MR. COHEN DISMISSED CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY CHINA THAT THE THEATER 
MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM WOULD THREATEN BEIJING AND PROVOKE AN ARMS
RACE IN THE REGION. 

        //COHEN ACT//

  I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS THEATER MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM 
WHICH WILL PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN AS WELL AS THE AMERICAN 
TROOPS THAT ARE HERE  AND THE POPULATION, WOULD IN ANY WAY POSE A
THREAT TO CHINA.  I CAN'T ACCEPT THEIR CHARACTERIZATION OF THIS 
BEING RECKLESS OR IRRESPONSIBLE.  I THINK THIS IS A VERY 
RESPONSIBLE COURSE OF ACTION FOR BOTH OF OUR GOVERNMENTS TO 
PURSUE .

        //END ACT//

 CHINA IS PARTICULARLY UPSET THAT TAIWAN IS CONSIDERING JOINING 
THE THEATER MISSILE DEFENSE PROJECT.  (SIGNED)



NEB/JF/GC/FC/PLM



14-Jan-99 3:21 AM EST (0821 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.