[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 130 (Thursday, September 30, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1996]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING JAPANESE AMBASSADOR KUNIHKO SAITO FOR HIS EXTRAORDINARY 
           CONTRIBUTIONS TO UNITED STATES-JAPANESE RELATIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DOUG BEREUTER

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 30, 1999

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, His Excellency Kunihko Saito, the 
Honorable Ambassador of Japan, is returning soon to the Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs in Tokyo upon completion of his assignment here. Prior 
to his departure, this Member wishes to recognize Ambassador Saito's 
extraordinary contributions to strengthening the friendship and 
alliance between the United States and Japan.
  It is frequently remarked that there is no more important 
relationship in the world today than the relationship between the 
United States and Japan. Today, this relationship is stronger than ever 
and one of the reasons for that fact is the efforts of Ambassador 
Saito. During the three and a half years, he so ably represented his 
nation here, Ambassador Saito helped our two countries navigate a 
series of milestones that updated the terms of our security 
relationship for the post-cold war era through the new U.S.-Japan 
Defense Guidelines and our agreement to cooperate on research on 
ballistic missile defense because of the threats from North Korea. 
Moreover, Japan's contribution as host nation support for our armed 
forces stationed there remains the highest in the world.
  We also have deepened our cooperation through the Common Agenda, 
including efforts to fight disease, control narcotics, protect 
endangered species, and preserve the environment. And while trade 
frictions will always exist even among the closest of friends, 
Ambassador Saito has made important contributions to bilateral 
negotiations aimed at opening Japan further to U.S. products through 
deregulation and to facilitating the kind of foreign direct investment 
to Japan that supports our exports.
  As Chairman of the Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee of the House 
International Relations Committee, this Member extends to Ambassador 
Saito and to the friendly, gracious and diplomatically astute Mrs. 
Saito, the recognition and appreciation of the United States Congress 
for an important job extremely well done. We wish these two good 
Japanese friends continued success in all future endeavors and hope for 
future contact.

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