    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [September 12, 1999]
    [Page 1527]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Trilateral Summit Joint Press Statement
    September 12, 1999

        United States President William Jefferson Clinton, Republic of Korea
    President Kim Dae-jung and Japanese Prime
    Minister Obuchi Keizo met today in Auckland to
    continue to coordinate their respective policies toward the DPRK and to
    discuss regional and global issues.
        The three leaders
    expressed their expectation that the comprehensive and integrated
    approach developed jointly by the U.S., the ROK, and Japan provides an
    invaluable opportunity to ensure peace and stability on the Korean
    peninsula, and they also expressed their hope that the DPRK responds
    positively to the concepts discussed by Dr.
    Perry during his visit to Pyongyang last May.
        The three leaders
    confirmed that they are prepared to undertake measures to improve their
    respective relations with the DPRK as the DPRK addresses the concerns of
    the U.S., ROK, and Japan, and takes steps to reduce tensions and
    establish lasting peace on the Korean peninsula and beyond.
        The leaders
    confirmed that the 1994 Agreed Framework serves as an integral part of
    their joint efforts as they seek improved relations with the DPRK.
        The three leaders
    reconfirmed their commitment to continue to act in close coordination at
    all times.
        The leaders
    expressed grave concern over the continuing violence and resulting
    humanitarian disaster in East Timor. They reaffirmed that the primary
    responsibility of restoring law and order in East Timor resides with the
    Indonesian government, and urged the Indonesian government to take
    prompt measures to ensure that the free will of the East Timorese
    people, as clearly expressed in the referendum of August 30, be fully
    respected. They agreed to work closely with the United Nations and other
    members of the international community toward that end, keeping in mind
    the desirability of maintaining the stability of Indonesia as a whole in
    order to avoid possible negative consequences which might arise in the
    region.
        The three leaders
    welcomed the fairly smooth progress being made in the efforts to
    overcome the Asian financial crisis as various economic indicators show
    signs of economic recovery, and have agreed to cooperate closely in
    order to sustain the momentum for recovery of the Asian countries. They
    underscored the need for APEC economies to work together for the
    successful launching of a new three-year WTO Round at the November
    Seattle WTO Ministerial. They agreed that the region's leaders must stay
    the course with politically difficult macroeconomic and structural
    reforms to sustain the region's recovery.

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the contents of
    this joint statement.