    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 37 (Monday, September 20, 1999)]
    [Pages 1732-1733]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    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.

    [[Page 1733]]

        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.