[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.