Any time the United States government turns over an American citizen, including military personnel, to the government of another country, it is in our nature to want to make sure that they receive the best treatment, the fairest treatment, and the most humane treatment. |
Demography is changing us as we are older societies, we're living longer. How the generations balance each other out, how that affects education and health care. |
Foreign Minister Kawaguchi told me that Sgt. Jenkins' medical condition is serious and asked that the United States consider the humanitarian aspects of this case, |
He is still characterized as a deserter of the U.S. Army. Our government will proceed according to provisions of the law and how that will finally unfold remains to be seen. |
I acknowledged to Foreign Minister Kawaguchi that the U.S. government is sympathetic to his health condition and that Sgt. Jenkins' medical condition may delay our request for his transfer to U.S. custody. |
I don't believe it for a second, |
I explained the American situation. I promised to pass on the substance of her communication to Washington as soon as possible. I did that. Well, certainly, the issue was difficult and painful. The relationship between Mrs. Tanaka and me and our two governments was difficult, but it was not painful. |
I hope it shows how much interest people have in working for their community. |
I intend to travel to Okinawa and to visit with Okinawa officials and the citizens of Okinawa at an early date. I will send my best analysis of that situation, including the local attitudes, back to Washington, to the government there. |
I must tell you, Mr. Chairman, I have never been so infuriated in my life from an event such as this, |
I think and hope and believe that the Japanese government and the people of Japan will be happy and content with the progress of justice in this case and that it will not become a great issue in the future. |
I think it is a great tribute to the Government of Japan and to those who were handling it, including the Foreign Minister and the Prime Minister, that we were able to negotiate at the highest levels - I mean the President, the Secretary of State, and then my opportunity - without high emotionalism. |
I think the friendship and mutual admiration between the prime minister and the president will facilitate that. |
I want her to play whatever role she's willing to play. I think she has described a range of possibilities, but her experience and her abilities and her talents are so broad that I would predict that there are other opportunities that will present themselves. And she will discover them. But she is a remarkable woman. And she was a remarkable Senator and she will be remarkable here on post in Japan. |
I'm convinced that they'll come out with a unified position -- perhaps not an identical position, but a unified position, |