Contrivance concealed in 'orange juice': Opinion

The Russian Independent TV Station gives a front position to the interview program. The host and guests are chatting around the dining-table. Despite the variety of foods placed on the dining-table, in the face of the camera, however, only the host is doing his work with ease, the guests are only having some drinks. So, the interview program is formally named "orange juice". The picture of the program indeed looks rather easy and pleasant, however, the topics of conversation are very sensitive. On November 14, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov delivered a speech of great significance on the Russia-Japan territorial issue as he was taking a sip of the orange juice during the interview program.

Lavrov said that Russia hopes for a comprehensive rationalization of its relationship with Japan and that it is vitally important for the two sides to sign a peace treaty, within the framework of this treaty, it is necessary to solve the territorial issue. Lavrov made it clear that Moscow acknowledges the joint declaration published by the former Soviet Union and Japan in 1956. According to this document, the two islands of Habomai and Shikotan of the four northern islands will be returned to Japan. However, to put this idea into practice the two sides still need to sit down for talks, because previously no one had ever mentioned the concrete way of operation. Later on, this veteran diplomat mainly expounded the importance of developing economic and trade, and scientific and technological cooperation between Russia and Japan.

This speech with concealed contrivance naturally drew wide attention. Several hours later, Konstantin Kosachev, Chairman of the Duma International Affairs Committee of the Russian Duma (lower house of Parliament) published his comments, saying that the logic of Russia's foreign policy toward Japan is signing a peace treaty first, and then solving the territorial issue after a complete normalization of bilateral relationship. Although there may be several kinds of compromise formulas, if they gain no support from the people of the two countries, none of these formulas is practicable. Russia and Japan must make long-term efforts and try to make the people believe that the two countries have indeed become friendly countries.

President Vladimir Putin mentioned the "orange juice" program when he met with major officials at the Kremlin and praised Lavrov for his appropriate speech. Putin stressed that Russia would carry out its commitments in international affairs, but when implement the agreement it could only advance together with its cooperative partner. At present, Russia and Japan have not yet reached sufficient consensus on understanding of the 1956 Joint Declaration.

In fact, literally speaking, the aforementioned speech does not include substantive new content, during their visits to Japan, both Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin openly acknowledged the validity of the 1956 Joint Declaration. What people are interested in is the question why Russian leaders would take the initiatives to talk about the sensitive question concerning the return of islands, and choose Moscow as the venue for talks. At the end of last month, Lavrov repeatedly told the press that Russia and Japan had not conducted negotiation on the territorial issue. What Russia and Japan are currently discussing are only questions of economy, strategy, humanities and politics, only after genuine partnership is established, can there be conditions for Russia and Japan to conclude a peace treaty.

Izvestia analyzes that without settling the territorial issue, it would be impossible for Russia to attract huge amounts of Japanese investment and it would be difficult for the two sides to conduct effective cooperation in regional affairs. In order to change this passive situation, Russian leaders have finally mustered up their courage to put forward their policy that may possibly meet with criticisms from the nationals. The Kommersant further points out: A few days later Putin will meet with Junichiro Koizumi alone at APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum), Putin also plans to visit Japan in spring next year. Russia hopes to seize the opportunity to advance relations with Japan, at the same time it also wants to kick the "ball" to Japan, urging the Japanese side to present a more realistic plan on the territorial issue.

Nevertheless, it may still take some time for Russian-Japanese relations to break the deadlock. People remember that Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesman explicitly indicated this June in Moscow that Japan held the prerequisite for conclusion of a peace treaty is settlement of the question of ownership of the four northern islands (not two of them). Without solving the territorial issue, it would be impossible for Japan and Russia to conclude a peace treaty. More than two months afterwards, Koizumi went by boat to "inspect" the four northern islands. Another newspaper published a commentary, saying that the best way for Japan to maintain neighborly relations with Russia is to refrain from mentioning the four northern islands.

By People's Daily Online