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IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 232-12
April 03, 2012

Readout of Secretary Panetta’s Call with Japanese Defense Minister

             Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs George Little provided the following readout:

             “Today Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta called Japanese Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka to discuss developments related to North Korea’s announcement that it plans to conduct a missile launch in mid-April.

             “Secretary Panetta and Defense Minister Tanaka reiterated their view that such a missile launch would directly violate North Korea’s international obligations and U.N. Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874.  They also affirmed the importance of the U.S.-Japan Alliance in defense of Japan and in contributing to regional peace and security.

             “Both leaders agreed to continue close contact leading up to and following a potential missile launch.”