THE DALAI LAMA

'The next step is we are going to have further contact. Our contacts with the Dalai's personal representatives are serious... We hope the Dalai will stop acting to separate the homeland.'

GAS DISPUTE WITH JAPAN

'Prospects for settling the dispute are already in view and I'm happy about this.'

MYANMAR

'Myanmar's political process might be delayed because of the cyclone, but we strongly hope that the momentum for Myanmar's reconciliation will remain intact.'