DATE=2/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-226708
TITLE=JAPAN / U-S-IRAQ (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=STEVE HERMAN
DATELINE=TOKYO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: JAPAN SAYS ALL OPTIONS HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED IN DEALING
WITH IRAQ'S REFUSAL TO COMPLY WITH UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS
INSPECTIONS. JAPAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER KEIZO OBUCHI MADE THE
STATEMENT AT A JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE FRIDAY WITH UNITED STATES
AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS BILL RICHARDSON . AS STEVE
HERMAN REPORTS FROM TOKYO, AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON IS ON AN
INTERNATIONAL TRIP TO CLARIFY WASHINGTON'S STANCE AND SEEK
CONSENSUS.
TEXT: THE UNITED STATES AND JAPAN IN A JOINT DECLARATION ARE
SAYING THAT THE SITUATION IN IRAQ IS "NOW VERY GRAVE." THE
STATEMENT WAS ISSUED IN TOKYO FOLLOWING A DAY OF MEETINGS BETWEEN
WASHINGTON'S ENVOY TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AMBASSADOR BILL
RICHARDSON, AND TOP JAPANESE OFFICIALS, INCLUDING PRIME MINISTER
RYUTARO HASHIMOTO.
AT A U-S EMBASSY NEWS CONFERENCE, THE AMBASSADOR TOLD REPORTERS
THERE IS AN INCORRECT PERCEPTION THAT THERE IS ONLY LIMITED
INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR SENDING AN ULTIMATUM TO BAGHDAD, WHICH
INCLUDES THE THREAT OF MILITARY FORCE:
/// RICHARDSON ACT ///
"IT'S NOT JUST THE ANGLO COUNTRIES, IT'S COUNTRIES IN ASIA,
AFRICA AND LATIN AMERICA. THERE'S A SILENT MAJORITY OF NATIONS
THAT BELIEVE THAT IRAQ SHOULD COMPLY."
/// END ACT ///
AMBASSADOR RICHARDSON DECLINED TO COMMENT ON WHETHER PRIME
MINISTER HASHIMOTO DIRECTLY ASKED HIM WHAT THE JAPANESE
GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY COMMUNICATED THROUGH DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS
? THAT NO ATTACK ON IRAQ SHOULD COME DURING THE WINTER GAMES
CURRENTLY UNDERWAY IN NAGANO, JAPAN.
FROM TOKYO, THE AMBASSADOR GOES TO BEIJING FOR TALKS WITH CHINESE
LEADERS. IT WILL BE A MORE DIFFICULT DIPLOMATIC MISSION BECAUSE
BEIJING HAS BEEN EXPRESSING STRONG OPPOSITION TO ANY U-S
MILITARY OFFENSIVE AGAINST IRAQ. (SIGNED)
NEB/SH/FC/WFR
13-Feb-98 7:34 AM EST (1234 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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