Posted on 02/06/2003 6:48:18 PM PST by chance33_98
Fukuda: Japan siding with U.S. on Iraq war
The Asahi Shimbun
Koizumi makes one last appeal to Baghdad to avoid conflict.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda dropped strong hints Thursday that Japan sides firmly with the United States on the issue of war with Iraq.
``It is obvious which side Japan stands with,'' said Fukuda, without clearly stating that the government is behind Washington all the way.
He was commenting in a news conference on U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's speech to the U.N. Security Council the day before.
In the presentation, Powell offered evidence that Baghdad has defied international calls to disarm. Based on the U.S. case, a U.S.-led war against Iraq would appear inevitable and imminent.
Officials said Tokyo will make a final decision after reviewing French, German and Russian opposition.
Fukuda said the government will convey to Iraq in the ``strongest terms'' its desire for Baghdad to fully cooperate with U.N. inspections of weapons of mass destruction.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi also said Thursday that Powell's presentation had further cemented Japan's position on Iraq's alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction.
He made the remark in a Lower House Budget Committee meeting in response to questions from lawmakers about Tokyo's stand on the looming war.
Koizumi noted the window of opportunity is closing for Iraq to respond to fears among world leaders that Baghdad is brazenly defying UNSC Resolution 1441 that obliges Iraq to declare its development plans on chemical, biological and nuclear weapons as well as ballistic missiles.
Koizumi said Iraq had not obeyed past U.N. resolutions, testing the ability of the world organization itself.
The prime minister, echoing the views of other world leaders, said another U.N. resolution would be needed before war against Iraq could be condoned.
``As a member of the world community and an ally of the United States, Japan has to take a responsible attitude,'' Koizumi stated.
In the same budget committee, Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi voiced her appreciation of U.S. efforts to explain its case against Iraq.
She said Powell's presentation left no doubt that Iraq had not complied with U.N.-mandated inspections.(IHT/Asahi: February 7,2003)
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