Posted on 03/17/2003 11:20:12 PM PST by JudgeAmint
New U.N. resolution unneeded for attack |
| By TARO KARASAKI, The Asahi Shimbun |
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With the U.S. and Britain set to drop the hammer on Iraq, Japan falls in line diplomatically. While stressing Japan was pinning its hopes on last-minute diplomatic options, officials in Tokyo on Monday shifted away from the need for a new United Nations Security Council resolution authorizing a U.S.-led attack against Iraq, and said current resolutions were sufficient. The new stance came following the weekend meeting in the Azores by leaders of the United States, Britain and Spain. Addressing the issue more frankly than in the past, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told reporters he believed an attack was justified by existing U.N. Security Council resolutions, including the most recent-Resolution 1441. ``I believe that (an attack) can go ahead, considering past U.N. resolutions,'' Koizumi told reporters at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. Koizumi also said he supported the decision to abandon diplomatic efforts to win passage of the new resolution apparently made at the Azores summit. Nevertheless, he also said U.N. members should continue efforts to authorize the latest resolution proposed by the United States, Britain and Spain. Reflecting mounting anxieties over a possible war, the Nikkei 225 index momentarily dipped to 7,870.78, close to last Tuesday's 20-year record low of 7,862.43. The benchmark closed the day at 7,871.64, while the TOPIX index ended at 777.21. For the past week or so, Koizumi and other government officials have worked the phones and in person to get passage of a second resolution. However, their lobbying of Security Council member countries, particularly neutral members, seems to have been to no avail. ``The United States is making its last efforts, and the United Nations should heed that seriously,'' Koizumi said. ``We have supported the United States and continue to support the United States.'' A high-ranking Foreign Ministry official echoed Koizumi's stance. ``The statement coming from the summit was a final warning both to Iraq and the U.N. Security Council,'' the official said. The official called the latest decision ``particularly disappointing'' and said it was the result of ``unexpectedly strained relations in the international community'' over the new resolution. Vice Foreign Minister Yukio Takeuchi told a news conference the government would continue to press until the end for an international coalition in backing the resolution. ``The three nations have stated that diplomatic efforts up to the last minute should be taken to encourage Iraq to disarm itself,'' Takeuchi said. ``If Iraq makes the decision now, there will still be a chance to resolve the matter peacefully. ``While the matter is in the hands of the U.N. Security Council, we are still thinking of measures that can be taken up until the last moment,'' Takeuchi said. He did not elaborate. Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi called French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin Monday night to urge France to work to resolve debate on a new resolution, stressing that military pressure was crucial to convince Iraq to cooperate on inspections. De Villepin replied military pressure and military action were separate matters, and his government could not accept a resolution authorizing military action. (IHT/Asahi: March 18,2003) |
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