Japan Ups Diplomatic Pressure on Mexico

WINS News ^ | 3/11/03

[areafiftyone]

TOKYO (AP) -- Japan upped diplomatic pressure on Mexico Tuesday to help push through a U.S.-backed war resolution, as it tries to pull in key votes on the U.N. Security Council.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi urged the adoption of a March 17 ultimatum for Iraq to disarm or face war, telling Mexican President Vincente Fox that international divisions were putting the United Nations authority at stake, according to a statement released by the Foreign Ministry here.

"If the international community is divided, it will not only benefit Iraq but also bring into grave doubt the United Nations' authority and its practicality," he told Fox in a phone call Tuesday.

Fox - who has been seeking a last-minute compromise among the sharply divided council - acknowledged the importance of a unified message but refused to take sides.

"Mexico is taking an independent position and is not leaning to either side," Fox said.

The U.N. Security Council remains bitterly divided over the newly revised draft resolution that would set the ultimatum. It is co-sponsored by the United States, Britain and Spain - and strongly opposed by France, Russia, China and Germany.

Washington had wanted a vote as early as Tuesday, but with France and Russia threatening to veto the current draft resolution, and without the minimum nine "yes" votes, it held up action in the council.

Though Japan does not currently hold a seat on the 15-member council, it has joined the intense lobbying behind the scenes after declaring its support Saturday for the ultimatum.

Koizumi also met with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy visiting in Tokyo Tuesday to restate their mutual support for the U.S.-back position.

Tokyo has contacted council members, including undecided Pakistan, Chile, Mexico, Guinea, Cameroon, with phone calls in the past 24 hours.

[MEG33]

Good for them!

[Dog Gone]

My opinion of the Japanese continues to improve.

[PhiKapMom]

It was just announced on Fox that there will be a vote at the United Nations THIS WEEK and it will not be delayed!

[nina0113]

I'm coming around to the position that we should take back the permanent seat we gave France & give it to Japan instead.

That's assuming the UN outlasts the war, of course.

[Cyber Liberty]

Japan is cracking up to be a much better friend than France (no surprise here).

[areafiftyone]

GOOD!!! I am sick and tired of the U.N.

[ClancyJ]

Maybe there is a little hope yet.

[Grampa Dave]

Yesterday, the leader of Spain took on the perfurmed whores, France, Germany, Russia, Chicom land and Brussels and accused them of being biased for $'s from Iraq.

Today this from the Japanes.

$crew the German cars. We have American cars, Japanese and UK vehicles we can buy.

[GraniteStateConservative]

The delay has already occurred. It was planned to be today. It'll end up being Thursday probably-- but as long as D-Day is still 3/17, I don't give a crap.

[DontMessWithMyCountry]

Japan is cracking up to be a much better friend than France (no surprise here).

[Fill in the blank:] ______________ is cracking up to be a much better friend than France (no surprise here).

[Black Agnes]

Why did we nuke the Japanese? We should have nuked the French...er, I mean the Germans in occupied France instead.

[jriemer]

Japan has enormous economic leverage in Mexico with all of their industrial investments. Let's see how this plays out.

[Guillermo]

We're one of the only allies Japan has...

[Teacher317]

Makes it really tough for the "US used WMD's, too!" crowd when that recipient of those nukes is on our side. *wide grin*

BTW, I learned recently that Japan is in the top 5 in military expenditures, which really surprised me.

[AmericanInTokyo]

A quick e mail, phone call or fax to the Japanese Embassy in D.C. expressing THANKS will continue to do the trick. Many freepers have been doing this for the last week or so.

I have first hand knowledge it is having a positive effect and is countering the efforts of the Seditionists.

So, once again, here is the contact information for the Japan Embassy in D.C. (JICC). Letter or call should be short, appreciative, in simple English.

Contact: Tel: (202) 238-6949 Fax: (202) 822-6524 eojjicc@erols.com

[RobbyS]

Japan is looking at the crazy regime across a narrow sea.

[Cyber Liberty]

Sounds like a fun game, yah!

"Viet Nam is cracking up to be a much better friend than France (no surprise here)."

"Spain is cracking up to be a much better friend than France (no surprise here)."

"Bulgaria is cracking up to be a much better friend than France (no surprise here)."

"Pakistan is cracking up to be a much better friend than France (no surprise here)."

[concerned about politics]

My husband had a dream a few days ago where he said the US went in to get Saddam and it was over before he turned the TV on to watch the news.
I had a dream last night where I heard people saying "Ok. We're all set to go in..." but it wasn't scary. Like taking out the trash.(I woke up from a cough before the war. I have a sniffle. Darn. I need to see a dream re-run! )
Weird.

[AMDG]

Reuters confirms!!!! http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=584&e=1&cid=584&u=/nm/20030311/pl_nm/iraq_bush_dc

"The White House said on Tuesday a U.N. Security Council vote on Iraq (news - web sites) will take place this week and rejected a proposal to extend the deadline for Baghdad to disarm by one month."

"There's room for a little more diplomacy here but not much room and not much time," Fleischer said.

Let's just do it. The longer the delay the more perilous Blair's position.

The uncertainty is killing us and then delay could lead to unneccesary US Armed Forces casulties.