What is on the Agenda of the Japan-US Security Talks

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, December 17, 2002

What is on the Agenda of the Japan-US Security Talks

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Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi and Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba are to hold talks in Washington with their US counterparts, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. They are expected to discuss security issues including DPRK and Iraq.

In the four-day Japan-US meeting on security issues, DPRK will be high on the agenda. Last Thursday DPRK said it is going to immediately reactivate its nuclear facilities due to US' suspension of oil shipments. They have been frozen since a 1994 framework agreement with Washington.

DPRK's declaration caused great concern in Japan. Its Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda expressed deep regret, saying Japan will be in close consultations with the United States and South Korea in deciding what measures it should take.

Meanwhile, Iraq will be another important issue during the meeting. On the Iraqi question, the United States hopes to win Japanese support, and Japan's recent actions have shown its solid stance for backing up a possible US-led military operation against Iraq.

Japan began a six-month support mission a year ago, and last month extended the mission for another half year. Furthermore, ignoring domestic opposition, the Japanese government has sent an Aegis-equipped destroyer to the Indian Ocean in support of the US counter-terrorism campaign in Afghanistan. Analysts say Japan's strengthened support for US-led operations in Afghanistan will enable the United States to deploy more military forces and thus turn up the heat on Iraq.

Observers believe the Japan-US security talks are another important move in the two countries' increasing cooperation on national security. However, they notice some disparities over certain issues between the two countries. For instance, Japan calls for dialogue and contacts to resolve the DPRK nuclear issue, whereas the United States holds a tougher stance, saying the US-DPRK talks can only be resumed when Pyongyang's nuclear program has been abandoned in a verifiable manner. (CRI News)

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