Mori, Govt. split on visa for Lee

By F.J. Khergamvala

TOKYO, APRIL 18. A few days before he leaves office, the Prime Minister, Mr. Yoshiro Mori, has adopted what is the most popular and proper position of his term but his Government is largely bent on disregarding a lame-duck leader's decision and is leaning towards its customary appeasement of China.

Since a fortnight there have been conflicting reports about what Japan is up to, in deciding the visa application of the former Taiwan President, Mr. Lee Teng-hui. It has now emerged that Mr. Mori is strongly in favour of a visa, with certain movement and contact restrictions, but his Foreign Ministry continues to lay down reasons why it should give in to China. China has been urging Japan since last year that the ``splittist'' should not be given a visa. The Yomiuri Shimbun today reported this split in the Mori-led Government and gave some clarity to the confusion that reigns over the controversy.

For weeks, Mr. Lee Teng-hui, former President of Taiwan, has sought a visa to travel to a hospital in southern Japan to have his Japanese cardiac consultant have a look at his heart. Mr. Lee who has left office a year and a month ago had undergone a procedure in Taiwan after the 1996 run in with China, at which the Japanese consultant was present. But now, for follow-up, the cardiologist himself has stated that he cannot carry some hospital equipment required for tests to Taipei and, therefore, Mr. Lee must visit the hospital in Japan.

Over the past couple of days top Taiwanese figures, in Government and outside have lashed out at Japan. Mr. Lee himself hit out at the meek attitude even though this was a humanitarian measure and pressed Mr. Mori to be firm on the issue. Mr. Chen Shui-bian, President, too said Japan was always too concerned about how Beijing would react. Mr. Chen's deputy, Ms. Annette Liu, echoing a view widely held in Asia, said, ``now we understand why Japan is not held in respect.'' Interestingly, this comes out in very sharp contrast with the U.S.' attitude. Despite the air incident flap, Mr. Lee is being allowed a visit to the U.S. in early May to see his daughter who studies at Cornell.

Elements in Japan in favour of the no-visa position say that three recent Japanese actions have already aroused anger from official Beijing. On Monday Japan is going to implement a measure its ruling Liberal Democratic Party considers necessary. It will impose temporary import curbs on three farm products imported from China at prices better than local produce. China had strongly protested against the LDP Government for revising textbooks carrying purportedly inaccurate versions of Japanese history in China and the Koreas.

Japan has ignored the fact that even Taiwan has protested this version. Besides, even without these measures, a year ago, the passport of Chinese dissenter, Wang Dang, mysteriously disappeared after it landed at a Japanese mission with an application to travel to Japan.

Mr. Mori's position is that Mr. Lee should be given a visa on the basis that the U.S. applies. His movement should be restricted to the town where the Japanese hospital is located. He should not be allowed to meet people with political affiliations that might create suspicions about Mr. Lee's presence and his time stay in Japan ought to be limited.

At his farewell press conference on Wednesday, Mr. Mori reiterated that though the international environment was important, Japan should give priority to humanitarian considerations. NHK TV later reported that the Foreign Ministry would approach Beijing with the limitations on Mr. Lee that Mr. Mori had suggested and would give a decision ``as soon as possible.'' At the end of the day, it would be a great shame if Mr. Lee's cardiologist goes to the U.S. to use some equipment to do a follow-up on Mr. Lee while the latter is there in early May.

Public opinion on the subject is strongly in support of a visa on humanitarian grounds, in a country that makes its official aid conditional on promoting democracy. Taiwan is an exception, as is India. Taiwan is not a country but it issues visas recognised by Japan. The campaigning Japanese candidates have taken some positions, but their real colours will show up once they are called upon to make a decision.

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Section  : International
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