Japan softens stand on Kyoto pact

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, JULY 1. In the first meeting of the leaders, the U.S. President, Mr. George W. Bush, has endorsed Mr. Junichiro Koizumi's tough economic prescriptions and the Japanese Prime Minister, for his part, has softened his position on Washington's rejection of the Kyoto Protocols. Only last week, Mr. Koizumi termed the Bush administration's rejection of the Kyoto Treaty as ``truly deplorable''.

The setting was different on Saturday at the Camp David Presidential retreat in the Maryland Mountains. Both Mr. Bush and Mr. Koizumi appeared less formal and perhaps even jovial during the interactions with the media. But the lighter atmosphere did not detract from the substantive elements of the bilateral relations - both the strengths and the present challenges.

``There is no question in my mind our relationship will never be stronger than under our leadership'', Mr. Bush said. Mr. Koizumi reciprocated by saying, ``I did not, at the outset, believe that I would be able to establish such a strong relationship of trust with the President in my first meeting''.

For the Japanese leader it was, among other things, quite critical that the Bush administration back his tough economic plans. This Mr. Koizumi accomplished. ``I have no reservations about the economic reform agenda that the Prime Minister is advancing. He talks about tackling difficult issues that some leaders in the past refused to address'', Mr. Bush remarked.

It was crucial that Mr. Koizumi got an endorsement from the United States on the tough economic prescriptions he is trying to get though in Japan. In the past, the impression has always been that the Clinton administration was leaning too much on Tokyo to fix its economy to the point of being seen as badgering successive Governments in Japan.

On the subject of the environment and the Kyoto Protocols, Mr. Koizumi appeared to reverse his position vis-a-vis the stance of the Bush administration. ``I am not disappointed at the President's position. The President is enthusiastic about environmental issues and there is still time to discuss this issue'', he remarked.

Mr. Koizumi has said that he is willing to work to the ``last moment'' to come to an understanding with the U.S. on the subject, clearly giving the impression that Japan is reluctant to get on board without Washington. A statement issued on the Bush- Koizumi summit signals continuing differences with Mr. Bush welcoming the Prime Minister's offer to open bilateral talks with a view to coming to a common ground on climate change.

The Japanese economy and the U.S. stance on the Kyoto Protocols were not the only issues on the agenda. Important as well was the subject of missile defence that Tokyo is yet to support. In fact, there are some in Japan who believe that the country will not be on board this missile defence system, instead preferring the Theatre Missile Defence system.

The joint statement of Saturday says that both leaders have vowed to ``consult closely'' on the subject with Mr. Koizumi expressing his understanding of the American security concerns. ``The President and the Prime Minister also reiterated the importance of cooperative research on ballistic missile defence technologies'', the statement reads.

Mr. Bush and Mr. Koizumi met at Camp David at a time when a American Air Force sergeant is under investigation in Okinawa over allegations of raping a woman there.

Nearly 50,000 American service personnel live in Okinawa and local residents have long complained about the behaviour of the men. An unnamed official has said that Mr. Bush expressed regret for the incidents but without reference to the latest case in Okinawa.

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Section  : International
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