Japan, Pak. review bilateral ties

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, NOV. 25. There is renewed Japanese interest in Pakistan following the September 11 terror attacks in the U.S. and the Musharraf Government's decision to join the international coalition in the fight against terrorism.

The Japanese Foreign Minister, Ms. Maikiko Tanaka, is here on a four-day visit for an ``in-depth discussion'' and ``comprehensive review'' of the relations between the two countries.

Islamabad has tried hard in the past few weeks to persuade Tokyo to write off some of its loans. The Pakistan Finance Minister, Mr. Shaukat Aziz, who was in Tokyo before the fall of Kabul, tried unsuccessfully to prevail upon the Japanese Government on the issue.

Before the Bush administration came to power in January this year, Japan was pressuring Pakistan to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Though it has not exactly stepped up the pressure - as the issue is not a priority of the Bush regime - Japan is still interested in getting Pakistan to join the CTBT club.

The issue reportedly figured at the meeting between the visiting Japanese Minister and the Pakistan Foreign Minister, Mr. Abdul Sattar, here on Saturday. In the course of the meeting, the two Ministers reviewed Pakistan-Japan relations. Ms. Tanaka is expected to call on the Pakistan President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, tomorrow.

Mr. Sattar told Ms. Tanaka that Pakistan would continue to support non-proliferation and disarmament. Pakistan was not the first to conduct nuclear tests in South Asia and would not be the first to resume them. ``They also discussed regional issues with special focus on the situation in Afghanistan and other international developments,'' an official announcement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Ms. Tanaka complimented Pakistan's `key contribution' to the fight against terrorism. On behalf of the Japanese Government, she expressed solidarity and support for Pakistan's pivotal role in this regard.

On his part, Mr. Sattar conveyed Pakistan's gratitude and appreciation for Japan's political support and significant economic assistance, following its decision to align with the international coalition. He also briefed his Japanese counterpart on Pakistan-India relations and the ``struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination.''

Ms. Tanaka gave a resume of the steps that the Japanese Government had taken to bolster the international coalition's fight against terrorism. She also explained the rationale behind the new overseas role of the Japanese Self- Defence Forces.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : Pak. press not excited over Benazir's Delhi visit
Next     : 'Osama deputy killed'