Envoy hopes Japan will continue commitment to Afghanistan+

TOKYO, Sept. 30 Kyodo -
Afghan Ambassador to Japan Eklil Ahmad Hakimi on Wednesday expressed hope that
the new Japanese government will remain committed to supporting the war-torn
country, while playing down the impact of the expected end to Japan's refueling
mission in the Indian Ocean.
''They (Japan) did say that they will support the Afghan government through
other means, and also something that our people could benefit from. So we are
very grateful for that,'' the ambassador told reporters after talking with
Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada.
Asked whether Afghanistan wants Japan to send its Self-Defense Forces to the
country, he only said, ''It's entirely up to the Japanese government, so I'm
not in a position to answer that.''
During the talks between Hakimi and Okada in Tokyo, Okada expressed his
eagerness to offer support that ''would reflect the true needs of
Afghanistan,'' while Hakimi stressed the importance of aid in the areas of
security and agriculture, a Japanese Foreign Ministry official said.
Japan has so far offered about $2 billion in aid to Afghanistan, Okada was
quoted as telling the ambassador.
The new Democratic Party of Japan-led government plans to terminate the
antiterrorism refueling mission for multinational forces operating in
Afghanistan in January when a special law authorizing the mission will expire.
Given the restrictions imposed under the war-renouncing Constitution, Japan
chose to provide fuel and water to foreign naval vessels participating in
U.S.-led efforts to interdict ships linked to terrorism in the region.
But the DPJ has insisted on the importance of civilian aid missions.
Among alternative measures, the government is considering enhancing support
through such means as job training, agricultural technology teaching and
medical support.
==Kyodo