Japan's Foreign Minister Okada vows support for Pakistan+

ISLAMABAD, Oct. 12 Kyodo -
Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada vowed to step up support, notably in
electric power supply and economic areas, to stabilize the situation in
Pakistan as he met with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday, a
Japanese Foreign Ministry official said.

The two did not discuss Japan's plan to end the refueling mission in the Indian
Ocean, but Okada told his Pakistani counterpart, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood
Qureshi, in separate talks that it is difficult to ''simply'' extend the
mission beyond the January expiration of a law authorizing it.
Okada's often-repeated phrase ''simply'' has raised speculation that he may
leave room for the possibility of extending the mission. But he hinted to
reporters the same day in Islamabad that he believes the circumstances would
not allow an extension.
Noting the need to submit a bill to extend the mission during the upcoming
extraordinary Diet session, Okada said, ''A plan to deliberate a bill for an
extension is not being discussed. Submitting it requires various arrangements
and the reality is that it is difficult.''
Okada's visit to Pakistan, which follows his stay in Afghanistan, comes as
Japan is considering how to boost its contribution to rebuilding Afghanistan
while planning to terminate its refueling mission in support of U.S.-led
antiterrorism operations in and around the country.
Okada's pledge to offer support to Pakistan indicates that Japan thinks the
stabilization of the country, which is adjacent to Afghanistan and is working
to defeat terrorism, is essential for Afghanistan's reconstruction efforts.
Meanwhile, Okada was quoted as telling Zardari that Japan is proposing a
nuclear-free Asia, apparently urging Pakistan to make efforts for nuclear
disarmament, including dealing with its nuclear weapons program.
But Zardari showed reluctance, saying that he wants to work toward a
nuclear-free South Asia but there is a need for India to be persuaded in order
to push for such an idea.
The series of meetings with key Pakistani officials were held after Okada made
a surprise visit to Afghanistan on Sunday and traveled to Pakistan the same
day.
Pakistan is among the countries that depend on the Japanese Maritime
Self-Defense Force refueling mission, which has been conducted for most of the
period since the end of 2001. But Japan is planning a policy change, given that
the Democratic Party of Japan, which opposes the mission, took the reins of
government in September.
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani expressed hope that Japan would
continue the mission during a meeting with Okada on Sunday. But Okada told him
that Japan is considering what kind of action it can take after the mission
expires.
Gilani also asked Okada to enhance support for people displaced by Islamabad's
army operations against Islamic militants.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's nuclear issue has also been raised during a meeting
between Okada and Qureshi on Monday.
Okada expressed regret about the reluctance of Pakistan to start negotiations
for a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty and urged the country to sign the
Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty at an early date.
The proposed cut-off treaty mainly aims at banning production of highly
enriched uranium and plutonium, which could be used in producing nuclear arms.
Qureshi was quoted as telling Okada that the situation in South Asia has not
been stabilized.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Okada will visit Jakarta to hold meetings with senior
government officials. He also plans to go to Padang, the capital of quake-hit
West Sumatra Province, to convey his sympathies to victims of the disaster,
according to the ministry.
==Kyodo
2009-10-12 22:33:27