ID :
93734
Tue, 12/08/2009 - 11:41
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/93734
The shortlink copeid
PM Hatoyama Hopes to Meet with Obama on Futenma in Copenhagen
Tokyo, Dec. 7 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said Monday he hopes to meet next week with U.S. President Barack Obama to explain his position on the planned relocation of a U.S. base in Okinawa Prefecture.
Speaking to reporters, Hatoyama said he would like to meet with
Obama on the sidelines of a leaders meeting on Dec. 18 of the just-started
U.N. climate change conference in Copenhagen.
Japan is reviewing the existing plan to move the U.S. Marine Corps'
Futenma air station in Ginowan to Camp Schwab in Nago, also in the
southernmost prefecture.
But Washington rejects any major change in the plan, based on the
2006 bilateral agreement to realign U.S. bases in Japan.
Over the Futenma issue, the Social Democratic Party last week
threatened to quit the ruling coalition unless the existing plan is
scrapped.
Hatoyama has responded by deciding to spend more time to make his
conclusion. He wants to examine various options, including possible new
sites that may take over the functions of the Futenma helicopter base, in a
move to keep the SDP as a coalition partner of his Democratic Party of
Japan.
Hatoyama also told reporters that he would like to explain Tokyo's
basic policy to Washington before meeting with Obama.
Regarding where the Futenma base should be relocated, Hatoyama said
various options remain at hand.
Asked whether he will tell Obama his decision on where the base
should be moved, Hatoyama indicated he may not do so.
Commenting on his meeting with Obama last month, in which the prime
minister asked the U.S. leader to trust him on the handling of the Futenma
issue, Hatoyama said he never named a specific place.
Earlier in the day, Hatoyama met with key cabinet members including
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano
to discuss the Futenma issue.
At a news conference, Hirano said Hatoyama is gathering information
himself in an effort to make a decision.
Okada had talks with U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos for about
15 minutes. Roos is believed to have asked Tokyo to end the standoff early
by approving the existing relocation plan.
Speaking to reporters, Hatoyama said he would like to meet with
Obama on the sidelines of a leaders meeting on Dec. 18 of the just-started
U.N. climate change conference in Copenhagen.
Japan is reviewing the existing plan to move the U.S. Marine Corps'
Futenma air station in Ginowan to Camp Schwab in Nago, also in the
southernmost prefecture.
But Washington rejects any major change in the plan, based on the
2006 bilateral agreement to realign U.S. bases in Japan.
Over the Futenma issue, the Social Democratic Party last week
threatened to quit the ruling coalition unless the existing plan is
scrapped.
Hatoyama has responded by deciding to spend more time to make his
conclusion. He wants to examine various options, including possible new
sites that may take over the functions of the Futenma helicopter base, in a
move to keep the SDP as a coalition partner of his Democratic Party of
Japan.
Hatoyama also told reporters that he would like to explain Tokyo's
basic policy to Washington before meeting with Obama.
Regarding where the Futenma base should be relocated, Hatoyama said
various options remain at hand.
Asked whether he will tell Obama his decision on where the base
should be moved, Hatoyama indicated he may not do so.
Commenting on his meeting with Obama last month, in which the prime
minister asked the U.S. leader to trust him on the handling of the Futenma
issue, Hatoyama said he never named a specific place.
Earlier in the day, Hatoyama met with key cabinet members including
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano
to discuss the Futenma issue.
At a news conference, Hirano said Hatoyama is gathering information
himself in an effort to make a decision.
Okada had talks with U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos for about
15 minutes. Roos is believed to have asked Tokyo to end the standoff early
by approving the existing relocation plan.
