World News

Japan calls for new U.N. resolution

Japan appeared to support the U.S. policy on Iraq on Feb. 18, telling the U.N. Security Council it is "desirable" to adopt a new resolution showing Iraq has not fully complied in dismantling its weapons of mass destruction.

But Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Feb. 19 in Tokyo that Japan expressed its support for a new resolution in order to promote a unified international stance on Iraq, not to give its support to a U.S.-led attack.

Speaking during a two-day open debate in the Security Council in which noncouncil member countries aired their positions on Iraq, Japanese Ambassador Koichi Haraguchi cast doubt on the effectiveness of stepped-up inspections in Iraq, as proposed by France, Germany and other countries.

"Even if the inspections were to be continued and strengthened, they will hardly lead to the elimination of its weapons of mass destruction unless Iraq fundamentally changes its attitude of cooperating only passively," he told the council.

Of the representatives from the 27 countries and organizations who took part in the debate, only Japan and Australia supported a hard-line stance toward Iraq. The prevailing view of the others was that more time should be given to weapons inspectors and all peaceful means to resolve the issue should be explored.

Shukan ST: Feb. 28, 2003

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