Japan sending two envoys to
Middle East to help in anti-terror effort
By David Allen, Okinawa
bureau chief
Japan will send two envoys to three Middle East countries as part of the nation’s
contribution to an international crackdown on terrorists.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi announced he is sending former Prime Minister Ryutaro
Hashimoto and former Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura to Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Iran to
work with those countries in establishing an "anti-terrorist" network, according
to Koizumi’s office.
Koizumi said he believes Japan’s independent diplomatic channels will play an
important role in support of the expected U.S. retaliation against Osama bin Laden, and
his organization, al-Qaida.
Hashimoto will meet with officials in Egypt in early October and Komura will visit
Saudi Arabia and Iran, a Japan Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
The three countries have large Islamic fundamentalist factions connected to al-Qaida
and face possible internal strife if the U.S. military attacks al-Qaida strongholds in
Afghanistan.
In Washington on Wednesday, Koizumi visited the White House and the Pentagon, which was
damaged by a hijacked airliner that plunged into it the same morning two planes destroyed
the World Trade Center in New York.
He said Japan is ready to stand by the United States to fight terrorism. "We must
fight terrorism with determination and a patience," Koizumi said.
Mindful of the criticism Japan drew during the Gulf War, when the country made a
financial contribution to the allied effort but declined to send troops, Koizumi has
ordered the Japanese Self-Defense Force to provide medical services, transportation and
supplies to U.S. forces gathering in the Indian Ocean.
Japan also is increasing security surrounding U.S. bases in the country.
Komura’s trip to Iran is considered especially important because the United States
does not have diplomatic relations with that country.
Japanese newspapers on Thursday reported that President Bush requested Koizumi’s
help in getting Iran’s support for the anti-terrorism campaign. Komura reportedly has
been authorized to offer Iran economic aid for its cooperation.
Iran, which shares a border with Afghanistan, is considered a key to any successful
movement against bin Laden and his organization.
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