ID :
143700
Sun, 09/26/2010 - 09:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/143700
The shortlink copeid
Kan denies political influence in release of Chinese captain+
NEW YORK, Sept. 25 Kyodo - Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Friday in New York that prosecutors' ''comprehensive judgment'' led to the release of a Chinese fishing boat captain involved in ship collisions near the disputed Senkaku Islands, denying any political influence on the investigators' decision.
In a press conference before wrapping up his four-day visit to the United
States, Kan said the Naha District Public Prosecutors Office in Okinawa
Prefecture decided to free the captain ''by comprehensively considering the
nature of the incident and solemnly following domestic laws.''
The release of the skipper triggered an outcry among some Japanese who
interpreted it as a major diplomatic defeat for Japan.
The captain was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of deliberately
causing his vessel to collide with a Japanese Coast Guard ship near the
Japan-administered islands, which are also claimed by China and Taiwan.
China had repeatedly demanded the captain's immediate and unconditional
release, escalating tensions between the two countries with cancellations of
travel, concerts and other cultural and governmental exchanges.
The Japanese premier said Japan and China are ''important neighbors'' and that
both should be ''responsible to the international community.''
''I think it is necessary for both Japan and China to calmly make efforts to
deepen their mutually beneficial and strategic relationship,'' Kan said.
During his stay in New York to attend U.N. General Assembly meetings, the
premier held summit talks with U.S. President Barack Obama and reaffirmed that
the two countries will implement the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps'
Futenma air station within Okinawa Prefecture in line with a bilateral accord
reached in May.
At the news conference, the premier said the planned base transfer will not
move forward without gaining the understanding of local residents in Okinawa
and that he will not set a deadline for the Japanese government to secure the
consent of people in the southern Japanese prefecture.
Kan said the government will implement measures to ease base-hosting burdens on
Okinawa residents as part of its efforts to gain their understanding on the
base relocation.
The Japanese leader, who called for reform of the U.N. Security Council at a
General Assembly session, told reporters that Japan will cooperate with
Germany, India and Brazil to realize an overhaul of the powerful
decision-making body.
The four countries, which share the goal of becoming permanent members of the
council, have formed the Group of Four for lobbying.
Kan said that although some U.N. members such as China and Italy are against
the G-4's bid, he believes they share the view that reform is needed to reflect
the changing realities of the international community.
The premier said he is confident that reform of the council will be eventually
realized if concerned parties devise ways to resolve contentious issues such as
the provision of veto power.
==Kyodo
In a press conference before wrapping up his four-day visit to the United
States, Kan said the Naha District Public Prosecutors Office in Okinawa
Prefecture decided to free the captain ''by comprehensively considering the
nature of the incident and solemnly following domestic laws.''
The release of the skipper triggered an outcry among some Japanese who
interpreted it as a major diplomatic defeat for Japan.
The captain was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of deliberately
causing his vessel to collide with a Japanese Coast Guard ship near the
Japan-administered islands, which are also claimed by China and Taiwan.
China had repeatedly demanded the captain's immediate and unconditional
release, escalating tensions between the two countries with cancellations of
travel, concerts and other cultural and governmental exchanges.
The Japanese premier said Japan and China are ''important neighbors'' and that
both should be ''responsible to the international community.''
''I think it is necessary for both Japan and China to calmly make efforts to
deepen their mutually beneficial and strategic relationship,'' Kan said.
During his stay in New York to attend U.N. General Assembly meetings, the
premier held summit talks with U.S. President Barack Obama and reaffirmed that
the two countries will implement the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps'
Futenma air station within Okinawa Prefecture in line with a bilateral accord
reached in May.
At the news conference, the premier said the planned base transfer will not
move forward without gaining the understanding of local residents in Okinawa
and that he will not set a deadline for the Japanese government to secure the
consent of people in the southern Japanese prefecture.
Kan said the government will implement measures to ease base-hosting burdens on
Okinawa residents as part of its efforts to gain their understanding on the
base relocation.
The Japanese leader, who called for reform of the U.N. Security Council at a
General Assembly session, told reporters that Japan will cooperate with
Germany, India and Brazil to realize an overhaul of the powerful
decision-making body.
The four countries, which share the goal of becoming permanent members of the
council, have formed the Group of Four for lobbying.
Kan said that although some U.N. members such as China and Italy are against
the G-4's bid, he believes they share the view that reform is needed to reflect
the changing realities of the international community.
The premier said he is confident that reform of the council will be eventually
realized if concerned parties devise ways to resolve contentious issues such as
the provision of veto power.
==Kyodo
