ID :
149131
Mon, 11/08/2010 - 02:22
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/149131
The shortlink copeid
Recalled Japanese ambassador returning to Moscow
+
TOKYO, Nov. 7 Kyodo -
Japan had its ambassador to Russia return Sunday to Moscow after recalling him
last Wednesday following Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Kunashiri
Island off Hokkaido, one of four Russian-held islands claimed by Japan.
''I'm returning (to Moscow) as the purpose of my temporary homecoming has been
accomplished,'' Japanese Ambassador to Russia Masaharu Kono told reporters
before flying out from Narita airport.
Kono also said he would be working hard performing his duties upon returning to
the Russian capital, including preparation for a possible meeting between Prime
Minister Naoto Kan and Medvedev on the sidelines of the upcoming summit of the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum to be held in Yokohama from Nov. 13.
Government sources said earlier that Tokyo was likely to have the ambassador
stay until the end of the two-day summit.
However, Tokyo apparently changed its plan as, by having the ambassador return
to Russia before the APEC summit, it hopes to accelerate its arrangements with
Moscow for the meeting between Kan and Medvedev on the sidelines of the summit,
political observers said.
Upon returning to Tokyo, Kono briefed Kan and Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara on
the president's Kunashiri visit. Kan later quoted Kono as reporting that
Medvedev's trip had been motivated by ''internal elements in Russia.''
Kan ordered Kono to gather more detailed information on the issue as Russian
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said earlier last week that Medvedev is planning
to visit other disputed islands, government sources said.
Medvedev who visited Kunashiri last Monday was the first leader from Russia or
the former Soviet Union to set foot on any of the islands, which also include
Etorofu, Shikotan and the Habomai islet group.
The four islands off Hokkaido were seized by the Soviet Union between Aug. 28
and Sept. 5, 1945, following Japan's surrender in World War II on Aug. 15.
Japan claims the islands have been occupied illegally.
==Kyodo
2010-11-07 23:43:53
TOKYO, Nov. 7 Kyodo -
Japan had its ambassador to Russia return Sunday to Moscow after recalling him
last Wednesday following Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Kunashiri
Island off Hokkaido, one of four Russian-held islands claimed by Japan.
''I'm returning (to Moscow) as the purpose of my temporary homecoming has been
accomplished,'' Japanese Ambassador to Russia Masaharu Kono told reporters
before flying out from Narita airport.
Kono also said he would be working hard performing his duties upon returning to
the Russian capital, including preparation for a possible meeting between Prime
Minister Naoto Kan and Medvedev on the sidelines of the upcoming summit of the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum to be held in Yokohama from Nov. 13.
Government sources said earlier that Tokyo was likely to have the ambassador
stay until the end of the two-day summit.
However, Tokyo apparently changed its plan as, by having the ambassador return
to Russia before the APEC summit, it hopes to accelerate its arrangements with
Moscow for the meeting between Kan and Medvedev on the sidelines of the summit,
political observers said.
Upon returning to Tokyo, Kono briefed Kan and Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara on
the president's Kunashiri visit. Kan later quoted Kono as reporting that
Medvedev's trip had been motivated by ''internal elements in Russia.''
Kan ordered Kono to gather more detailed information on the issue as Russian
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said earlier last week that Medvedev is planning
to visit other disputed islands, government sources said.
Medvedev who visited Kunashiri last Monday was the first leader from Russia or
the former Soviet Union to set foot on any of the islands, which also include
Etorofu, Shikotan and the Habomai islet group.
The four islands off Hokkaido were seized by the Soviet Union between Aug. 28
and Sept. 5, 1945, following Japan's surrender in World War II on Aug. 15.
Japan claims the islands have been occupied illegally.
==Kyodo
2010-11-07 23:43:53
