ID :
158582
Mon, 01/31/2011 - 17:38
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/158582
The shortlink copeid
Japan gov't to use chartered planes to rescue Japanese from Egypt
TOKYO, Jan. 31 Kyodo - The Japanese government decided Monday morning to use chartered aircraft to rescue Japanese in Egypt from the growing unrest there, with the first plane slated to leave Cairo International Airport for Rome later in the day.
The Japanese Foreign Ministry's emergency task force endorsed a plan for the planes to make three round trips between Cairo and Rome on Monday to rescue Japanese stranded in Egypt following massive antigovernment protests.
According to the Foreign Ministry, about 1,600 Japanese were staying in Egypt as of Monday. The government is aiming to have them leave as soon as possible using both regular commercial flights and the chartered aircraft, which can each transport 180 people.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano told a news conference that Japan will take additional steps to deal with the Japanese who cannot be accommodated on the chartered planes.
Edano also said the Japanese embassy there sent medical officers to check on Japanese who were stranded at the airport.
''We ask (Egypt) to exercise restraint in suppressing the unrest by use of force,'' said Edano, who called on the Egyptian government to ''peacefully'' settle the upheaval and ensure the safety of Japanese nationals.
State Foreign Secretary Takeaki Matsumoto said at a press conference that Japan is calling for a dialogue between the Egyptian government and people as well as reforms in the country. But he indicated Japan is not taking sides with either the government or antigovernment demonstrators.
At 10 p.m. Sunday local time, 335 Japanese tourists among about 600 stranded at Cairo International Airport flew out of the airport on an EgyptAir plane bound for Narita airport, just outside Tokyo, the Japanese Embassy in Egypt said.
The Japanese Foreign Ministry's emergency task force endorsed a plan for the planes to make three round trips between Cairo and Rome on Monday to rescue Japanese stranded in Egypt following massive antigovernment protests.
According to the Foreign Ministry, about 1,600 Japanese were staying in Egypt as of Monday. The government is aiming to have them leave as soon as possible using both regular commercial flights and the chartered aircraft, which can each transport 180 people.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano told a news conference that Japan will take additional steps to deal with the Japanese who cannot be accommodated on the chartered planes.
Edano also said the Japanese embassy there sent medical officers to check on Japanese who were stranded at the airport.
''We ask (Egypt) to exercise restraint in suppressing the unrest by use of force,'' said Edano, who called on the Egyptian government to ''peacefully'' settle the upheaval and ensure the safety of Japanese nationals.
State Foreign Secretary Takeaki Matsumoto said at a press conference that Japan is calling for a dialogue between the Egyptian government and people as well as reforms in the country. But he indicated Japan is not taking sides with either the government or antigovernment demonstrators.
At 10 p.m. Sunday local time, 335 Japanese tourists among about 600 stranded at Cairo International Airport flew out of the airport on an EgyptAir plane bound for Narita airport, just outside Tokyo, the Japanese Embassy in Egypt said.
