ID :
165352
Wed, 03/02/2011 - 14:21
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/165352
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Russia denies military buildup plan in Far East
TOKYO, March 2 Kyodo - Russia rejected claims Wednesday that it is planning a military buildup in the Far East region including the disputed islands off Hokkaido, while Japan voiced its displeasure over Moscow's realignment moves.
Andrei Denisov, Russian first deputy foreign minister, said during sub-Cabinet level talks with Japan in Tokyo that the planned military realignment is aimed at modernizing equipment and cutting back on personnel in the region, according to Japanese officials.
Denisov made the statement following a report on Moscow's plan to deploy antiship cruise missiles and an advanced air defense system on the Kuril Islands, including the four Russian-held islands that are claimed by Japan.
The dialogue involving Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Kenichiro Sasae and Denisov came at a time when bilateral ties have reached their lowest point in years over a rekindled dispute over the four islands.
The meeting was to follow up on last month's bilateral foreign ministerial talks in Moscow, during which Seiji Maehara told his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov that the two countries should not engage in ''an unnecessary arms race'' in the Asia-Pacific region.
Japan's top government spokesman Yukio Edano said Wednesday it is ''very regrettable'' and ''irreconcilable with our country's stance'' that Russia is seeking to strengthen its military capabilities on the disputed islands.
The chief Cabinet secretary earlier in the day also said that Japan is closely watching Russian military developments in the region.
Sasae and Denisov also talked about bilateral economic exchanges and cooperation in seeking the denuclearization of North Korea during the eighth round of the strategic dialogue they began in 2007, the officials said.
The two agreed that the next round of strategic talks will be held in Moscow and that the schedule will be coordinated through diplomatic channels. The dialogue was last held in January 2010.
Japan and Russia are at odds over the sovereignty of the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri and Shikotan, as well as the Habomai islet group. They were seized by the Soviet Union following Japan's surrender in World War II on Aug. 15, 1945.
The islands are known as the Northern Territories in Japan and as the Southern Kurils in Russia. The dispute has prevented the two countries from signing an official peace treaty to end their World War II hostilities.
Andrei Denisov, Russian first deputy foreign minister, said during sub-Cabinet level talks with Japan in Tokyo that the planned military realignment is aimed at modernizing equipment and cutting back on personnel in the region, according to Japanese officials.
Denisov made the statement following a report on Moscow's plan to deploy antiship cruise missiles and an advanced air defense system on the Kuril Islands, including the four Russian-held islands that are claimed by Japan.
The dialogue involving Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Kenichiro Sasae and Denisov came at a time when bilateral ties have reached their lowest point in years over a rekindled dispute over the four islands.
The meeting was to follow up on last month's bilateral foreign ministerial talks in Moscow, during which Seiji Maehara told his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov that the two countries should not engage in ''an unnecessary arms race'' in the Asia-Pacific region.
Japan's top government spokesman Yukio Edano said Wednesday it is ''very regrettable'' and ''irreconcilable with our country's stance'' that Russia is seeking to strengthen its military capabilities on the disputed islands.
The chief Cabinet secretary earlier in the day also said that Japan is closely watching Russian military developments in the region.
Sasae and Denisov also talked about bilateral economic exchanges and cooperation in seeking the denuclearization of North Korea during the eighth round of the strategic dialogue they began in 2007, the officials said.
The two agreed that the next round of strategic talks will be held in Moscow and that the schedule will be coordinated through diplomatic channels. The dialogue was last held in January 2010.
Japan and Russia are at odds over the sovereignty of the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri and Shikotan, as well as the Habomai islet group. They were seized by the Soviet Union following Japan's surrender in World War II on Aug. 15, 1945.
The islands are known as the Northern Territories in Japan and as the Southern Kurils in Russia. The dispute has prevented the two countries from signing an official peace treaty to end their World War II hostilities.
