Japan PM claims establishing good ties with Russia, China, US leaders

24/9 Tass 164

TOKYO, September 24 (Itar-Tass) - New Japanese premier Yukio Hatoyama
claimed that he had achieved his main aims at the current UN General
Assembly session and had been able to establish relations of confidence
with the Chinese, Russia, US and South Korean leaders.

This idea was expressed by Cabinet Chief Secretary Hirofumi Hirano,
speaking at a news conference here on Thursday.
"I was told," he said, "that the premier was able to establish
relations of confidence with the leaders of the above countries and
received a substantial response to his words at meetings with them in New
York."
Hatoyama was elected to the premiership on September after the
Democratic Party he heads, won a major victory at the general elections in
Japan. Earlier, it had been always in opposition.
Among priorities of his diplomacy, the new premier calls establishment
of more equal relations with the US in the framework of the close
bilateral alliance and development of cooperation with Russia, including
quick progress in talks on concluding a peace treaty. Hatoyama also drums
up support for stepping up the dialogue, aimed at setting up an East Asian
community, called upon to ensure economic integration in the region.
Hatoyama repeatedly stated that he pays special attention to meetings
with the leaders of Russia, China, the US and South Korea, which he held
on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session this week.
-0-bur/ast